"I loved this book. It's one of those books that you just want to give
to everybody." --Nancy Pearl on NPR's Morning Edition "An astute,
engaging debut" (Publishers Weekly), The Trouble with Goats and Sheep is
a quirky and utterly charming tale of a community in need of
reconciliation and two girls learning what it means to belong.England,
1976. Mrs. Creasy is missing and the Avenue is alive with whispers. The
neighbors blame her sudden disappearance on the heat wave, but
ten-year-olds Grace and Tilly aren't convinced, and decide to take
matters into their own hands. Spunky, spirited Grace and quiet,
thoughtful Tilly go door to door in search of clues. The cul-de-sac
starts to give up its secrets, and the amateur detectives uncover more
than they ever imagined. A complicated history of deception begins to
emerge--everyone on the Avenue has something to hide. During that
sweltering summer, the lives of all the neighbors begin to unravel. The
girls come to realize that the lies told to conceal what happened one
fateful day about a decade ago are the same ones Mrs. Creasy was
starting to peel back just before she disappeared... "A thoughtful tale
of loyalty and friendship, family dynamics and human nature" (Kirkus
Reviews), this glorious debut is part coming-of-age story, part mystery.
The Trouble with Goats and Sheep radiates an unmistakable warmth and
intelligence and is "rife with tiny extraordinaries" (The New York Times
Book Review). "Joanna Cannon is an author to watch" (Booklist, starred
review).
