A boy . . .
A girl . . .
A pitiful donkey . . .

Louie doesn’t have the best luck when it comes to nurturing small creatures—not even lightning bugs, worms, or goldfish. So when his father brings home a sickly, newborn mini donkey, he’s determined to save him. He names him Winslow. Taking care of him helps Louie feel closer to his brother, Gus, who is far, far away in the army.

Everyone worries that Winslow won’t survive, especially Louie’s quirky new friend, Nora. But as Louie’s bond with Winslow grows, surprising events prove that this fragile donkey—and Louie—are stronger than anyone could have imagined.

From Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestselling author Sharon Creech comes a tale about love and friendship and letting go.

A boy . . .
A girl . . .
A pitiful donkey . . .

Louie doesn't have the best luck when it comes to nurturing small creatures'not even lightning bugs, worms, or goldfish. So when his father brings home a sickly, newborn mini donkey, he's determined to save him. He names him Winslow. Taking care of him helps Louie feel closer to his brother, Gus, who is far, far away in the army.

Everyone worries that Winslow won't survive, especially Louie's quirky new friend, Nora. But as Louie's bond with Winslow grows, surprising events prove that this fragile donkey'and Louie'are stronger than anyone could have imagined.

From Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestselling author Sharon Creech comes a tale about love and friendship and letting go.

Booklist Reviews

With older brother Gus now away in the army, 10-year-old Louie feels lonely and somewhat insecure about his own abilities. Then Dad brings home a sickly, newborn mini-donkey, and Louie is determined that the jack survive. Dubbing him Winslow, Louie teaches the creature to suckle, administers antibiotic injections when he gets sick, takes him for walks through town, and allows the diapered foal free rein of the house. But as Winslow matures, Louie's neighbors fail to appreciate his perfectly normal behaviors (i.e., braying), and it becomes clear that something must be done. Creech has created a winning protagonist in Louie: a child who is sensitive yet resilient, unfailingly kind, and determinedly optimistic despite his past experiences. Equally strong is Nora, a younger girl who has experienced her own losses: a younger brother and a dog. And while the story's outcome (a return to the farm) may be obvious, Creech's route to that conclusion is particularly skillful and satisfying. Short chapters and accessible prose make this an ideal choice for reading aloud or alone. Grades 3-5. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Determined, optimistic eleven-year-old Louie and prickly newcomer-to-town Nora bond over Winslow, the frail, orphaned baby donkey that Louie adopts. The main strand of the story involves the ups-and-downs of Winslow's health and then the challenges of keeping a braying donkey in a residential neighborhood. Woven into this narrative is a convincing portrayal of human growth and blossoming and a celebration of the unexpected strength of the vulnerable. Copyright 2019 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Horn Book Magazine Reviews

Creech interweaves the stories of three fragile babies. Two strands are backstories, and one is front, center, present, and loud. Louie had been a premature baby. Now he's eleven, but the family story of his infancy as "a pitiful, scrawny, struggling thing" has informed his outlook on life. He's determined and optimistic. Newcomer-to-town Nora lost a baby brother (who, like Louie, had been born prematurely). This experience has left her angry, anxious, and prickly. The two children bond over Winslow, an orphaned baby donkey, a frail animal not expected to survive, whom Louie adopts. The main strand of the story involves the ups-and-downs of Winslow's health and then the challenges of keeping a braying donkey in a residential neighborhood. In fine animal-hero style, the plot comes to a peak with Winslow saving the life of yet another baby—the baby next door. Woven into this narrative is a convincing portrayal of human growth and blossoming as Louie gains confidence and Nora finally allows herself to trust her present happiness. (Nora is a particularly original character about whom Creech tells us little and shows us much.) Set in an unspecified small-town past, largely free of adults and rich with unscheduled play time, the story is told simply but subtly, celebrating the unexpected strength of the vulnerable. sarah ellis Copyright 2018 Horn Book Magazine Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Louie, a remarkably optimistic 10-year-old, takes on the rearing of a fragile, newborn mini donkey whose mother is too sick to care for it. Louie and his parents feel "the enormous absence of his brother," Gus, who is serving in the military and who poignantly (and worryingly) now signs his letters, "Remember me." Winslow, the little donkey, needs constant attention to survive, and Louie, in spite of everyone's predictions of a dire outcome, gamely perseveres. The one with the most negative outlook is Nora, a new neighbor, who, it's revealed, has lost both a premature baby brother and her dog. She's attracted to Winslow but unwilling to allow herself to get attached, while Louie throws his whole heart into saving the needy animal. Her need for distance and unrelenting pessimism are both revealing and enlightening. Utilizing the spare, poetic language she's the master of, Creech gently narrates this winning tale of love and the risks it brings. In brief chapters and with few w ords she crafts dynamic characters (who are default white) and an engaging narrative with a subtle yet illuminating message on the dampening effects of negativity. The nuanced conclusion brings hope without—realistically—full resolution. Another outstanding and unforgettable story that will work well both as a read-aloud for younger listeners and as a rich offering for those recently transitioned to chapter books. (Fiction. 7-12) Copyright Kirkus 2018 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Creech (Moo) spins a heartfelt yarn about a boy's struggles trying to raise a baby donkey. Ten-year-old Louie has repeatedly struck out with animals: worms dried up, a parakeet passed on, a found kitten ran away. But when his father brings home a sickly newborn mini donkey from Uncle Pete's farm, Louie is determined to save the "pitiful-looking" creature he names Winslow. The infant requires bottle-feeding, injections, and almost constant nurturing, but Louie refuses to listen to others' pessimism, including that of his new friend Nora. As always, Creech packs a tremendous amount of emotion between the lines of her understated prose. Readers will feel Louie's longing for his older brother, who is serving in the military and signs his letters, "Remember me"; Nora's lack of hope, which stems from losing her premature baby brother; and the children's shared affection for each other and the tiny donkey. Animal lovers in particular will relish Louie's hard-won triumphs and find joy in Winslow's strength. Ages 8–12. Agent: Amy Berkower, Writers House. (Sept.)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 3–6—Ten-year-old Louie does not have a good track record for taking care of animals. Worms, goldfish, a hamster, a snake, and a lizard are only a few of the pets that died or escaped on his watch. When his father brings home a weak, orphaned newborn mini-donkey from his Uncle Pete's farm, Louie decides to do everything in his power to save him. Taking care of the donkey, which he names Winslow, helps Louie feel closer to his older brother Gus who is serving in the army. Interwoven stories of family and friendship include the girl troubles of his older friend Mack, his quirky new neighbor Nora who has experienced her own losses and is afraid to form attachments, and the hole left behind in his own family as Louie and his parents miss Gus. With short chapters, a timeless setting, and simple prose, this uplifting tale will have readers rooting for the donkey and the boy who nurses him back to health. VERDICT This heartwarming story is sure to be a hit with fans of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web and Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH