Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Drawing from her own volunteer experience, per an author's note, Messner (The Trouble with Heroes) highlights themes of ecological conservation and wildlife preservation via this accessible series-starting chapter book. In an idyllic opening sequence that will captivate animal-loving readers, a baby otter and her siblings frolic near a pond ("Slide! Splash! Sploosh!") until the baby otter, having lost sight of her brothers, hears "a deep growl from behind the trees." Injured off-page by a predator, the otter is found by middle schooler Ivy, whose family volunteers as Critter Couriers transporting animals to the local wildlife hospital. As she aids in the otter's recovery, Ivy simultaneously organizes a towel drive for her school's Earth Day celebration and struggles to make new friends after her cousins move away. The straightforward plot is interwoven with interesting animal facts and dotted with adorable illustrations rendered in softly shaded b&w by Bricking (Like a Boss). Characters are shown with varying skin tones. Publishing simultaneously: How to Save an Owl. Ages 6--9. Author's agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Assoc. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--Ivy and Ezra are part of a family that rescues animals. As "critter couriers," they transfer injured and abandoned animals to wildlife hospitals. In these two volumes, the siblings rescue an otter with an injured leg and two baby screech owls who have fallen from their nests. In addition to the irresistible, heart tugging storylines of injured animals, veteran author Messner weaves in relatable social and emotional issues faced by the tween main characters. This combo makes for an uncommonly well written series that stands out among the many other rescue animal series out there. Evocative black and white portraits are sprinkled throughout the text and back matter includes an author's note, sources and tips for being a wildlife hero. VERDICT Recommended for all collections.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Ivy knows just what to do when she finds an injured otter cub while on a Florida hike, but she's less sure about mutual friends now that her twin cousins have moved away. Young readers will empathize with Ivy for her uncertainty about changes in her circle of friends, but Ivy also thinks about the welfare of the young river otter whom she and her family members--all trained volunteer "Critter Couriers"--rescue and transport to a local animal hospital. Messner folds loads of specific information about safe and proper ways to approach, handle, and care for an injured animal into her short, easy-to-read chapters. Nor does she gloss over the realistic possibility that, even with the best efforts and intentions, the creature's survival isn't guaranteed. Things begin to look up for the gregarious otter, however, and for pale-skinned Ivy, who cements her relations with her racially diverse classmates by working with them on several projects for an upcoming Earth Day fair. The playful, impossibly cute otter is the POV character in the first and last chapters and features prominently in Bricking's fetching if infrequent illustrations; the creature has a constant presence in the tale, even when she's offstage. The story publishes simultaneously withHow To Save an Owl, which features Ivy's brother, Ezra. A sweet and informative animal-rescue tale. (author's note, suggested activities)(Chapter book. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
