Because of the Rabbit

Because of the Rabbit (2019) is a middle-grade realistic fiction novel by Newbery Medal winner, Cynthia Lord. Lord grew up in New England, settling in Maine where she lives with her family and several pets, including multiple rescue bunnies. Lord’s teaching background, devotion to animals and support of animal rescue shelters is reflected in her books, which aim to educate as well as entertain young readers.

The text is a coming-of-age story. Emma, the protagonist, learns how to be herself as she navigates making friends and attending school for the first time. The novel explores themes such as The Importance of Authenticity, The Complexity of Making Friends, and how Change Is Hard but Potentially Rewarding.

Plot Summary

Emma, a rising fifth grader, lives with her parents and older brother Owen in northern Maine, where her father works as a Game Warden who enforces fishing and hunting laws. Emma has been homeschooled. Before Owen started public school the prior year, her days with Owen were filled with kayaking; messy science experiments, such as hatching frog eggs; and peaceful afternoons reading. With Owen gone, Emma feels lonely. She decides to go to public school, too, and is excited to start at Lakeview Elementary public school. The night before school, Emma goes with her father to rescue a rabbit who is stuck in a fence. Emma falls in love with the honey-colored rabbit and names him Lapi, after Monsieur Lapin, a trickster rabbit who is the main character in magical stories that Emma’s beloved grandfather, Pépère, used to tell.

Emma’s grandparents have passed, but Pépère’s stories continue to provide strength and encouragement for Emma, who hopes that Lapi will bring her some “rabbit magic” while settling into her new school. The first day of school does not go as well as she’d hoped. Emma has high expectations for meeting her ideal best friend, but she is paired with Jack, a classmate who is on the autism spectrum.

Jack loves to talk about animals. While working on their project at Emma’s house, Emma sees that they have a lot in common. However, since Jack does not fit her idealized view of a best friend, Emma worries that her association with him will prevent her from making other friends. She is unfairly dismissive of him at school. In addition to adjusting to new rules and routines at school, Emma worries about losing Lapi.

A girl in her school group, Iris, remembers a “missing rabbit” poster, and encourages Emma to call the family who posted it. Iris fails to mention that the missing rabbit is white. She wants to upset Emma, whom she fears is disrupting her established school friendships.

After a lot of self-reflection and with the support of her family and Jack, Emma decides to open up and be her authentic self with her classmates, even if they think she is “weird.” During her class presentation, Emma talks about being homeschooled and missing Owen, and she explains her fear of losing Lapi. The positive response she receives from everyone lets Emma know that being herself is not only acceptable, but it is freeing.

Emma knows she must do the right thing and calls the family who lost their pet rabbit. To everyone’s relief, the family confirms that Lapi is not their rabbit. Emma tells them that she saw a white rabbit, matching the description of their lost pet at the local animal shelter.

Emma ends the first week of public school confident in herself, her friendship with Jack, and her relationship with Owen. Emma is secure in her newfound understanding that it takes more than one type of friend to feel complete and that “real friends will like you for you” (154).