Publishers Weekly
11/09/2020
In this ecologically minded series opener, Schrefer (The Popper Penguin Rescue) introduces the interspecies odd couple that heads up the Animal Rescue Agency—patrician Esquire, a tweed-wearing, tea-drinking, jazz-listening fox, and fastidious colleague Mr. Pepper, a cantankerous elderly rooster. Working from tips supplied by field operatives, the duo sets out to save Little Claws, a young polar bear set adrift on an ice floe by a villainous fur-wearing animal trafficker who plans to sell the cub to a Florida zoo. Living up to their motto—“To each animal, the right to live its natural life”—the agents thwart the trafficker’s efforts, liberating a warehouse full of Arctic animals as part of the high-stakes plot. Though Schrefer plays Mr. Pepper’s domestic contributions for laughs, moments of absurdity (“That’s not the sound of failure—it’s the sound of a walrus!”), amplified by cartoon-inflected illustrations by Duncan (South), make for a lighthearted read with environmental conservation at its core. Back matter includes a recipe, an afterword with facts about climate change, and a list of further reading. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Richard Pine, Inkwell Management. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"Moments of absurdity amplified by cartoon-inflected illustrations by Duncan make for a lighthearted read with environmental conservation at its core." — Publishers Weekly
"With its odd-couple protagonists (the daring, but slightly vain Esquire Fox and stodgy, sensible Mr. Pepper), and entertaining portrayal of the animal world, this new series by the Endangered author is full of lighthearted adventure. Cartoon-style illustrations by Duncan add to the story’s charm. This lively new series will appeal to fans of Elisabetta Dami’s “Geronimo Stilton” and other anthropomorphic animal adventure stories." — School Library Journal
"[An] amusing series opener. The book really shines in its descriptive details, from the hilariously disjointed way that the “animal internet” operates to the coziness of a rat-run pub under an auto shop. It’s not all silliness, however, as there are plenty of ecological lessons, from the effects of global warming to human carelessness." — Booklist
PRAISE FOR GOGI’S GAMBIT: — “The second installment in this fast-paced fantasy is enhanced by the richly detailed rainforest setting... a tale about how to celebrate differences and still find unity. Another knockout in a series that will appeal to nature lovers, animal lovers, and fans of magical adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Schrefer’s second book in the Lost Rainforest series continues the enthralling fantasy adventures of this eclectic group of animals and hints at where the next threat to the rain forest will come from. Fans of Mez’s Magic and Katherine Applegate’s Endling #1: The Last (2018) will eagerly devour Gogi’s Gambit.” — Booklist (starred review)
PRAISE FOR MEZ’S MAGIC: “Unlike anything I’ve read. Eliot Schrefer has mined the richness and depths of his setting to find a deeper magic, immersing us in a world that is at once complex, dangerous, beautiful, and ultimately demanding of our protection. A thrilling start to an exceptional new series.” — Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil series
? “While the story is pure fast-paced fantasy, the underlying issues are real. Ignorance among the species, racism, and intolerance of differences are rampant. An author’s note highlights the beauty and importance of the rainforest. Magic with depth in this new series stunner.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Just right for middle grade readers who want an engrossing fantasy adventure.” — School Library Journal
“With a memorable, quick-bantering cast, this kickoff to the Lost Rainforest series, a playful departure from Schrefer’s ape novels, brings fresh perspective to the magical animal subgenre. And, despite the fantasy setup, readers will come away learning quite a bit about this ecosystem and its inhabitants.” — Publishers Weekly
“Mez’s Magic is packed with as many jokes as fast-paced fight scenes. And Schrefer has created a stock of memorable characters—including Gogi, a monkey with self-esteem issues; Rumi, a delightfully urbane tree frog; and a manic, pixie-dream bat named Lima.” — New York Times Book Review
PRAISE FOR RESCUED: — “[T]he portrayal of Raja as an intelligent, complex individual is gripping and heartbreaking. Schrefer continues to be a vital voice for wildlife conservation and ape empathy.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Schrefer, a well-deserving two-time National Book Award finalist, approaches the conundrums and difficulties of our relationship with apes with sensitivity and finesse... enthralling, fast-paced, adventurous and deeply touching.” — New York Times Book Review
“This is a book that combines skillful interpretation of orangutan character, the cruelty inherent in keeping apes as pets, and the plight of the wild orangutans. Eliot has created unforgettable characters in Raja, the orphaned ape and his human ‘brother,’ John. Moving, fascinating and eye opening.” — Dr. Jane Goodall
“Schrefer beautifully shows the humanity we share with all living things.” — School Library Journal
“Well researched and emotionally rich.” — The Horn Book
Booklist
"[An] amusing series opener. The book really shines in its descriptive details, from the hilariously disjointed way that the “animal internet” operates to the coziness of a rat-run pub under an auto shop. It’s not all silliness, however, as there are plenty of ecological lessons, from the effects of global warming to human carelessness."
New York Times Book Review
Mez’s Magic is packed with as many jokes as fast-paced fight scenes. And Schrefer has created a stock of memorable characters—including Gogi, a monkey with self-esteem issues; Rumi, a delightfully urbane tree frog; and a manic, pixie-dream bat named Lima.
Booklist (starred review)
?“Schrefer’s second book in the Lost Rainforest series continues the enthralling fantasy adventures of this eclectic group of animals and hints at where the next threat to the rain forest will come from. Fans of Mez’s Magic and Katherine Applegate’s Endling #1: The Last (2018) will eagerly devour Gogi’s Gambit.
Soman Chainani
PRAISE FOR MEZ’S MAGIC: “Unlike anything I’ve read. Eliot Schrefer has mined the richness and depths of his setting to find a deeper magic, immersing us in a world that is at once complex, dangerous, beautiful, and ultimately demanding of our protection. A thrilling start to an exceptional new series.
Booklist
"[An] amusing series opener. The book really shines in its descriptive details, from the hilariously disjointed way that the “animal internet” operates to the coziness of a rat-run pub under an auto shop. It’s not all silliness, however, as there are plenty of ecological lessons, from the effects of global warming to human carelessness."
Dr. Jane Goodall
This is a book that combines skillful interpretation of orangutan character, the cruelty inherent in keeping apes as pets, and the plight of the wild orangutans. Eliot has created unforgettable characters in Raja, the orphaned ape and his human ‘brother,’ John. Moving, fascinating and eye opening.
The Horn Book
Well researched and emotionally rich.
School Library Journal
12/01/2020
Gr 2–5—When Esquire Fox and her partner Mr. Pepper, a gentlemanly rooster, get the message that an animal of some kind is trapped on an ice floe, they rush to the rescue. As the founders of the Animal Rescue Agency, they have sworn to help any animal who is in trouble. On arrival in Utqiagvik, Alaska, they learn that the animal they need to save is a baby polar bear named Little Claws. It has been stranded on an ice floe by a mysterious man in a white fur hat, who soon captures them as well. It will require the help of some unlikely animal allies and a daring adventure in the Arctic Sea to rescue the stranded polar bear while escaping the villainous poacher. With its odd-couple protagonists (the daring, but slightly vain Esquire Fox and stodgy, sensible Mr. Pepper), and entertaining portrayal of the animal world, this new series by the Endangered author is full of lighthearted adventure. Cartoon-style illustrations by Duncan add to the story's charm. The field notes at the end explain the real-life perils faced by polar bears in the face of climate change, and include resources explaining the causes of polar ice loss and how kids can help. This also includes a recipe for mushroom jerky. VERDICT This lively new series will appeal to fans of Elisabetta Dami's "Geronimo Stilton" and other anthropomorphic animal adventure stories.—Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA
Kirkus Reviews
2020-10-13
The Animal Rescue Agency, helmed by fox Esquire and rooster Mr. Pepper, saves a stranded polar bear cub.
Mother polar bear Big Claws and her baby, Little Claws, emerge from hibernation only to have Little Claws fall into a trap that leaves him stranded on an ice floe. Big Claws’ message for help sets Esquire and Mr. Pepper into action. They hop on a train to Anchorage, then dog-sled to Utqiagvik, Alaska, as the story plunges them into intrigue and action, working against an openly evil wild-animal trafficker. Although the action maintains a steady pace—with captures and escapes aplenty—certain plot elements fall apart under scrutiny. Instead, the focus is on the duo’s dynamic, crotchety and full of good-natured insults. Esquire’s dashing and flashy—down to her fashion statements—while business-minded Mr. Pepper tends toward the practical. Utqiagvik’s description isn’t exactly flattering, even given the vulpine perspective, and readers looking for Alaskan Native representation there will be disappointed. The villain is the only human character, described as “gray” but presenting White and looking like a fur hat–wearing Capt. Hook in the cartoon art. Backmatter includes information on how climate change threatens polar bears, along with Mr. Pepper’s recipe for mushroom jerky (a favorite of Esquire’s, who’s sworn off eating animals). Esquire, unlike the other animals, is highly anthropomorphized in the art, mostly going about on two feet. Only she and Mr. Pepper wear clothing.
A well-meaning but only partially successful series opener. (Animal fantasy. 8-12.)
