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Squirrels Fall From Trees
Four feral puppies lose their mother. Aided by two old dogs, they try to survive in a suburban city, fierce and free like their mother. They hunt mice and evade both coyotes and looker-grabbers, the tall creatures that took their mother. When hunger forces them, they set out to find their father, rumored to live deep in the heart of the distant city, and to be that worst of a pet. The puppies will need to pool all their strengths as they journey through a world they know nothing about.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2024
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 26, 2024
I was lucky to get an advance copy of Squirrels Falls From Trees.
After they lose their mother, four feral puppies (named after fierce heroines from young adult literature: Bella, Hermione, Lyra, and Katniss) must learn to hunt, avoid coyotes and dog-catchers (looker-grabbers), and hopefully find a way to cross the highway without being hit by "wheelies" to make it to famed land of abundance where "Squirrels fall from trees."
The story is told from the dogs' point of view, and I was most charmed by seeing humans through their eyes. "How odd they all were, with just on thick patch of fur, at most, and all of it coming from their heads. Was it for their mommies to drag them? They were otherwise so bald. She knew their tiny noses didn't do anything. And they were forever reared on their hind legs, at risk of crashing to the ground. And they were so slow."
The story is an exciting adventure tale, but also touches on some deeper themes. Our main character, Lyra, has promised her mother she will look after her siblings and keep the family together, but as the puppies grow and their lives change, how long must she keep this commitment?
When I was a kid, I was obsessed a children's record "Hubert the Rainmaking Hippopotamus," which asks this question: "Is it more important to be loved or more important to be free?" In that story, the answer is unequivocal: it's more important to be free, and Hubert leaves to safe confines of the zoo and the people and animals who love him and returns to the wild. This was a complicated answer for me as a kid. I wanted my answer to be "free" but I also wanted love and safety.
When our puppies learn that many dogs lead pampered lives as pets and begin to bond with some kind humans, they ask themselves the same question. But the answer this novel provides is much more nuanced, sophisticated, and satisfying.
DO NOT SKIP the stunning personal essay at the end "My Pye Dog Friends." When Jaan was a child, his father was hired to help build a nuclear power plant in Tarapur, a rural town north of Bombay, where Jaan and his friends bond with a pack of feral pye dogs. The essay is haunting and lovely. Don't miss it!
After they lose their mother, four feral puppies (named after fierce heroines from young adult literature: Bella, Hermione, Lyra, and Katniss) must learn to hunt, avoid coyotes and dog-catchers (looker-grabbers), and hopefully find a way to cross the highway without being hit by "wheelies" to make it to famed land of abundance where "Squirrels fall from trees."
The story is told from the dogs' point of view, and I was most charmed by seeing humans through their eyes. "How odd they all were, with just on thick patch of fur, at most, and all of it coming from their heads. Was it for their mommies to drag them? They were otherwise so bald. She knew their tiny noses didn't do anything. And they were forever reared on their hind legs, at risk of crashing to the ground. And they were so slow."
The story is an exciting adventure tale, but also touches on some deeper themes. Our main character, Lyra, has promised her mother she will look after her siblings and keep the family together, but as the puppies grow and their lives change, how long must she keep this commitment?
When I was a kid, I was obsessed a children's record "Hubert the Rainmaking Hippopotamus," which asks this question: "Is it more important to be loved or more important to be free?" In that story, the answer is unequivocal: it's more important to be free, and Hubert leaves to safe confines of the zoo and the people and animals who love him and returns to the wild. This was a complicated answer for me as a kid. I wanted my answer to be "free" but I also wanted love and safety.
When our puppies learn that many dogs lead pampered lives as pets and begin to bond with some kind humans, they ask themselves the same question. But the answer this novel provides is much more nuanced, sophisticated, and satisfying.
DO NOT SKIP the stunning personal essay at the end "My Pye Dog Friends." When Jaan was a child, his father was hired to help build a nuclear power plant in Tarapur, a rural town north of Bombay, where Jaan and his friends bond with a pack of feral pye dogs. The essay is haunting and lovely. Don't miss it!
