Like a Duck

by Deborah Kerbel

From the author of My Deal with the Universe, a lighthearted, tender story of a girl and her steadfast duck.

I spend a lot of time thinking about what Grandad said that day Webster first went missing. How if you spend too much time dwelling on the things you’ve lost, you might not notice what you’ve got in its place. And how sometimes those things can be just as wonderful. But in a different way.

Sarah is turning twelve. For the last ten years, ever since her dad mysteriously left, Sarah and her mom have always celebrated together for an entire birthday week. But when Sarah finds out that this year her mother has to work, and that she’s signed Sarah up last minute for a week of culinary school instead, things go from bad to worse.

At least the camp has agreed to let Sarah bring her duck, Webster. Sarah knows that with Webster by her side, she can handle whatever comes her way. But then Webster goes missing, just as Sarah’s search for her absent father comes up empty as well. Will she have to say yet another painful goodbye?

In a story about love, friendship, search for identity, and the hardship of loss, Sarah finds joy and strength in unexpected friendships and learns that when we focus so much on chasing answers, we can forget to notice what we already have.

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship, Family, Canada

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

Deborah Kerbel was born in London, England, but grew up in Toronto, Canada.
A finalist for the 2012 Governor General's Literary Award, the 2010 Canadian Library Association YA Book of the Year Award, 2019 Blue Spruce Award Honour Book, and winner of the 2020 IODE Jean Throop Book Award, Deborah is the author of ten books for young readers of all ages.
Currently, Deborah lives and writes in Thornhill, Ontario, with her husband, two book loving teens, and a schnoodle named Fred.
Visit her at www.deborahkerbel.ca

Reviews

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many things to love about this book! Sarah, the main character lives with her mom and her duck, Webster, who is a registered therapy animal that helps Sarah when she feels stressed and anxious. Sarah has many worries, including how she’ll get through the unusual cooking camp her mom signed her up for as well as why her dad left when she was little.

I was really interested in the cooking camp—and a bit surprised to find it wasn’t quite what I expected. This book is about building relationships, coping with stressful situations and solving the mystery of what happens to Webster when he goes missing.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, can we talk about the cover? Because I don't think I could love it more than I do. Striking, different than anything I've seen before, colourful, perfect. But what's inside is also so, so good. Like
a Duck is a book about friendships, anxiety, Self-reliance and all the other complicated feelings that go along with being a tween. Add in an emotional support duck and I'm so here for it.
A very sweet story that has heart and lots of laughs throughout while still tackling serious topics.

Highly recommended.

[Mahtab Narsimhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerbel has done it again with this heartwarming story of young Sarah who has had her summer vacation ruined by an unexpected event. She's enrolled in a cooking camp she doesn't want to be in, with students she barely knows. The plot threads come together beautifully when her emotional support pet, Websie-Woo goes missing. Funny, tragic, and poignant, this coming-of-age story is a page turner. And oh, there's a duck in diapers. Loved it!!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An utterly charming story of Sarah’s adventures at a French cooking day camp with her adorable personal support duck Webster. With offbeat antics, the discovery of true friends, and the investigation of family secrets, Kerbel delivers an authentic story that navigates new friendships, acceptance, loss, and anxiety with a playful touch.

[Sandra Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about coping, growing, friendship, loss, letting go and celebrating what you have.

[Kinga U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed a light change and it was a great book. Enjoyed it especially because I have ducks.