The Planet's Most Extreme Stinkers by John Woodward (Animal Planet)

The Planet's Most Extreme - Stinkers. edited by John Woodward. Blackbirch Press, 2005. 48 pages.

Review/Personal thoughts:  Sometimes you just want to read a book for fun.  This book explores the 10 most extreme “stinker” animals on Planet Earth.  In a countdown format, the reader learns about the most foul smelling animals on planet earth. Who would guess that one of America’s most common pets, the dog, comes in at number10? Ok, warning! It’s going to get gross if you keep reading.  Did you know that vultures go to the bathroom on their own feet to stay cool? Hippos make the list because of a fermented smelly “dung showering” behavior. Yes, it is exactly what you think. Extreme halitosis interest you? This is the claim to fame of the Hooker’s sea lion. Vomit is a key ingredient! I warned you if you keep reading it’s gross. “Hyena butter” is a smelly secretion and we are only on number 6. The “musk” of a musk ox is actually urine. The bull elephant has a special gland that secretes a rancid smelling liquid. A millipede seems harmless enough, yet when threatened it can release the foul smelling gas hydrogen cyanide which can kill!  The giant petrel is a bird that loves to feast on rotting flesh and then use projectile vomiting to spread a disgusting smelling acidic liquid.  And the number 1 stinker on planet Earth?  It’s the skunk!  The skunk’s powerful squirt glands can spray up to fifteen feet to cover its target in what has been voted “the worst smell in the world”.  This book is co-sponsored by the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet which gives it a scientific base.  There are full color photographs on every page.  Why do I think tween boys would love to read this book out loud to tween girls?

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: 6.0 Interest level: Ages 8 to 11.

What If We Do Nothing? Endangered Species by Sean Sheehan

Endangered Species. by Sean Sheehan. G. Stevens, 2009. 48 pages.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This book is part of a “What if We Do Nothing?” series. It is an excellent resource for tweens interested in the environment, focusing specifically on the impact of humans on life forms. Interspersed throughout the chapters are critical thinking activities that are all titled “What Would You Do?”  Readers are challenged to find solutions for situations like a mining company that wants to build a dam on an African river, being a member of a group that regulates whaling and dealing with animal injuries and attacks in a National Park.  One chapter is dedicated to Earth’s rain forests and the vital role they play in absorbing carbon dioxide and heat out of the atmosphere.The plants and animals of rain forests are being destroyed for agriculture and cattle at the rate of two football fields every second!  African wildlife is under threat from illegal hunters who sometimes pose as tourists and and then slaughter rare and endangered animals to sell their body parts on the black market.  The oceans, which are also vital to life on Earth, are being overfished to satisfy the palates of humans. Sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles and sea birds are being inadvertently killed by fishermen at the alarming rate of 27 million tons a year! North American wildlife are struggling with the impact of acids, lead, pesticides solvents and diesel fuel on their habitats.  One great success story is that of the California condor which in 1989 had only 25 birds alive.  Through conservation and breeding efforts there are now more than 300. Excellent photographs and graphics, a glossary and a resource guide all enhance this great nonfiction book for tweens.

Genre: Non-Fiction

Reading Level: 8.4 Interest level: Ages 10 to 13.

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Charlotte's Web. by E.B. White. Harper Collins, 1980. 184 pages.

Plot: This is the story of Wilbur the pig and Charlotte the spider and their adventures as unlikely friends.  The story begins when Wilbur is born a runt and his owner plans to kill him because he will cost more than he is worth.  The farmer’s daughter, Fern, convinces her dad to spare the pig’s life. The father agrees to allow Fern to keep Wilbur as a pet.  This plan is short lived and Wilbur is sold to another farmer named Homer Zuckerman who lives down the road. Fern can visit Wilbur, but her visits decrease and Wilbur becomes lonely.  Wilbur longs for a friend and none of the other animals seem to have time for him with the exception of a grey spider named Charlotte. Their friendship grows deeper and stronger. The animals learn that Wilbur is to be slaughtered for Christmas dinner!  Charlotte starts a plan of action to save Wilbur.  She spins a web above the barnyard door with the words “some pig” in it and the gullible humans believe it to be a miracle brought about by Wilbur. Wilbur is saved again and is taken to the county fair where he wins a prize (because Charlotte has secretly come along and spins one final word “humble”).  Wilbur returns to Zuckerman’s barn and Charlotte has reached the end of her life span.  Wilbur manages to retrieve Charlotte’s egg sacks and cares for it until the baby spiders are hatched.  Wilbur never forgets the special friend he had in Charlotte.

