REVIEWS+

Gator on the Loose! [Animal Rescue Team]

by Sue Stauffacher
Gator on the Loose! [Animal Rescue Team] by Sue Stauffacher; illus. by Priscilla Lamont Intermediate Knopf 154 pp. 5/10 978-0-375-85847-5 $12.99 Library ed. 978-0-375-95847-2 $15.99 g
COPY ISBN
Take one appealing family, add a fashion-crazy grandmother, mix with one abandoned alligator, and you have the first in a promising new series for middle-grade readers. Ten-year-old Keisha Carter has a busy life. At any moment she might be answering the phone at Carters' Urban Rescue, taking care of her baby brother Paulo, or distracting her five-year-old brother Razi. Ever competent, Keisha is always a few steps ahead of any problem, using her systematic reasoning skills and excellent knowledge of animal behavior. When a two-year-old alligator is found in the local pool, Keisha and her father use their combined knowledge of reptile behavior to catch her. What lifts this above much series fiction for this age group are the richly described characters, including Keisha's mother, who is from Nigeria and whose brisk, no-nonsense child-rearing is refreshing. Lots of facts (about Nigerian customs and food; alligators; and animal rescue) are peppered throughout the story, and these tidbits add depth and will leave information-hungry animal lovers wanting more. Luckily for them, at least two more stories are in the works. ROBIN L. SMITH
Gr 4-6 These stories detail the exploits of 10-year-old Keisha Carter's family as wildlife rehabilitators in Michigan. In the first title, they rescue a wandering alligator from the city pool. The creature gets lost one more time, and a frantic search ensues before it is finally transported to an alligator sanctuary. In "Special Delivery" they rescue a wayward skunk, a baby crow, and an injured dog. Though the cast of animal characters is different in each book, certain themes persist. Readers will learn that it is important to treat wildlife appropriately and that each animal is different in terms of how one should interact with it. Another mainstay is the abundance of cozy, safe family moments, and the fact that each scenario draws to a realistic-yet gentle-conclusion. Cheerful cartoon illustrations highlight the overall snug and secure feeling. The books don't necessarily challenge readers emotionally, but they are solid nonetheless and will find an audience with animal lovers and those who enjoy mellow realistic fiction.-"Amy Holland, Hamlin Public Library, Rochester, NY" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
Ten-year-old Keisha's family runs an urban animal rescue shelter. When a two-year-old alligator is found in the local pool, Keisha and her father use their knowledge of reptile behavior to catch it. Lots of facts are peppered throughout the story, and the characters, especially Keisha's Nigerian-born mom, are richly described.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?