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Librarian’s Review of Publisher’s Advance Copy Date: 11/2/2015 Author:
C. Alexander London
Title: The Wild Ones Series: Publisher: Philomel Books
Publication Date: 2015
ISBN: 978-0399170997 Pages: 256 Nonfiction:
Price: $ 17.99 Easy:
Fiction:
Genre/Dewey Classification: F-LON (Fantasy)
Theme or Topic: Grade Range: Grades 3rd-5th Quality Rating
Purchase Rating Outstanding Above Average Average Below Average
Highly Recommended Recommended Additional Selection Not Recommended
Comments/Evaluation: (include review sources here) Review/Annotation: (From Kirkus Online, April 1, 2015) Treacherous urban pets try to renege on an ancient deal with the wild residents of a city alleyway, and a young raccoon finds himself caught in the middle in this all-animal dramedy. His parents done in by a pack of hired bloodhounds, Kit flees his beloved woodlands for squalid Ankle Snap Alley, a wretched hive of scum and villainy, where he immediately falls afoul of a pair of raccoon hustlers and the feared Rabid Rascals gang. Worse yet, he is also targeted by miniature greyhound Titus, leader of the Flealess (or house pets), and vicious cat Sixclaw. They think he carries a possible clue to the whereabouts of the missing Bone of Contention that accords the alley’s formerly feral residents a right to settle there. Fortunately, Kit not only falls in with Eeni, a savvy rat who vows friendship “from howl to snap” (i.e., birth to, well…), but finds other allies too while proving himself no slouch when it comes to quick thinking and courage in the clutch. Despite metal traps springing and some spilled blood, the tale features but one onstage death; London further lightens the load with references to such appetizing alley cuisine as Daily Trash Casserole plus a diverse supporting cast highlighted by evangelical church mice and a retired fighting cock–turned-hairdresser. Bold deeds, betrayals, and buffoonery kick off this series with gusto. (Animal fantasy. 10-12)
Annotation: I really enjoyed this fantasy tale and I think it would appeal to young readers of the Warriors series by Erin Hunter (Warriors, Seekers, Survivors). Young raccoon Kit is orphaned by a pack of dogs and the dastardly cat Sixclaw. These villains are part of the “Flealess” or domesticated animals. Kit teams up with his Uncle Rik and white rat Eeni ( the “Wild Ones”) to search for information about an ancient secret that may shift the power in Ankle Snap Alley. My only concern would be to note that this tale is sometimes violent. Though it is mainly talked about or suggested...dogs wanting to rip apart our hero and leave the head for the boss, etc. As long as the kid is ok with that, they will enjoy the story! Prepared by: David Jurecka, Librarian
Campus: Laurel Mountain Elementary
