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Big Changes for Plum!: A Heartwarming Zoo Adventure of Friendship, Change, and New Beginnings for Middle Grade Readers
When the Athensville Zoo closes for renovations, it means big changes for Plum and all his animal friends. The fifth and final book in award-winning author Matt Phelan’s series about a young peacock whose adventures are funny, hopeful, and always kindhearted. A hilarious and highly illustrated novel perfect for reluctant readers and animal lovers everywhere.
Plum wholeheartedly believes that the Athensville Zoo is the best zoo on the planet—and the most perfect home. He and the other peacocks wander the grounds, mingling with, guiding, and delighting the visitors. He has friends in every habitat. And the Great Tree has the most comfortable branches to roost on each night. So when trucks roll in and signs are posted about the zoo undergoing a total renovation, Plum can’t think of anything worse! Where are they taking all his friends? What will happen to the Great Tree? Change is difficult, but with a little patience and help, Plum soon learns that embracing new things can make life even better.
From award-winning author Matt Phelan, Big Changes for Plum! is the fifth—and final—book in the young middle grade series about Plum the peacock and his adventures at the Athensville Zoo. With short chapters and energetic black-and-white illustrations, these novels are just right for newly independent readers. Each book in the series can stand alone and tackles an emotional theme relevant and accessible to the audience. A great choice for fans of the Mercy Watson and the Princess in Black series.
Plum wholeheartedly believes that the Athensville Zoo is the best zoo on the planet—and the most perfect home. He and the other peacocks wander the grounds, mingling with, guiding, and delighting the visitors. He has friends in every habitat. And the Great Tree has the most comfortable branches to roost on each night. So when trucks roll in and signs are posted about the zoo undergoing a total renovation, Plum can’t think of anything worse! Where are they taking all his friends? What will happen to the Great Tree? Change is difficult, but with a little patience and help, Plum soon learns that embracing new things can make life even better.
From award-winning author Matt Phelan, Big Changes for Plum! is the fifth—and final—book in the young middle grade series about Plum the peacock and his adventures at the Athensville Zoo. With short chapters and energetic black-and-white illustrations, these novels are just right for newly independent readers. Each book in the series can stand alone and tackles an emotional theme relevant and accessible to the audience. A great choice for fans of the Mercy Watson and the Princess in Black series.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2025
About the author
Matt Phelan
53 books274 followersMatt Phelan made his illustrating debut with Betty G. Birney’s The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster). Since then he has illustrated many picture books and novels for young readers, including Where I Live by Eileen Spinelli (Dial), Very Hairy Bear by Alice Schertle (Harcourt), and The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron (Simon & Schuster) winner of the 2007 Newbery Medal.
Matt studied film and theater in college with the goal of one day writing and directing movies. But his first love was always drawing, and the more he saw the wonderful world of children’s books, the more he realized that this was the place for him. Being an illustrator is in many ways like being an actor, director, cinematographer, costumer, and set designer rolled into one.
Matt writes: “I have a fascination with the decade of the 1930s. The movies were learning to talk (and in the case of King Kong, growl), the music was beginning to swing, and the nation was thrown into tremendous turmoil. On one hand, you see a level of suffering documented in the dramatic and gritty photography of Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. On the other hand, consider what the American public was flocking to see in the movie theaters: the glamour and grace of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in a series of perfect musicals. For my first book as both writer and illustrator (coming in 2009 by Candlewick Press), I naturally gravitated to this complex decade, specifically the strange world of the Dust Bowl.”
Matt studied film and theater in college with the goal of one day writing and directing movies. But his first love was always drawing, and the more he saw the wonderful world of children’s books, the more he realized that this was the place for him. Being an illustrator is in many ways like being an actor, director, cinematographer, costumer, and set designer rolled into one.
Matt writes: “I have a fascination with the decade of the 1930s. The movies were learning to talk (and in the case of King Kong, growl), the music was beginning to swing, and the nation was thrown into tremendous turmoil. On one hand, you see a level of suffering documented in the dramatic and gritty photography of Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans. On the other hand, consider what the American public was flocking to see in the movie theaters: the glamour and grace of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing in a series of perfect musicals. For my first book as both writer and illustrator (coming in 2009 by Candlewick Press), I naturally gravitated to this complex decade, specifically the strange world of the Dust Bowl.”
