by Jean Little
First published 1999
Max stares across the busy road that separates his family from their destination. The Park waits on the other side, but the constant stream of traffic makes crossing impossible. His family has dreamed of reaching this place for as long as he can remember. Other hedgehogs have tried before, but none have discovered a safe passage through the rushing vehicles. Max possesses more intelligence than most hedgehogs his age. He refuses to accept that the road creates an permanent barrier. While others see only danger, Max sees a puzzle waiting to be solved. He studies the traffic patterns and searches for gaps between the speeding cars. The young hedgehog knows his family depends on him to find the answer. At the heart of his quest lies a simple truth about growing up and taking responsibility for those you love.
Genres: animals, family-life, coming-of-age
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-obstacles
Setting: Park
Paperback · Gomer Press