Award-winning author Kristin O’Donnell Tubb delivers a funny and poignant middle grade contemporary novel about family and friendship as Jack deals with his parents’ divorce while also searching for a mysterious cougar in the Tennessee hills. Perfect for fans of Leslie Connor and Lynda Mullaly Hunt. A Junior Library Guild Selection!
Middle school is always hard, but when you’re known as the Roadkill Kid, well, it’s even harder. Jack’s mom collects roadkill—it’s her job, and she’s very good at it. Ever since Jack’s mom and dad got divorced, Jack has stepped into the role of Mom’s co-scientist.
One day while tending to the roadkill garden, Jack believes he spots a cougar in the wilderness beyond his backyard. A cougar in Tennessee? They’re supposed to be extinct. So, when Jack has to choose an animal to research for his Earth Science class, he picks cougar.
As pressure mounts on Jack to complete his project and to be Mom’s business partner, the mystery of the cougar feels too big to solve. Jack knows what the decomposition of an animal—and a family—looks like, so can he figure out how to bring them back to life?
- Coming of Age Story: Jack isn’t just the Roadkill Kid; he’s a son trying to hold his family together, a student with a mission, and a boy learning that healing sometimes hurts.
- Dealing with Divorce: When your family feels like it’s decomposing, what does it take to find a new beginning? Jack navigates the tough emotions of his parents’ separation with honesty and hope.
- Science and Nature: From the strange science in his own backyard’s “roadkill garden” to the search for an animal that’s not supposed to exist, Jack’s world is full of fascinating, and sometimes gross, discoveries.
- Unlikely Friendships: With a loyal, cartoon-drawing best friend and a new crush who thinks his weird life is “awesome,” Jack learns he doesn’t have to face the world alone.
- Poignant and Funny: This story masterfully blends humor (your mom collects what?!) with heartfelt moments, creating a memorable read that feels both real and hopeful.
“Daisy’s voice is strong, painting a world with canine synesthesia: happy days are yellow, untruths taste like turkey bacon. With joint appeal to children of soldiers and dog-lovers, this is likely to find a broad audience.”