August 7, 2024
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this beautiful book as an ARC from BayCon in exchange for an honest review. It has been a pleasure to read.
This will be a spoiler free review.
Squirrels Fall From Trees follows the lives of four feral puppies after an unexpected tragedy. Jaan creates lively, well-developed characters with distinct skillsets, dreams, and fears. To me, one of the greatest strengths of this book is the imaginative way Jaan creates different animal cultures and cultural expectations. Seeing cultural practices circle back around in meaningful ways was a powerful and satisfying aspect of the book.
The environments, characters, and situations feel lovingly crafted, well-researched, and rich. I did not expect to find LGBT or disability representation in a book with talking animals (the animals only talk to each other, not humans), but seeing Jaan effortlessly incorporate such elements into the story was a treat.
This is an honest review, so I will say that the manuscript could benefit from another editing pass. There were typographical/formatting errors (not many), as well as a few instances where we were ‘told’ information that could have benefitted from ‘showing.’ These instances did not detract from the satisfaction of the story for me, and I was told that the book was still in editing when I received the copy, therefore they will not detract from my score.
I hope this book receives a warm and enthusiastic reception. It spoke to the animal lover in me and to my deep bond with my own dog. I hope to see more such adventures from Jaan.
This will be a spoiler free review.
Squirrels Fall From Trees follows the lives of four feral puppies after an unexpected tragedy. Jaan creates lively, well-developed characters with distinct skillsets, dreams, and fears. To me, one of the greatest strengths of this book is the imaginative way Jaan creates different animal cultures and cultural expectations. Seeing cultural practices circle back around in meaningful ways was a powerful and satisfying aspect of the book.
The environments, characters, and situations feel lovingly crafted, well-researched, and rich. I did not expect to find LGBT or disability representation in a book with talking animals (the animals only talk to each other, not humans), but seeing Jaan effortlessly incorporate such elements into the story was a treat.
This is an honest review, so I will say that the manuscript could benefit from another editing pass. There were typographical/formatting errors (not many), as well as a few instances where we were ‘told’ information that could have benefitted from ‘showing.’ These instances did not detract from the satisfaction of the story for me, and I was told that the book was still in editing when I received the copy, therefore they will not detract from my score.
I hope this book receives a warm and enthusiastic reception. It spoke to the animal lover in me and to my deep bond with my own dog. I hope to see more such adventures from Jaan.
August 5, 2024
I received an advance reader copy of "Squirrels Fall from Trees" at BayCon this year. I was immediately endeared to the four main characters: puppies Lyra, Hermione, Bella, and Katniss. After losing their mother, they must learn to survive from an early age, learning to hunt and avoid coyotes and people (called "looker-grabbers).
The way that humans are portrayed is amusing and unique. The genuine confusion and fear the puppies feel toward humans is both endearing and relatable. I was also impressed by the way the author portrays the loyalty between the puppies' pack, and how the puppies' non-human senses' were written.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys puppies and coming-of-age novels.
The way that humans are portrayed is amusing and unique. The genuine confusion and fear the puppies feel toward humans is both endearing and relatable. I was also impressed by the way the author portrays the loyalty between the puppies' pack, and how the puppies' non-human senses' were written.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys puppies and coming-of-age novels.
August 22, 2024
Full disclosure: my daughter received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. I decided I wanted to read it, too!
This was a very enjoyable book. It definitely reminded me of Lassie Come Home and the Incredible Journey. My favorite aspect was that it gave the perspective of animals who do not want to be our pets. Why would a dog not want to be spoiled, snoring on my couch? Now I understand why, although I'm still uncomfortable with that concept!
This was a very enjoyable book. It definitely reminded me of Lassie Come Home and the Incredible Journey. My favorite aspect was that it gave the perspective of animals who do not want to be our pets. Why would a dog not want to be spoiled, snoring on my couch? Now I understand why, although I'm still uncomfortable with that concept!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews