2021
WISE Score
Amazon
Think Greta Thunberg meets Fantastic Beasts, but with way more heart and much better animal names.
4.7
4.7View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This is a top-tier pick for your kid's bookshelf. Applegate avoids the 'brain rot' trap by writing stories that actually respect a child's intelligence.
It’s a modern classic that tackles climate change and biodiversity without the doom-and-gloom lectures. If your kid liked 'The One and Only Ivan,' this is a no-brainer. It’s fast-paced, imaginative, and actually has something to say.
Perfect for ages 8 to 12. It's sophisticated enough for a middle-schooler to appreciate the themes, but the prose is accessible enough for a 3rd grader to read solo.
It centers on a 'found family' dynamic and a deep, empathetic connection to nature. The tone is gentle but emotionally resonant, modeling how to care for creatures that others find 'ugly' or inconvenient.
Applegate creates a unique ecosystem with 'screechers' and 'hummingbears.' It’s a creative take on fantasy biology that encourages kids to look at the natural world with more curiosity.
Beyond the standard middle-grade trope of the protagonist being an orphan (parents died in a fire prior to the story), the content is very safe. No gore, no modern weapons, and no toxic social dynamics.
It’s a masterclass in teaching ecological balance without being preachy. It explains the 'butterfly effect' of nature in a way a 9-year-old can actually grasp and care about.
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