Description
Reece Hansen is missing two things: his father and his frog.
Reece's parents are newly separated, and his dad is now living in another city, fighting forest fires. Reece struggles to get used to daily life without him. When he loses his pet frog, Burgess, Reece puts posters up around the neighborhood. But frogs are difficult to find. It takes an unusual classmate, the boy who wears a bathrobe to school, to pull Reece's attention away from Burgess. Through his new friend and a camping trip with his mom, Reece learns that friends can come in human form and families are resilient even when things change.
The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Contributor Notes
Laurie Elmquist holds an MA in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Windsor in Ontario. She enjoys writing for kids, and is the author of Beach Baby, Forest Baby and Where’s Burgess?, which was inspired by a Lost Frog poster she saw on a camping trip. Laurie teaches at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia, and is an online instructor at the University of Calgary in Alberta
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 6 to 8
- Grade:
- 1 to 3
- Reading age:
- 6 to 8
Awards
- , Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award
- Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Book Awards - Chapter Books / Early Novels
- Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection
Editorial Reviews
"Any reader who has lost a loved one will enjoy this poignant story with its upbeat characters and supportive family members. Its brief text and simple line drawings make it ideal for beginning chapter book readers."
— Resource Links
"A gentle, realistic early chapter book. "
— Kirkus Reviews
"Understated…Elmquist writes movingly about Reece's struggle with his parents' 'trial separation,' and his emotions are also evident in Parkins's moody b&w illustrations."
— Publishers Weekly
"Where's Burgess? paints a world that children can relate to…The illustrations in the book are excellent and put on the page exactly what was in my mind…Enduring and memorable. [Where's Burgess?] has the perfect amount of complexity. It is a wonderfully modern story of how connection can combat devastation. Elmquist is a true children's writer. She doesn't just ease children into literature with this book; she eases them the world."
— Nexus Newspaper
"Where's Burgess? fits perfectly within the 'Orca Echoes' series which features character-building stories. The vocabulary level is well within an acceptable range for burgeoning readers to read on their own; however, this book also has the potential to be shared between parents and children at bedtime or by a teacher as a classroom read-aloud…For any child who has felt a sense of loss, unlike a frog desiring to blend in, this story is sure to stand out. Highly Recommended."
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials
