The Bigfoot Files
By: Lindsay Eagar
About This Book
From the author of Hour of the Bees comes another captivating story that deftly blurs the line between reality and magic - and will leave you wondering What if? The Loch Ness Monster. The Frogman. Bigfoot. Twelve-year-old Miranda Cho used to believe in it all, used to love poring over every strange footprint, every stray hair, everything that proved that the world was full of wonders. But that was before her mother's obsession with monsters cost Miranda her friends and her perfect school record, before Miranda found the stack of unopened bills. Now the fact that her mum is a cryptozoologist doesn't seem wonderful - it's embarrassing and irresponsible, and it could cost them everything. So Miranda agrees to go on one last creature hunt, determined to use all her scientific know-how to prove to her mother, once and for all, that Bigfoot isn't real. Then her mum will have no choice but to grow up and get a real job - one that will pay the mortgage and allow Miranda to attend the leadership camp of her dreams. But when the trip goes horribly awry, will it be Miranda who's forced to question everything she believes? A sweeping new magical realism adventure from the author of Hour of the Bees and Race to the Bottom of the Sea. A beautiful blend of love and loss, reality and magic, faith and facts - a middle-grade title ideal for fans of Katherine Rundell. Hour of the Bees was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize.
AI Overview
Title: The Bigfoot Files by Lindsay Eagar
Plot Summary: "The Bigfoot Files" is a middle-grade novel that follows the story of 12-year-old Miranda Cho, an Asian-American student who is a straight-A student and the president of the student council. Miranda's life is marked by her practicality and big aspirations, including attending a prestigious leadership camp in Washington, D.C. However, her mother, Kat, is a cryptozoologist who is obsessed with finding Bigfoot. This obsession has led to financial instability, with Miranda discovering a stack of unpaid bills and eviction notices in the silverware drawer. Desperate to save her family and her future, Miranda agrees to go on one last creature hunt with her mother, determined to prove that Bigfoot isn't real and thereby shame her mother into responsible parenting. However, the trip goes horribly awry, forcing Miranda to question everything she believes about her mother, herself, and the world around her.
Key Themes:
- Faith and Belief: The novel explores themes of faith, not just in the existence of Bigfoot but also in oneself, one's loved ones, and the world. Miranda's journey is about questioning her own beliefs and finding new faith in unexpected places.
- Mother-Daughter Relationship: The book delves into the complex relationship between Miranda and her mother, Kat. Kat's eccentricities and obsession with cryptozoology create tension and conflict, but also provide a rich backdrop for character development.
- Responsibility and Maturity: The story highlights the importance of responsibility and maturity, particularly in the context of financial stability and parental roles. Miranda's desire to save her family and her future drives much of the plot.
Critical Reception:
- Kirkus Reviews: The book is described as a quirky mother-daughter story with well-developed characters. While it is praised for its detailed descriptions and complex internal dialogues, it is also noted that these elements sometimes slow down the pace and plot.
- Goodreads: The book is generally well-received by readers, who appreciate its engaging storyline and relatable characters. However, some readers find the detailed descriptions overwhelming at times.
- Book Reviews: Other reviews highlight the book's ability to balance humor and seriousness, making it an enjoyable read for middle-grade readers. The character development of both Miranda and Kat is particularly praised for its depth and nuance.
Overall, "The Bigfoot Files" is a heartwarming and engaging novel that explores themes of faith, family dynamics, and personal growth through the lens of a cryptozoology adventure.