What makes a hero or a villain? Can someone be bothor neither? "e;This lush and colorful fairy tale is sure to be a delight for middle grade readers."e;School Library Journal (starred review)When the delicate balance between the people of a small country and the mythic rabbits of age-old lore is broken, putting everyone at risk, a young rabbit and a young girl must overcome their prejudices and learn to trust each other. This vivid and inventive novel from the acclaimed author of The Wolfs Curse will captivate fans of Orphan Island and Scary Stories for Young Foxes. Quincy Rabbit and his warren live a simple yet high-stakes life. In exchange for the purple carrots they need to survive, they farm and deliver Chou de vie (cabbage-like plants that grow human babies inside) to the human citizens of Montpeyroux. But lately, because of those selfish humans, there havent been enough carrots to go around. So Quincy sets out to change thatall he needs are some carrot seeds. Hell be a hero.Fleurine sees things a little differently. As the only child of the Grand Lumire, shes being groomed to follow in her mothers political footstepsno matter how much Fleurine longs to be a botanist instead. Convinced that having a sibling will shift her mothers attention, Fleurine tries to grow purple carrots, hoping to make a trade with the rabbits. But then a sneaky rabbit steals her seeds. In her desperation to get them back, she follows that rabbit all the way to the secret warrenand steals a Chou.Quincy and Fleurine have endangered not just the one baby inside the Chou, but the future of Montpeyroux itselffor rabbits and humans alike. Now, theyll have to find a way to trust each other to restore the balance.Told from both Quincys and Fleurines perspectives, The Rabbits Gift will enchant fans of Katherine Applegate, Gail Carson Levine, and Anne Ursu.