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 3, 2025
Change is hard and very big changes are in store for Plum and the rest of the Athensville Zoo and NO ONE is handling it well [especially Plum]. Turns out, sometimes change, though scary, can be a very good thing for everyone and this book is a lovely way to read/learn about it. A perfect way to end a truly fantastic series.
Very well done!
Thank you to NetGalley, Matt Phelan, and Harper Collins Children's Books/Greenwillow Boos for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Very well done!
Thank you to NetGalley, Matt Phelan, and Harper Collins Children's Books/Greenwillow Boos for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2025
The fifth and final book in this beginning chapter series about a perky, precocious peacock that lives at the Athensville Zoo.
Just after Hampstead turns over the title of head peacock to Plum (who accepts only if his friend Meg can be his co-head). About the same time, Plum learns that the zoo will be closed for renovation, with all animals removed from the zoo - some temporarily relocated, but others heading to other zoos with new animals being added. He hides when the zoo is emptied, to see how he can sabotage this renovation so things return to the way they were. Complicating this, he learns that the head zookeeper has been offered a job at another zoo and may leave. His efforts to prevent both of these events from happening is hilarious!
As in the other books in this series Phelan imbues Plum with an independent spirit that kids can relate to and makes some poor choices even though his intentions are good. He always comes around and remains lovable until the end of the book.
Bblack/white/gray illustrations are charming and plentiful in the book, adorning and extending the text. Phelan inserts a few full-page and double spread illustrations that serve to slow down readers so they can savor them. These illustrations with the large double-spaced font takes up space on the pages and book inviting to read by readers ready to dive into chapter books.
Highly Recommended for grades PreSchool-3.
Just after Hampstead turns over the title of head peacock to Plum (who accepts only if his friend Meg can be his co-head). About the same time, Plum learns that the zoo will be closed for renovation, with all animals removed from the zoo - some temporarily relocated, but others heading to other zoos with new animals being added. He hides when the zoo is emptied, to see how he can sabotage this renovation so things return to the way they were. Complicating this, he learns that the head zookeeper has been offered a job at another zoo and may leave. His efforts to prevent both of these events from happening is hilarious!
As in the other books in this series Phelan imbues Plum with an independent spirit that kids can relate to and makes some poor choices even though his intentions are good. He always comes around and remains lovable until the end of the book.
Bblack/white/gray illustrations are charming and plentiful in the book, adorning and extending the text. Phelan inserts a few full-page and double spread illustrations that serve to slow down readers so they can savor them. These illustrations with the large double-spaced font takes up space on the pages and book inviting to read by readers ready to dive into chapter books.
Highly Recommended for grades PreSchool-3.
August 26, 2025
The fifth and final book in this beginning/transitional chapter series about a perky, precocious peacock that lives at the Athensville Zoo.
Just after Hampstead turns over the title of head peacock to Plum (who accepts only if his friend Meg can be his co-head). About the same time, Plum learns that the zoo will be closed for renovation, with all animals removed from the zoo - some temporarily relocated, but others heading to other zoos with new animals being added. He hides when the zoo is emptied, to see how he can sabotage this renovation so things return to the way they were. Complicating this, he learns that the head zookeeper has been offered a job at another zoo and may leave. His efforts to prevent both of these events from happening is hilarious!
As in the other books in this series Phelan imbues Plum with an independent spirit that kids can relate to and makes some poor choices even though his intentions are good. He always comes around and remains lovable until the end of the book.
Black/white/gray illustrations are charming and plentiful in the book, adorning and extending the text. Phelan inserts a few full-page and double spread illustrations that serve to slow down readers so they can savor them. These illustrations with the large double-spaced font takes up space on the pages and book inviting to read by readers ready to dive
Highly Recommended for PreS-grade 2.
S.B.
Children's Literature Consultant
Just after Hampstead turns over the title of head peacock to Plum (who accepts only if his friend Meg can be his co-head). About the same time, Plum learns that the zoo will be closed for renovation, with all animals removed from the zoo - some temporarily relocated, but others heading to other zoos with new animals being added. He hides when the zoo is emptied, to see how he can sabotage this renovation so things return to the way they were. Complicating this, he learns that the head zookeeper has been offered a job at another zoo and may leave. His efforts to prevent both of these events from happening is hilarious!
As in the other books in this series Phelan imbues Plum with an independent spirit that kids can relate to and makes some poor choices even though his intentions are good. He always comes around and remains lovable until the end of the book.
