Inspiring.
Documents a calendar year in the life of Critter Care—a wildlife rehabilitation center in southern British Columbia that specializes in mammals.
At first glance a journal-style overview and a tribute to founder Gail Martin, this work is in fact much more. Readers will get the expected tales both tragic and amusing, as dedicated workers—including international interns—do everything from hourly overnight nursing of infant moles to teaching otter pups how to swim to releasing charges back into the wild. All these stories—told with accessible language and wry humor—are interspersed with fascinating facts about the habits and behaviors of beavers, skunks, raccoons, and more. From the beginning, the text is also clear about the tension between Critter Care and the philosophy and practice of British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service, which often resorts to shooting rather than relocating animals. The text emphasizes the ever increasing number of orphaned bear cubs, often caused by officers legally killing mother bears foraging in human settlements. Other serious issues woven into the text are euthanasia, habitat loss, unintentional killing of wildlife, and leghold traps. Nor does the text gloss over the fighting and death that are an inherent part of nature, including a note that rabbits are such popular prey they are sometimes called “nature’s granola.” Nevertheless, a tone of optimism prevails. Abundant, eye- and-heart-arresting color photographs and excellent layout complement the text’s call to action.
Inspiring. (index, sources, recommended reading) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 19, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-77203-387-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Heritage House Publishing
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2021
Congolese-American Sophie makes a harrowing trek through a war-torn jungle to protect a young bonobo.
On her way to spend the summer at the bonobo sanctuary her mother runs, 14-year-old Sophie rescues a sickly baby bonobo from a trafficker. Though her Congolese mother is not pleased Sophie paid for the ape, she is proud that Sophie works to bond with Otto, the baby. A week before Sophie's to return home to her father in Miami, her mother must take advantage
of a charter flight to relocate some apes, and she leaves Sophie with Otto and the sanctuary workers. War breaks out, and after missing a U.N. flight out, Sophie must hide herself and Otto from violent militants and starving villagers. Unable to take Otto out of the country, she decides finding her mother hundreds of miles to the north is her only choice. Schrefer jumps from his usual teen suspense to craft this well-researched tale of jungle survival set during a fictional conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Realistic characters (ape and human) deal with disturbing situations described in graphic, but never gratuitous detail. The lessons Sophie learns about her childhood home, love and what it means to be endangered will resonate with readers.
Even if some hairbreadth escapes test credulity, this is a great next read for fans of our nearest ape cousins or survival adventure. (map, author's note, author Q&A) (Adventure. 12-16)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-545-16576-1
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Oct. 2, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t...
Ali-Karamali offers plenty of anecdotes about growing up Muslim in America in a conversational tone that is undermined by poor organization.
The work explores a range of questions that non-Muslims might have about followers of Islam. Ranging from a discussion of Muslim holidays or the kinds of clothes worn by Muslims to the development of Islam, the author explains these topics in a friendly, engaging manner. She provides several examples of Muslim practices around the world, going beyond her American experiences to reflect Islam’s diversity. Chapters are organized into three fact-filled sections on beliefs and practices, the development of Islam and current Muslim demographics. Unfortunately, beginning with the practical questions about food, fasting and fashion delays important concepts such as how jihad is not equivalent to terrorism and whether Islam mandates women wear face veils (in a word, no). Compounding this basic conceptual flaw, this organizational choice necessitates clunky references to later chapters. Moreover, it is not until Chapter 4 that cited figures or quotes are provided references, an example of sloppy scholarship.
Readers will find answers to basic questions about Muslims, yet they might not understand the bigger picture if they don’t hang in until the end. (notes, bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 14, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-385-74095-1
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: June 19, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2012
BOOK REVIEW
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