Duke's Den

January 15, 2016
An 11-year-old girl does her best to protect her mom's new tenants as they run an animal-rescue center out of the basement. Most of the animals Duke and Gabriella rescue are reptiles, including snakes. Snakes terrify Amelia's mom, so Amelia does her best to keep Duke and Gabriella's project under wraps. When a snake gets loose in Amelia's house, however, the secret gets out, and her mom decides to evict the couple. But Amelia has become increasingly involved with the rescue operation, especially when her favorite tortoise, Winston, develops a life-threatening illness. Winston needs expensive medicine, but Duke and Gabriella are struggling financially. Amelia decides to try various fundraising schemes but keeps coming up short. As more animals need rescuing and Winston's condition deteriorates, Amelia also hides a letter about a possible new home for Duke and Gabriella because she doesn't want them to leave. Citra keeps the focus light, even with the illness of the turtle, and delivers some life lessons with grace. The story neatly focuses on the passions not only of Amelia, but also of Duke and Gabriella, in whom Amelia finds an extended family after her parents' divorce. It all comes together in a lovely little episode that animal-loving young readers should especially find resonant. Sweet and lively. (Fiction. 8-11)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Eleven-year-old Amelia is struggling to adjust to a new Vancouver neighborhood in the aftermath of her parents' separation. All of her new neighbors seem unfriendly, snobby, and even scary. Her father is starting fresh with a new family, while her newly single mother, Diane, is trying to make ends meet by renting out their dark, low-ceilinged apartment in the basement. Amelia feels relieved when Duke and Gabriella rent the apartment, as they seem friendly and fun. However, Amelia quickly discovers that the new tenants were not forthcoming about their myriad animal companions. Now, she must keep them from getting evicted-by her own mother! Animal lovers will appreciate the descriptions and personalities of Amelia's new animal friends, which include reptiles of all shapes and sizes, a bird who lost his feathers, and even some hammock-loving ferrets. The story is not without flaws; Amelia's conflicted feelings and confusing relationship with her semiestranged father are not fully explored. A side plot involving Queen Elizabeth II detracts from the authenticity of the story and could have been omitted. Readers will nonetheless enjoy Amelia's journey to a predictable but satisfying conclusion and cheer her realization that first impressions don't need to be final ones. VERDICT Fans of Paul Fleischman's Seedfolks (HarperCollins, 1997) will enjoy this tale that celebrates the power of community to help and heal.-Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH

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