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A review by sara_hudson
Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson
4.0
This book does several things well. It focuses on the young protagonists, keeping adults in the background. The big sister makes a couple of appearances, but the book is firmly centered in Madi, Aaron, and Jack. And, it does a nice job with the boy/girl friendship dynamic. It teaches about beavers, their habits and habitats without being preachy...most of the time. It highlights the fun of spending the summer outside with lakes and marshes, ATVs and boats, and good friends - with minimal screens. And, it does it all in 181 pages.
There are a few small shortcomings, and all seem to come from that wonderful page count, so they are a price I am willing to pay for a rich story that isn't a 400 page tome.
1. The opening sequence of Madi rescuing the beaver kids is necessary for the plot, but SUCH a terrible idea. Kids do dumb stuff in books all the time - it is a great way to set up conflict. But, to put this at the very beginning before we know Madi felt off.
2. The boys are a little flat - one hates to be dirty and one blurts out stuff at adults without any filter. We don't get much more than that. They each have family backstories that are lightly touched on, but not really fleshed out. The dog feels more fully drawn in some places.
3. And there are times when the pacing feels pulled rather than unfolded.
But, overall, a great story filled with interesting information told in a brisk fashion. Just what middle grade needs!
There are a few small shortcomings, and all seem to come from that wonderful page count, so they are a price I am willing to pay for a rich story that isn't a 400 page tome.
1. The opening sequence of Madi rescuing the beaver kids is necessary for the plot, but SUCH a terrible idea. Kids do dumb stuff in books all the time - it is a great way to set up conflict. But, to put this at the very beginning before we know Madi felt off.
2. The boys are a little flat - one hates to be dirty and one blurts out stuff at adults without any filter. We don't get much more than that. They each have family backstories that are lightly touched on, but not really fleshed out. The dog feels more fully drawn in some places.
3. And there are times when the pacing feels pulled rather than unfolded.
But, overall, a great story filled with interesting information told in a brisk fashion. Just what middle grade needs!