Lara’s Gift
Young Lara is being groomed in the family tradition to take over as Count Vorontsov’s next kennel steward, breeding borzoi dogs worthy of the Tsar. But when Lara’s baby brother is born, she finds herself supplanted as her father decides to make her brother the next kennel steward. Lara has a special gift of understanding these incredible dogs—a gift that her father eyes with fear and superstition. Can Lara convince him to let her fulfill her destiny with the noble borzoi? And can she save her favorite dog, Zar, and the rest of the borzoi from a hungry pack of wolves threatening life on the estate?
Set in Imperial Russia, full of color and authenticity, this is a powerful story of one girl’s love for her dog—and her desire to fulfill her prophetic dreams and destiny.
Praise
2015 Hawaii’s Nene Award Book List
2014 Hawaii’s Nene Award Book List
2013 California Book Award Finalist
2013 Northern California Book Award Finalist
2013 ALA Amelia Bloomer Book Nominee
2013 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist
2013 Scholastic Book Club Pick
2010 Katherine Paterson Prize Finalist
2009 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Clarion Award
“Powerful and engrossing!” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Compelling historical fiction … a powerful story about the bond between dogs and humans, and fathers and daughters.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“In Lara’s Gift, Annemarie O’Brien also preserves the past by submerging us in a time and place that is now gone and where we are held captive by its beauty and elegance, as well as its contradictions and inequalities. She vividly reconstructs everyday estate life—the echoes of distant church bells, the sounding of the horn, the stark cruelty of the hunt, and the joys and pain of birth. But most of all, she presents us with a young girl’s strength, perseverance, and enduring love for her dog.” —Alexander Woronzoff-Dashkoff, author of Dashkova: A Life of Influence and Exile
“Dog lovers especially will pick up this trail right away and eagerly track the appealing heroine’s adventures.” —Booklist
“Lara’s visions add a fantasy element to this peek into a different time.” —The Horn Book
“Lara’s visions add a fantasy element to this peek into a different time.” —ACL, 2013 Distinguished List for outstanding literary merit
“Lara’s Gift is highly recommended for historical fiction collections of both middle school and public libraries.” —Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Gold Banner rating
“A gift to anyone who loves adventure, a good story, and, above all, a beloved dog.” —Kathi Appelt, Newbery Medal author of The Underneath
“Wrapped in the rich tapestry of Imperial Russia, Annemarie O’Brien has crafted a timeless tale celebrating the unbreakable bond between dogs and their people. A must-read for history lovers and dog lovers alike!” —Bobbie Pyron, author of The Dogs of Winter and A Dog’s Way Home
“Fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this engrossing story of animal-human bonds, and of the struggle to make your dreams come true. A must-read for all who love dogs and happy endings.” —Connie Goldsmith, book reviewer for California Kids
“Boys and girls both will love this book—especially if they love dogs.” —Dori Jones Yang, author of The Forbidden Temptation of Baseball, Daughter of Xanadu, and Son of Venice
“Readers will be swept along by the challenges Lara faces …” —Mary Ann Scheuer, librarian in Berkeley Unified School District
“Lara’s Gift is simply classic children’s literature.” —Ann Jacobus, author Romancing the Dark in the City of Light
“If you love dogs, you’ll love Lara’s Gift.” —Stacy Nyikos, author of Waggers and Dragon Wishes
“Lara’s Gift gives readers a great protagonist, especially for tween girls who too often see female characters who are only worried about their looks or boyfriends.” —Penny Peck, book reviewer for Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California
“Dog lovers will cherish Lara’s Gift.” —Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens
“O’Brien’s writing is both lyrical and painterly, making scenes memorable long after the story ends. Lara’s Gift will appeal to readers who love dogs and who are interested in Russian history.” —Elizabeth Varadan, book reviewer for The Children’s Book Review
“Lara’s Gift is a story for all dog lovers but it is also a story for anyone who likes a good book.” —LitPick Book Reviews
“Lara’s Gift is a beautiful mix of fantasy and historical fiction.” —The Book Monsters
“Lara’s Gift is a great book for any dog lover.” —A Book and a Hug
