MIDDLE GRADE REALISTIC FICTION : Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson
ABOUT THE BOOK
In this funny and moving animals-in-peril adventure, a twelve-year-old girl and her two best friends determine to rescue two orphaned beaver kits—and soon find themselves trying to solve a local environmental crisis.
Everyone knows that twelve-year-old Madison “Madi” Lewis is not allowed to bring home any more animals. After she's saved hairless mice, two birds, a rabbit, and a stray tom cat that ended up destroying the front porch, Madi’s parents decide that if they find one more stray animal in the house, she won’t be allowed to meet Jane Goodall at an upcoming gala event.
But when Madi and her two best friends, Aaron and Jack, rescue beaver kits whose mother was killed, they find themselves at the center of a local conspiracy that’s putting the beavers and their habitats in danger. As Madi and her friends race to uncover the threat targeting the beavers, Madi must put her animal whisperer skills to the test in both raising the orphaned beaver kits and staying out of trouble long enough.
Everyone knows that twelve-year-old Madison “Madi” Lewis is not allowed to bring home any more animals. After she's saved hairless mice, two birds, a rabbit, and a stray tom cat that ended up destroying the front porch, Madi’s parents decide that if they find one more stray animal in the house, she won’t be allowed to meet Jane Goodall at an upcoming gala event.
But when Madi and her two best friends, Aaron and Jack, rescue beaver kits whose mother was killed, they find themselves at the center of a local conspiracy that’s putting the beavers and their habitats in danger. As Madi and her friends race to uncover the threat targeting the beavers, Madi must put her animal whisperer skills to the test in both raising the orphaned beaver kits and staying out of trouble long enough.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Terry Lynn Johnson writes about the wild with the wisdom and passion of someone who has spent her life working to preserve and protect it - both as a backcountry canoe ranger in Quetico Provincial Park and in her current job as a conservation officer with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. She lives at the edge of a lake in northern Ontario, Canada, where she loves watching all wildlife, including beavers. Visit her online at terrylynnjohnson.com
Twitter: @TerryLynnJ
Instagram: terry_lynn_johnson
Video extra! Terry Lynn Johnson talks about the inspiration behind Rescue at Lake Wild here.
REVIEW
Terry Lynn Johnson's Rescue at Lake Wild is a delightful tale of friendship and environmental problem-solving. It's a tale of a young person seeing a societal problem and caring enough to try to do something about it.
Madison Lewis loves animals. Having helped her grandmother rescue and rehabilitate wildlife in the past, she has continued to try to help animals on her own after her grandmother's passing. But her parents have reached the end of their rope with her bringing home of stray animals. They've told Madi that if she brings home even one more stray animal she won't be able to go listen to Jane Goodall at an upcoming event.
Madi tries to keep her promise but when she discovers some orphaned beaver kits she can't help stepping up to help them. With the help of her friends, Jack and Aaron, she sets out to help the kits survive and figure out who murdered their parents. Jack, with his dream of becoming a game warden, sets out to collect evidence using his dog, Lid, to track the culprit. Meanwhile, Madi takes the kits home and hides them in a shed. She learns everything she can about beavers and the trouble they are causing the town. Localized flooding has created resentment toward the beavers and is likely the reason someone killed the beavers.
Hiding the kits from her parents is difficult and caring for them a lot more work than Madi anticipated. While caring for the kits, Madi conducts some experiments to see if the beavers can be lead to build their dams in certain areas to help prevent future flooding and lesson the conflict with locals. Just as she and her friends seem to be on the right track, she gets found out by her mother and it seems all her efforts will be for naught. But Madi isn't the type to give up when she cares so much.
I really enjoyed this tale of environmental activism. Madi and her friends are very likable characters even if their choice to hide the kits isn't the best. The details about beavers and caring for kits are fascinating and blended smoothly into the story. The relationship dynamics between Madi, Jack, and Aaron are amusing and add to the fun of the story as does the tension between Madi and her teenage sister. Johnson has created an entertaining, easy-to-read, story of a young person caring enough to step forward and do something. Highly recommended for young readers who enjoy animal stories.
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