Book Review Books Children MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12)

“Feathers, Treasures, & Sandy Paws: The Trilogy” by Shirley Lee Baldwin

Feathers, Treasures, & Sandy Paws: The Trilogy is a delightful collection of Baldwin’s three books following eleven-year-old Jack Cooper and his group of loyal friends, both human and furry, as they go on adventures and explore the world around them. This collection includes Empty Pockets, Big Little Secrets, and Time Will Tell, which put our cast of characters into new mysteries with a fairy-tale-type feel. Empty Pockets introduces readers to the group of friends and animals, allowing us to explore Old Town Hansford Landing and really get a feel for the salty air around it while seeing Jack through a few moral quandaries. Big Little Secrets focuses more on a cozy mystery, with a thief stealing a family heirloom, while Time Will Tell takes us through history alongside pirates, with a dash of time travel.

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Book Review Books Children Cultural/Ethnic/Regional MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12) PETS & ANIMALS (Adults & Children's Books)

“Peter Little Wing and the Bay of Islands” by Regan W.H. Macaulay

In Regan Macaulay’s second installment of the Peter Little Wing series, kiwis Peter and Bess must find their way home after a clerical error results in their release into the New Zealand wilderness. Meanwhile, his friends set out to rescue them. Along their journey, Peter and his companions encounter a wide variety of animals and species, many of whom join them in their adventures. Macaulay combines an action-packed journey with themes of friendship, animal conservation, and preservation of indigenous knowledge.

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Book Review Books Children Environmental MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12) PETS & ANIMALS (Adults & Children's Books) STEM

“The Adventures of Syd: Rescue on Tangier Island” by Danielle Simone

The Adventures of Syd: Rescue on Tangier Island is a thoughtful middle-grade book written by Danielle Simone about a girl with a heart for saving a dog, bringing together a community, and learning that the environment is ever-changing. The story begins with our main character Sydney (nicknamed Syd) thinking that something is wrong when she is unexpectedly picked up early from school. What is believed, at first, to be a potential for bad news is actually the start of a boat adventure on the Chesapeake Bay. Alongside her dad, Dr. Gardner, and their side-eyeing Blue Heeler dog, Goose, Syd meets a couple of new faces as she adjusts to life temporarily on Tangier Island. Filling in for an injured scientist, Syd, her dad, and Goose meet Sev, a hardened and lonely fisherman who is strictly business. He speaks sternly and isn’t up for any small talk.

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