The Trouble with Goats and Sheep

 

After a few months of adjusting to staying at home and dealing with a pandemic, our book club decided to try continuing regular meetings via Zoom. It was a little challenge to figure out all the logistics, and we know we have some that struggled, but it was the best we could do in the circumstances.

We chose a clever little book called "The Trouble with Goats and Sheep" by Joanna Cannon as our June choice. The story follows Grace and her friend Tillie, both young girls in England, as they explore their neighborhood in search of clues to a woman's disappearance. It was perfect to read in the summer, as the story unfolds during an unusually warm summer in the 1970's. 

The two girls learn about the neighbors, some of what they know and some things they have to hide. It seems like all the neighbors aren't what they seem, and they all have something that might answer the reasons for the mystery. The adventures give insight into judgement, honesty, and the dangers of secrets. 

And in the middle of it all, they see Jesus on a drainpipe, and the experience draws the entire neighborhood together in a quirky, and interesting twist. We really enjoyed this story and all it's unique flair. 

“And I decided it really was true after all. You only really need two people to believe in the same thing, to feel as though you just might belong.”

― Joanna Cannon, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep