Quest for the Unicorn Horn

Gr 4-7–This book opens with a scene that feels like it’s straight out of a spy movie, but, in a pleasant surprise, the main characters are all animals—animals that have already been declared extinct. As events unfold, readers learn that these animals were brought together by a scientist determined to save the world. They are sent on a mission to uncover the horn of a Siberian Unicorn. The mission is thwarted at every turn and while the surprise twists might be a bit predictable, they are still very entertaining. While this first volume feels like a setup for future books (as is indicated at the end of the story), readers who enjoy adventure will have a good time. Magoon intersperses a lot of scientific facts throughout, and the back matter includes facts about the extinct animals and other information. Muted colors fit the work’s tone but also darken the book. In the last spreads, the artwork is light and airy, which truly complements the narrative with all its twists and turns.