Stand Up and Whistle, by Phyllis Perry | Book Spotlight

The Children’s Book Review | July 19, 2016

Age Range: 8-12

Paperback: 164 pages

Stand Up and Whistle

Written by Phyllis Perry

Illustration by Agnieszka Grochalska

Publisher’s Synopsis: When seventh grader Jeannie learns that Keelor Construction plans to exterminate two prairie dog colonies to make way for construction projects, she takes immediate action. From taking part in a protest, to organizing a petition drive, to speaking before city council, Jeannie fights to save the threatened animals. She manages to balance this activism with her schoolwork and auditioning for the school talent show with her best friend, Mary Jo. With support from her friends, schoolmates, family, and other adults, Jeannie learns the power of people acting together, and that anyone can make a difference if they decide to act.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Amberjack Publishing | 2016 | ISBN-13: 978-0997237757

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Praise

“Stand Up and Whistle is an intelligently written work that young readers will certainly enjoy. It powerfully combines social protest, environmentalism, and some very effective education on ecosystems—especially as it pertains to the often-overlooked role of more modest creatures like prairie dogs.”–The Children’s Book Review

Read our exclusive interview: Phyllis Perry Discusses Stand Up and Whistle

About the Author

As a teacher in California, New Jersey, and Colorado, Phyllis J. Perry was always looking for the best, most interesting books she could find for her students. Not always successful in finding exactly what she wanted, she promised herself that one day she would write to fill that void. Retired and writing full time now, she has published more than eighty books for children and adults.

Many of her books have been about animals. She has written about training rescue dogs, about poisonous sea creatures off the coast of Australia, about tigers, crocodiles, bats and even mice. It was only natural that the plight of prairie dogs would catch her attention and result in a book for young readers. Since she lives in Colorado, just a short drive from Rocky Mountain National Park, it is also natural that several of her nonfiction books are about the park and some of the exciting historical figures involved in its creation.

Phyllis loves the theater, not only attending plays in her area, but also acting in roles in local venues. She enjoys sight-seeing trips to National Parks, especially in Alaska. When she isn’t writing, in the theater, or sight-seeing, she can often be found immersed in reading a good British mystery.

About the Illustrator

Agnieszka Grochalska is an artist living and working in Poland. Agnieszka works predominantly in the medium of digital art, but is also familiar with a variety of traditional art techniques.