3 stars Another good nonfiction read in the I Survived series. This one follows different animals in their quest for survival and the humans who helped them along the way. Great for those interested in learning about animals. It should be read with the knowledge that not all the stories are entirely happy. They each…
Read More
3 stars Hooray for the first girl lead in the series! Tarshis does address this in the backmatter but… Personally I wish Tarshis would stop hanging onto the explanation that she wanted to write books her sons would read and they weren’t interested in girl characters. I hate this excuse. Can we all just admit…
Read More
4 stars This is my favorite book in the series of those I’ve read so far (Also, so excited to see another elusive girl main character in this series!). Tarshis nicely handles the respecting wildlife storyline that was so clumsily presented in I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916. I really appreciate that, though certainly dangerous,…
Read More
3 stars Nice progression for fans of the I Survived series to nonfiction encounters. I initially grabbed this one because of the sharks attacks of 1916. It is the only true story featured in this collection that Tarshis has written a novel about. Others are tangentially related to books in the I Survived series (I…
Read More
4 stars A beautiful story that examines ocean pollution from the perspective of a turtle. The reader follows Little Turtle as she traverses her ocean home, noting the changes that dampen its colors and the silent creatures (plastic bags, bottles, and other garbage) that quickly multiple. Though she experiences great darkness, there are those ready…
Read More
3 stars A good look at what life was like in America in the late 1800s. The story centers around people moving to settle in the Midwest, including run-ins with wildlife such as grasshopper plagues and rattlesnakes, daily chores, extreme weather, and general living conditions. The blizzard itself is a pretty small section of the…
Read More
4 stars Fast-paced, action-packed historical fiction centering around the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. The earthquake itself happens fairly quickly. There are some interesting facts surrounding earthquakes in the text, but much of the story deals with Leo’s life before the disaster and the resulting fires following the quake. It does contain some useful information…
Read More
3 stars Told in short chapters with simple language, this fictionalized account of Ivan’s story places Ivan at the center, giving him voice and agency in making change for himself and his friends. A wonderful story that highlights the importance of animal rights and the ethical treatment of animals. Applegate uses many of the real…
Read More
3 stars A picture book telling the story of Ivan, how a gorilla became a shopping center attraction and the public’s changing understanding of animals in captivity. The book goes through some of the main events of Ivan’s story, including some dark times. It touches on various aspects of human treatment of wild animals and…
Read More
4 stars A heartfelt tale of friendship, community, and a bit of wonder. Red the wishtree has a lot to offer: shade, homes for animals, and a place for wishes. But perhaps their most important contribution is one not directly evident. Through their story, they promote acceptance, understanding, and sympathy. A sweet tale about different…
Read More