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The Willoughby Spit Wonder
(novel, published by Candlewick Press, spring 2004)
It's 1953, and Carter Johnston lives on Willoughby Spit, a narrow strip of land off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia that was formed overnight in a hurricane hundreds of years ago. The narrative traces an important summer in Carter's (and his family's) life, as his wild, humorous father slowly withers from illness. Carter happens to be a natural dreamer and schemer, a boy in love with comic books. He aspires to grow up to become Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner, or if that doesn't quite work out, some other superhero. Still, before he can ponder his future adulthood or even his approaching teen years, he must determine how to show his father that death can be averted by force of will, that both inexplicable and unforeseen miracles can and will happen if one wants them to enough.
(ages 9 and up)
Representative reviews
"For a month I have unwittingly driven around with a treasure in the trunk of my car. Stranded on a beach, I unearthed the proofs of "The Willoughby Spit Wonder," a bittersweet novel by Jonathan Scott Fuqua. Fuqua's previous novels, "Darby" and "The Reappearance of Sam Webber," have garnered numerous awards. This book should fetch a new batch of prizes if there is justice in the literary world. It is the kind of novel, by turns comical, haunting, and thrilling, that comes only once in a blue moon."
- The Boston Globe
"Candlewick Press published 2004 Newbery Medal-winner (The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo), and Candlewick could win the Newbery Medal again this year for this beautifully written novel of a young boy in 1953 Virginia struggling to come to terms with his father's terminal illness."
- The Buffalo News
"tender and poignant… Fuqua goes to great length exploring Carter's soul-deep sadness. At the end he grants the characters not happiness but wisdom, a satisfying ending for a quiet and well-wrought book."
- Publishers Weekly
"Carter, himself, is a compelling character, and his growing understanding and acceptance of the world is shown quietly through an array of accurately observed details. A subtle, engaging novel."
- Booklist
"Deft touches of humor occasionally lighten the mood, and vivid details create a strong sense of time and place. Carter's growth from an impulsive boy to a thoughtful young man is evident in this well-written story."
- School Library Journal
"Fuqua writes books for young people about complex issues… The Willoughby Spit Wonder is a bittersweet reverie of innocence imbued with a profound sense of place."
- The Virginia Pilot
"With its beach scenes, amusement park rides and glimpses of life in Cold War America, The Willoughby Spit Wonder is a great summer read for middle schoolers. In the end, with the help of his father, Carter learns to accept reality while still holding onto his dreams."
- Book Page
"This book is an excellent recommendation for middle school and junior high school students."
- VOYA
Jacket Quote:
"The Willoughby Spit Wonder is a beautiful little book, told with an unaffected simplicity that makes its sad, brave story read like a minor classic." . . . Madison Smartt Bell: author of All Souls' Rising, a National Book Award and Pen Faulkner Nominee.
Notice:
A BWI, Follet Co. TOP PICK (spring 2004)
A BookPage Notable Title, 2004
A Radio New Zealand selection, 2004
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