National Geographic Kids Chapters

May 1, 2016
Grades 2-5 Featuring three stories of dramatic, inspiring animal rescues and rife with color photos, this National Geographic Kids Chapters series entry offers an engaging, accessibly written addition to animal-rescue-themed books. The first story focuses on Honey Girl, a Hawaiian monk seal, discovered injured and malnourished, and details her rescue, after-care, and continued monitoring. Others feature Kuzya and Borya, orphaned, endangered Amur tiger-cub siblings in Russia, and poaching targets Kass and Draegon, a pair (mother and child) of African rhinos that were transported in an intricately planned endeavor to safe haven. Word pronunciations, including locations, are helpfully embedded within the main text, and factoid-rich sidebars add helpful bonus information. Though occasional elements may be disconcerting to sensitive readers, such as Honey Girl's fishhook injury, they're all conveyed in a matter-of-fact tone, and each story ends optimistically. Throughout, the featured animals provide a personalized account of the challenges facing endangered species while highlighting their human rescuers. The back matter includes information on rescue organizations.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)