Rabble Starkey

Many things change for twelve-year-old Rabble Starkey, her mother, and her best friend, Veronica Bigelow, when Veronica's mother becomes mentally incapacitated and the Starkeys move in with the Bigelows. Many things change for twelve-year-old Rabble Starkey, her mother, and her best friend, Veronica Bigelow, when Veronica's mother becomes mentally incapacitated and the Starkeys move in with the Bigelows. When Rabble Starkey's grandmother saw her for the first time, she said: "Look at them sea-green eyes. Look at that ginger-colored hair. Lord, Lord, trouble lies ahead for that child." So she and Rabble's mother, Sweet-Hosanna, gave her a Bible name, Parable Ann, to stave off what trouble they could. Rabble has had her share of trouble, nonetheless, by the time she is twelve. Her father left her and her fourteen-year-old mother when Rabble was one month old. The years have been hard and uncertain. More than anything, Rabble is looking for stability, and she may have found it now, living with her mother and the Bigelows. Veronica Bigelow is twelve, too, and she's more than Rabble's best friend; she's like a sister. When illness takes Veronica's mother to a distant hospital for months, and Sweet-Hosanna must assume her role, something that feels like a family is formed. And for Rabble, it feels like forever. Lois Lowry has peopled a small Appalachian town with rich, realistic characters: Gunther Bigelow, the homeliest baby in Highriver; Millie Bellows, who spends her last lonely days staring at TV quiz shows and faded family photographs; and Norman Cox, whose world is one of weaponry. Among them Rabble is passing a year that will change her forever, and Lois Lowry is making an unforgettable statement about the nature of families and the value of growth, change, and love. - Jacket flap. First published in 1987, Rabble Starkey was one of two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry's first novels. Its powerful and thought-provoking themes continue to touch the hearts of readers today.By the time she's twelve years old, Parable Ann Starkey—better known as simply Rabble—has had her fair share of trouble. Her father left her and her teenage mother when Rabble was just one month old, and she went to live with her grandmother Gnomie until she passed away. More than anything, Rabble craves stability, and she may have found it now, living with her mother and the Bigelows.Rabble and her mother, Sweet Hosanna, have lived over the Bigelows'garage for the past four years. Veronica Bigelow is twelve, too, and she's more than Rabble's best friend; she's like a sister. When mental illness takes Veronica's mother to a distant hospital, the Starkeys move into the larger house to help Mr. Bigelow take care of Veronica's younger brother, Gunther.As the two families grow closer, Rabble feels more at home than she ever has. Something that feels like family has formed. For Rabble, it feels like forever—but can it truly last?Lois Lowry's many beloved books include Number the Stars and The Giver, both recognized with the Newbery Medal. Veronica looked over from her desk and whispered to me when she saw Mrs. Hindler go to the supply closet and take out construction paper.