My Own Lightning

by Lauren Wolk
read by Emily Rankin

Review posted 2/4/2024.
Listening Library, 2022. 7 hours, 22 minutes.
Review written January 16, 2023, from a library eaudiobook.
Starred Review
2023 Sonderbooks Stand-out:
#6 More Children's Fiction

My Own Lightning is a sequel to the amazing and Newbery-Honor-winning Wolf Hollow. It had been a long time since I read Wolf Hollow, but I didn't feel lost with this book. However, I do think it's better to read the first book first, since this one does give away some things that happened in the first book.

Set in a farming community during World War II, this book begins with Annabelle being struck by lightning. Someone beats her chest and saves her life, but she doesn't know who. And after it happens, she now can understand animals, with a connection like nothing she ever experienced before.

So when a new neighbor has a lot of dogs in his barn and their own dog is missing, Annabelle can't resist investigating. Meanwhile, a kid who did some awful things a year ago is also missing a dog. And Annabelle starts getting some reasons to look at him differently. But what is right?

This is a book about seeing people -- and animals -- more deeply than what meets the eye. Like Wolf Hollow, it's a thoughtful and meditative book. Perfect for animal-loving kids.