In his follow-up to Ring On Deli, Eric Giroux returns to the hard-luck hamlet of Pennacook, Massachusetts, for a comic novel about small towns and democracy. Wendy Zhou has just lost her father and is off to a brawling start in Pennacook, where floods have canalized roads and “dumpster living” is the next big thing. She finds a new sense of mission after joining the other middle-schoolers staffing the town paper, the Pennacook Beat. But when dark forces--including a curmudgeonly tech visionary--aim to sell the town (“some assembly required”) and plunk a giant dome over it, can a still-shattered Wendy find the strength to fight them?
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Zodiac Pets is a colorful, sparklingly funny drama starring a sprightly protagonist and a frequently compelling storyline. It boasts a consistently charming yet thought-provoking narrative that takes a biting look at the brutal world of American idealism.
Prose: Giroux's wiring style is both wryly humorous and sincere, neatly carving an accessible novel that demands the readers attention from the off. Moreover, the streets of Pennacook, Massachusetts are vividly and diligently brought to life with nimble attention to detail.
Originality: Zodiac Pets, told from the perspective of college-age Wendy looking back at her younger self, features a vivacious cast of characters and a stirring plot. Giroux's intricate, incisive writing and nicely balanced storyline create an absorbing blend that deals head on with often complex themes.
Character/Execution: Giroux's well rounded protagonist, Wendy Zhou, is mourning the loss of her father while forging a new life for herself in dilapidated Pennacook. Furthermore, Zodiac Pets features a fine supporting cast of quirky and offbeat characters coupled with subtle observations of U.S. society and city life.
Blurb: An absorbing and vibrant teen drama.
Date Submitted: May 06, 2024
As Wendy’s curiosity ignites a mission to unravel the mysteries behind the town’s plight. Giroux weaves a gripping narrative, laced with humor, that interrogates and encourages reflection on individuals’ susceptibility to the influence of those in power. As Wendy navigates the complexities of middle school relationships, or in her case the lack thereof, she becomes increasingly aware of the townspeople’s unquestioning acceptance of their situation without question, a classic coming-of-age discovery—adults don’t always actually know what they’re doing!—that here is developed with incisive power.
This quest persists into Wendy’s college years. As a senior, she digs deeper into the reasons behind Pennacook’s decline and seeks companionship with Lena whose tendencies mirror Wendy’s suicidal father. The story serves as a poignant reminder of how easy it is to succumb to the status quo, relinquishing our responsibility in the process. Through Wendy’s eyes, readers see how unquestioning acceptance can lead to our own undoing, making this a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Takeaway: Resonant novel of a young journalist digging at hard truths about her hometown.
Comparable Titles: Paul Murray’s The Bee Sting, Brandon J. Wolf’s A Place for Us.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
