Kazan-Father of Baree

Review By Nathan:

This book is about a three quarters dog and quarter wolf named Kazan.  He joins a wolf pack and finds a mate who he knows as Gray Wolf  But  soon they run across some humans and Kazan joins with them.  His loyal mate stays at a distance.  Eventually Gray wolf has pups but they are soon killed and she is blinded by an attacking animal.  Several times Kazan has to make the hard decision of who to stay with- humans or his mate.  This book covers his happy times and his sad times as he walks the path of life.

I very much enjoyed this book especially since I like wolves.

Age Range: 12+   Book Category: Historical Fiction

The School Story

Review by Nathan:

            This book by Andrew Clements is a must read for middle schoolers.  It tells the story of two middle school girls named Natalie and Zoe.  Natalie's dad died in an accident when she was younger and she misses him.  One day she decides to write a story loosely based on her own life to honor her father.  She shows the story to Zoe (her friend) who insist it is good enough to be published.  But Natalie's mom works as an editor and she tells Natalie that unless you have a good agent it is almost impossible to get your book published.

            The first thought is to tell her mom about the story and ask her mom to get the book published but this could cause accusations of favoritism.  So Zoe comes up with the daring idea to act as Natalie's agent.  But to go through with this plan they need to enlist the help of an adult. They get Ms. Clayton their English teacher to help them.  Soon the plan is under way but will it succeed?

Age Range 11+.  Book Category:  Fiction

Other books By Andrew Clement that are a must read:

Andrew Clements wrote a lot of books that take place is schools here are some of our other favorites.

The Keepers of the School (Series of 5)

The Landry News

Extra Credit

Frindle

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

Kakapo Rescue: Saving the World's Strangest Parrot

Review by Grace:

This book tells about researchers' mission to save the Kakapo parrots in Papa New Guinea. Researchers wake in the middle of the night to cheek on the parrots. There are very few of these flightless birds and so the ones that are still living are precious. The researchers put food near the parrot's nest and help the baby Kakapos live to the next day. This book was fun to read and the pictures were great.  

Brumby

Brumby 

Review by Grace:

      The brumbies of Australia once were wild and of mixed decent. They were captured for work then set free to roam once more. Horses from Europe were set free as well. This book shares with how brumbies fight to survive. Wild fire, drought, and starvation do not help them survive not to mention the men who want rid of them. But people with a heart for horses help heal their wounds and help them trust men, then the horses are adopted and cared for by loving hands. This book  is all about horses and I liked it since I like horses.

Seven Little Australians

Review by Nathan:

         This book is about a family of nine in Australia.  There is the father who is an army general and has little understanding of children and his new, young wife Esther.  The older six children's mother died and Esther is only mother to the youngest child nicknamed General.  The other children's nicknames are Meg 16, Pip 14, Judy 13, Nell 10, Bunty 6 and Baby 4.

         They are always getting in trouble.  Eventually Judy gets sent away to boarding school to hopefully stop the trouble.  After a little while there, she sneaks away and comes home.  Their father decides to send the entire family away to Esther's parents.  While there, the family enjoys themselves out in the country. But then disaster strikes when General toddles under a falling tree and Judy rushes to save him but as a result her back is broken and she soon dies.  This saddens the family and the books ends there.

         

This book is said to be the Cheaper by the Dozen of Australia but I don't think it as humorous.

Age Range: 12-18   Book Category:  Realistic Fiction

The Quest for the Tree Kangaroo

Review By Nathan:

This book is about scientist Lisa Dabeck and her group who study the tree kangaroos in Papua New Guinea.  Tree kangaroos are in the Kangaroo family but spend much of their time in the trees. This book documents  their day to day challenges, discoveries and joys.  This book really inspires people to get out and study God's Creation.

Lisa with a tree Kangaroo

Age range:  8+      Book Category:  Scientific Non-Fiction

Link for Wikipedia article on the species that Lisa studied.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matschie%27s_tree-kangaroo