“The opening of Lara’s Gift reminded me of Charlotte’s Web.” —Sommer Reading
“Lara’s Gift is the sort of book that teaches culture and history subtly … that offers the reader caviar when they are already enjoying a feast.” —Mad About MG History
“Lara’s Gift is my all time favorite book!” —Katrina, Hale Kula Library, Hawaii
“If you love dogs, Lara’s Gift is the story for you!” —Sixth Grade Books
Praise
2015 Hawaii’s Nene Award Book List
2014 Hawaii’s Nene Award Book List
2013 California Book Award Finalist
2013 Northern California Book Award Finalist
2013 ALA Amelia Bloomer Book Nominee
2013 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Finalist
2013 Scholastic Book Club Pick
2010 Katherine Paterson Prize Finalist
2009 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Clarion Award
“Powerful and engrossing!” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Compelling historical fiction … a powerful story about the bond between dogs and humans, and fathers and daughters.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“In Lara’s Gift, Annemarie O’Brien also preserves the past by submerging us in a time and place that is now gone and where we are held captive by its beauty and elegance, as well as its contradictions and inequalities. She vividly reconstructs everyday estate life—the echoes of distant church bells, the sounding of the horn, the stark cruelty of the hunt, and the joys and pain of birth. But most of all, she presents us with a young girl’s strength, perseverance, and enduring love for her dog.” —Alexander Woronzoff-Dashkoff, author of Dashkova: A Life of Influence and Exile
“Dog lovers especially will pick up this trail right away and eagerly track the appealing heroine’s adventures.” —Booklist
“Lara’s visions add a fantasy element to this peek into a different time.” —The Horn Book
“Lara’s visions add a fantasy element to this peek into a different time.” —ACL, 2013 Distinguished List for outstanding literary merit
“Lara’s Gift is highly recommended for historical fiction collections of both middle school and public libraries.” —Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Gold Banner rating
“A gift to anyone who loves adventure, a good story, and, above all, a beloved dog.” —Kathi Appelt, Newbery Medal author of The Underneath
“Wrapped in the rich tapestry of Imperial Russia, Annemarie O’Brien has crafted a timeless tale celebrating the unbreakable bond between dogs and their people. A must-read for history lovers and dog lovers alike!” —Bobbie Pyron, author of The Dogs of Winter and A Dog’s Way Home
“Fans of historical fiction are sure to enjoy this engrossing story of animal-human bonds, and of the struggle to make your dreams come true. A must-read for all who love dogs and happy endings.” —Connie Goldsmith, book reviewer for California Kids
“Boys and girls both will love this book—especially if they love dogs.” —Dori Jones Yang, author of The Forbidden Temptation of Baseball, Daughter of Xanadu, and Son of Venice
“Readers will be swept along by the challenges Lara faces …” —Mary Ann Scheuer, librarian in Berkeley Unified School District
“Lara’s Gift is simply classic children’s literature.” —Ann Jacobus, author Romancing the Dark in the City of Light
“If you love dogs, you’ll love Lara’s Gift.” —Stacy Nyikos, author of Waggers and Dragon Wishes
“Lara’s Gift gives readers a great protagonist, especially for tween girls who too often see female characters who are only worried about their looks or boyfriends.” —Penny Peck, book reviewer for Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California
“Dog lovers will cherish Lara’s Gift.” —Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens
“O’Brien’s writing is both lyrical and painterly, making scenes memorable long after the story ends. Lara’s Gift will appeal to readers who love dogs and who are interested in Russian history.” —Elizabeth Varadan, book reviewer for The Children’s Book Review
“Lara’s Gift is a story for all dog lovers but it is also a story for anyone who likes a good book.” —LitPick Book Reviews
“Lara’s Gift is a beautiful mix of fantasy and historical fiction.” —The Book Monsters
“Lara’s Gift is a great book for any dog lover.” —A Book and a Hug
“The opening of Lara’s Gift reminded me of Charlotte’s Web.” —Sommer Reading
“Lara’s Gift is the sort of book that teaches culture and history subtly … that offers the reader caviar when they are already enjoying a feast.” —Mad About MG History
“Lara’s Gift is my all time favorite book!” —Katrina, Hale Kula Library, Hawaii
“If you love dogs, Lara’s Gift is the story for you!” —Sixth Grade Books
