Last Chance

May 1, 2012

Gr 6-10-Robyn Hunter, 15, finds herself in trouble with the law for participating in a protest rally against using animals for product testing. Because of this arrest, she is required to do community service at the local animal shelter where she finds a group of juvenile delinquents working for the "Rehabilitate A Dog" (RAD) program. Unfortunately, Robyn is terrified of dogs. What's worse, Nick D'Angelo is part of the group, and she wants to avoid him because she once turned him in for stealing money. His shady past fuels her suspicions that he is the one taking funds from the shelter. However, after he is arrested for joyriding in a stolen car and more clues are revealed, Robyn eventually sees that Nick is innocent and sets out to prove it. Animal lovers will like this novel's focus on dogs and the positive portrayal of a rescue shelter. However, the mystery surrounding Nick unfolds too slowly, and impatient readers may wish for fewer details about Robyn's daily activities and more information about the case. An additional purchase.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2012
How does a girl who's terrified of dogs wind up working at an animal shelter? The dogs aren't the only thing that scares Robyn. Back in middle school, she turned in a boy for stealing. She hoped she'd never see him again, but there he is, also working at the shelter. Nick doesn't seem able to stay out of trouble. Yet both Robyn and Nick are doing community service at the shelter. Robyn, accused of breaking a window during a protest march, still sees herself as superior to Nick, accused of violent crime. When she thinks she sees Nick trying to steal money again, she isn't sure what she should do. Meanwhile, Robyn learns more about Nick when he's arrested again. This time she thinks he's innocent and sets out to prove it. To amp the tension a little bit, add in the fact that a dog Nick has been training may be put down if Nick leaves his rehabilitation program. As the story unfolds, Robyn learns more about Nick's predicament, turning the story into a mystery. McClintock keeps her writing at a level simple and clear enough to attract both middle-school and reluctant high-school readers. She portrays both Robyn and Nick as flawed people, but both learn and grow, finally making both interesting and attractive characters. Volume two in the Robyn Hunter Mysteries series, You Can Run, publishes simultaneously. Great for dog lovers and young mystery fans. (Mystery. 12-16)

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