Henry is very much interested in chickens, not as food, but as beings. Henry wants to be Tobin’s friend, which is hard for him to understand. Tobin meets Henry Otis, a boy new to the school. One of the teachers described him as “One Bad Apple and snot-nosed punks.” This may give you an idea about how many people felt about Tobin’s family, but as you read you will discover what is the real problem for all of the McCauleys. Tobin McCauley has led a strange life since his mother died five years ago. This novel is only 116 pages in length, but it touches the reader emotionally and leaves you thinking about the story long after you have finished reading.įrances O’Roark Dowell is the author of this novel. They realize that they have not reached a time that is right for them to stop living. Together they learn from Blossom one of the many secrets of life that will raise the darkness from their own lives. Pearl and Toby share a darkness in their lives – Toby’s because of cancer and Pearl’s because of the murder of her husband. She knows about milking cows, reading poetry, and learning the secrets of life from animals like Blossom and Geraldine the cat. Pearl was born into a world where there were no televisions, or computers, or cell phones. Pearl is not a witch, she is a 94-year-old who is from a world very different from the world Toby has grown up in. His first impressions are formed by the sign on the door, “Whoever Steals My Freedom Takes My Life.” Initially, he thinks Pearl is a witch with white hair flying and a crooked stick. Toby meets Pearl through the cow, Blossom. He and his mom are supposed to be doing something “normal” like taking a vacation. Toby Steiner is 11-years-old and has just completed cancer treatment. His mother would have a fit if she knew.”

She just kept gazing at him with her huge brown eyes, like she was in love or something. “Toby knew he was in trouble, but the cow didn’t.

Defiance by valerie hobbs