Review/Personal thoughts:  This is a classic children’s story. It is well-written and award winning. Themes of friendship, loyalty, loneliness, growing up and mortality are explored in this simple story. Although this book will most likely appeal to younger tweens, it has withstood the test of time.  It is another book that is hard to put an age limit on because it appeals to adults as well. 

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 4.4 Interest level: Ages 8 to 11.

Awards: Newbery Medal/Honor 1953

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford

The Incredible Journey.  by Sheila Burnford.  Illustrated by Carl Burger.  A Yearling Book, 1960.  148 pages.

Plot: Set in the Canadian wilderness, The Incredible Journey tells the story of three amazing animals who forge through difficult terrain and challenges of the road to get back to their human family.  It is the tale of Tao, the rather irreverent Siamese, Bodger, the ever-amusing bull terrier, and the ever-loyal Luath (a Labrador retriever), the young leader of the trio who longs for the companionship of his human friend Jim Hunter.  The trio set off from their temporary home, as they have been watched over by John Longridge, a friend of Jim’s.  The Hunters have been in England but are returning and though the animals have grown attached to John, there is,  especially in Luath’s heart, the desire to get back home. This trio faces the challenges of bears, a porcupine, a few unkind humans, the search for food, and the difficulty of surviving in an unrelenting terrain; they also experience the acceptance and kindness of strangers, humans who take them in, if only temporarily, to restore this trio to health, so they can once again move towards home.  What captures the heart of the reader is the absolute loyalty that this trio has for one another and the heartwarming connection they share with their human counterparts.  Watch this trio as they travel their incredible journey.

Review/Personal thoughts:  The Incredible Journey is a classic.  Burnford’s narrative description, with accompanying illustrations throughout the text, draws the reader in from the first chapter. The story is directed by the ever present commitment to the ideas of loyalty, love, companionship, friendship, and the simple desire “to be home”.  Tweens will be drawn into this story as many understand the love they have for their own animal companion – therein lies the tie that binds the reader to the story.  What exists at the core of this novel is the appreciation that we must all embrace:  animals simply make our lives better and hopefully, we do the same in return for them.  There is deep wisdom in the souls of this loyal trio and each reader will be reminded of how an animal has more than likely changed their life.

Genre: Fiction

Reading Level: 6.5  Interest level: Ages 10 and up.

Awards:  Young Reader's Choice Award, 1964 Winner

My Dog Skip

My Dog Skip: Film, 2000  Studio: Warner Bros. Director: Jay Russell Run time: 95 minutes.

Plot: The story is set in Mississippi in 1942. Willie is a 9-year old only child who is not very good at sports, has trouble making friends (gets bullied) and longs for a dog.  On his ninth birthday his mother gives him Skip, a Jack Russell terrier puppy.  The bond between boy and dog is immediate and sets the stage for the story. Skip and Willie are inseparable and through Skip, Willie’s life begins to change. Everyone in town knows the pair, Willie makes friends, gets to hold hands with the prettiest girl and becomes part of a baseball team with real uniforms.  There is a scene where Willie loses his temper with Skip, slaps him and then the dog disappears. Willie is in tears as he recruits the citizens of Yazoo City to help him find his beloved dog. Skip is missing for days and is located later trapped in a cemetery. Skip is injured and may not live leading to a poignant exchange between Willie and Skip in the animal hospital. I usually try not to spoil an ending yet the final words of the narrator are a powerful reflection, “They buried him out under the elm tree, they said. That wasn't totally true. For he really lay buried in my heart."

Review/Personal thoughts: This movie described as both heart wrenching and heart warming.  It is a coming of age story baed on the a memoir of Willie Morris. There are many themes revealed in this story including friendship, bullying, courage, forgiveness, parenting, and of course the connection between humans and animals.  I was especially moved by the scene where Willie slaps Skip and immediately feels regret. With Skip missing, we identify with Willie’s grief and remorse and wonder if Skip will ever be  found so that healing can occur. Willie pours out his heart to Skip who is unconscious on the operating table, expressing his sorrow and great love. 46.3 million U.S households have dogs as pets.  My bet is that everyone of them will love this film. (And many who don’t will also...)

Rated: PG

Interest Level: Ages 8 and up

Awards:  Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, Critics Choice Award, Best Family Film, 2001