“Child of the Wolves” by Elizabeth Hall ($4.50 paperback, Bantam Doubleday Dell) tells the story of a lost Siberian husky puppy that’s taken in by a wolf pack. Although not completely believable (wolves tend to be clannish and don’t welcome outsiders), this story is endearing and fast-paced. And it accurately portrays wolf life, from the pack’s pecking order and hunting rituals to the dangers these magnificent animals face from predators, mostly of the two-legged kind.***
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Harvest” by Richie Tankersley Cusick($4 paperback, Pocket/Archway) is based on the WB Network’s hit TV series. If you’ve seen the episode that starts the Buffy-in-Sunnydale saga, you don’t need to read this book – unless, of course, you’re just a huge fan and hang on every word Buffy or Xander says. The book is fun and fast-paced, but the show is better.**
“Kidnap Kids” by Todd Strasser ($16 hardback, G.P. Putnam’s Sons) is a silly book about two kids who kidnap their overworked parents to force the adults to spend more time with them. When the family takes off for a weekend of quality time, the kids handcuff their folks to immovable objects – which, unbelievably, the parents accept. Then the family is tracked down by murderous militia members (don’t ask) and must act as a unit to stay alive. Oh, so that’s the author’s idea of quality time.*
“The Andalite Chronicles” by K.A. Applegate ($5 paperback, Scholastic) provides a premise for the wonderful sci-fi book series “Animorphs.” And like the series, it’s top-notch. There’s non-stop intraspace battle action, and we learn the legend of Elfangor, the dying Andalite warrior who gave five young Earthlings the power to morph into animals. We’re told of Elfangor’s doomed love with an Earthling and the son he left behind. Applegate sends a powerful message about the horrors of war and the unforeseen consequences of time travel. ****
Rating Scale
**** It’s the best book we’ve read this year!
*** What a great way to start ’98!
** Well, it is January. And we are stuck inside…
* We make a New Year’s resolution not to read any awful books in ’98 – oops, too late.
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Readers’ book reviews return next month. Send us reviews in 50 words or less; if we print yours, we’ll send you a free book. Write to KidNews Books, 5th Floor, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Include your name, age and address. P.S. If we’ve printed your review and you haven’t gotten a book, call us at 312-222-4217 and tell us to get into gear! (If you leave a message, please give your name and address again.) What can we say? We blame any oversights on holiday-induced insanity. (And no, we don’t know what excuse we’ll come up with next time.)