Black/white/gray illustrations are charming and plentiful in the book, adorning and extending the text. Phelan inserts a few full-page and double spread illustrations that serve to slow down readers so they can savor them. These illustrations with the large double-spaced font takes up space on the pages and book inviting to read by readers ready to dive
Highly Recommended for PreS-grade 2.
S.B.
Children's Literature Consultant
February 21, 2025
First sentence: The days of summer are long and slow, warm and comfortable. The animals of the Athensville Zoo did not have a care in the world. Summer doesn't last forever, but on this late August morning, it felt like it might never end.
Premise/plot: Big Changes for Plum is the final book in the Plum series by Matt Phelan. Plum, our hero, is NOT at all comfortable with all the many, many, many changes coming to Athensville Zoo. It has been closed for renovations and almost all the animals shipped to the other locations [zoos, etc.]. Plum remains behind--by choice, sneakily. Can Plum find a way to stop change from coming? Will his friends return to the zoo?
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I have enjoyed this series so much. Some more than others--naturally. But this one was a delight. Many--like Plum--find change uncomfortable and unwelcome. I think the series as a whole should be recommended to young readers.
Premise/plot: Big Changes for Plum is the final book in the Plum series by Matt Phelan. Plum, our hero, is NOT at all comfortable with all the many, many, many changes coming to Athensville Zoo. It has been closed for renovations and almost all the animals shipped to the other locations [zoos, etc.]. Plum remains behind--by choice, sneakily. Can Plum find a way to stop change from coming? Will his friends return to the zoo?
My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I have enjoyed this series so much. Some more than others--naturally. But this one was a delight. Many--like Plum--find change uncomfortable and unwelcome. I think the series as a whole should be recommended to young readers.
October 21, 2024
In the final book of Phelan's Plum series, our peacock hero has a new adventure: leadership. It had been quite some time since I read the first in the Plum series, so I revisited it as part of my review process for this title, and it is lovely to see Plum's progression in his relationship with the rest of his ostentation (which I just Googled to learn is the name for a group of peafowl). Plum takes on a co-leadership role with peahen friend Meg, opting to stay behind while the zoo undergoes some significant changes.
+: This feels like a fitting conclusion to the story of Plum and his Athensville Zoo friends. The illustrations are as delightful as always, and the Plum series continues to be a great next step for readers looking for a follow-up to Mercy Watson.
-: Unlike other series for this age group, this book does not stand on its own without having read at least one other book in the series. There are a lot of animal and human characters whose endings will only feel truly satisfying if you know more about them, particularly Plum's favorite zookeeper's dilemma of whether to stay in Athensville or take a promotion elsewhere.
The Plum series is not the most popular in my library, but it has a few devoted fans. This will be a purchase for my school.
+: This feels like a fitting conclusion to the story of Plum and his Athensville Zoo friends. The illustrations are as delightful as always, and the Plum series continues to be a great next step for readers looking for a follow-up to Mercy Watson.
-: Unlike other series for this age group, this book does not stand on its own without having read at least one other book in the series. There are a lot of animal and human characters whose endings will only feel truly satisfying if you know more about them, particularly Plum's favorite zookeeper's dilemma of whether to stay in Athensville or take a promotion elsewhere.
The Plum series is not the most popular in my library, but it has a few devoted fans. This will be a purchase for my school.
July 3, 2025
4 stars
Plum and Meg and the rest of the Athensville Zoo are all a twitter as renovations are being done at the zoo. Kevin is depressed and Ning is heartbroken. When the flock of peafowl are transferred to Grange (home of the zoo's founding family) Plum stays behind and tries to sabotage the Footure Zoo team's work.
Plum and Meg and the rest of the Athensville Zoo are all a twitter as renovations are being done at the zoo. Kevin is depressed and Ning is heartbroken. When the flock of peafowl are transferred to Grange (home of the zoo's founding family) Plum stays behind and tries to sabotage the Footure Zoo team's work.
November 25, 2024
Good message for young readers about change yet this volume in the series held my interest the least.
April 11, 2025
Another fantastic addition to the Plum saga!
May 24, 2025
My granddaughter loved it
September 24, 2025
Plum lives in a zoo and likes it. But things are changing in the zoo so Plum is getting worried, especially worried about his home and the big robot. Changes can be scary. I like that Plum gets help from friends. I like that they have a sing-a-long together. I like that Plum learns that changes can be a good thing. (review by Samantha, 5th grade)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews