Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the freezing woods to protect his pack. He worries that winter by winter his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance; now in trade paperback and NOOK Book.
From the Publisher
Praise for the Shiver Trilogy:A New York Times Bestseller* "Beautiful and moving." -School Library Journal, starred review* "A lyrical tale of alienated werewolves and first love . . . [Stiefvater's] take on werewolves is interesting and original." -Publishers Weekly, starred review"Beautifully written, even poetic at times, and a perfect indulgence for readers of all ages." -BookPage
Children's Literature - Janis Flint-Ferguson
Grace has always had an interest in the wolves that lived in the wood behind her house. She watched for them and, in later years, watched out for them, especially the one with the stunning yellow eyes. When wolves kill her classmate's brother, the town goes crazy and begins to hunt the wolves. Grace just cannot allow that to happen and steps into the situation to protect the wolves, coming away with an understanding that the wolves are not just wolves, but young men and women who change into wolves as the temperatures dip and the weather becomes icy cold. The young man with the yellow eyes, Sam, becomes Grace's boyfriend and so begins a direct connection to the strange group of people who live their lives in two worlds. Her classmate calls on Grace to explain what's happened to her brother Jack, who may now be a wolf himself. Told from the points of view of the two protagonists, this novel explores the love story between Grace and Sam, but also introduces a world where werewolves exist as part of the natural world, creatures to be loved and feared. The subtlety of the fantasy intertwines with a concern for wolves and the difficult existence of being human and animal. Shiver is a teen love story that is difficult to put down, gently haunting its readers with the agony of lost identity and a hope for the impossible. Reviewer: Janis Flint-Ferguson
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up—For years, Grace has been fascinated watching the wolves that inhabit the woods behind her house in the winter. She is particularly drawn to one wolf, and his startling yellow eyes seem to watch her in return. Grace already suspected that the wolves are more than what they seem when a boy named Sam, with the same yellow eyes, appears on her back porch. Confirming her theory, Sam shares his secret with Grace: he is a werewolf. Building on a connection forged over the years, the two fall in love, only to be faced with the prospect of being separated forever as Sam suspects his next change into wolf form will be permanent. The story unfolds alternately from Grace's and Sam's points of view. Narrators Jenna Lamia and David Ledoux deliver solid performances of Maggie Stiefvater's novel (Scholastic, 2009). Lamia's youthful and earnest voice lends authenticity to her portrayal of the strong and independent Grace, while Sam's humor and vulnerability is highlighted by Ledoux. The narrators give additional depth to the well-drawn characters. Twilight fans are sure to gravitate towards this supernatural love story, but the novel's inevitable comparison to that saga should not keep others from the experience.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL
