Review: Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson

In this funny and moving animals-in-peril adventure, a twelve-year-old girl and her two best friends determine to rescue two orphaned beaver kits—and soon find themselves trying to solve a local environmental crisis. Perfect for fans of Pax and A Boy Called Bat.

Everyone knows that twelve-year-old Madison “Madi” Lewis is not allowed to bring home any more animals. After she's saved hairless mice, two birds, a rabbit, and a stray tom cat that ended up destroying the front porch, Madi’s parents decide that if they find one more stray animal in the house, she won’t be allowed to meet Jane Goodall at an upcoming gala event.

But when Madi and her two best friends, Aaron and Jack, rescue beaver kits whose mother was killed, they find themselves at the center of a local conspiracy that’s putting the beavers and their habitats in danger. As Madi and her friends race to uncover the threat targeting the beavers, Madi must put her animal whisperer skills to the test in both raising the orphaned beaver kits and staying out of trouble long enough.

Kindle, 208 pages

Published April 27th 2021 

by HMH Books for Young Readers

4/5 stars

Rescue at Lake Wild was a fun read! Terry Lynn Johnson is no stranger to me, I've read a number of her books and love her love of the great outdoors.  Ice Dogs and Dogsled Dreams are my favourites.

This book is the story of 3 friends and a dog named Lid, they find themselves on an adventure over the summer break. Madi isn't a stranger when it comes to rescuing wild animals and sometimes she gets more than she bargained for. She is determined, smart and up for the challenge, anger flairs when injustices are done in the wild.  Her friends Aaron and Jack added that extra comic relief to this story.

Again the writing was spot on.  It was descriptive, informative and I read it in a couple sittings. While its perfect for young readers I quite enjoyed myself. The author's knowledge of baby beavers was evident, it felt natural as Madi used knowledge and instinct to care for them.  It didn't feel like an info dump getting to know the habits and traits of these beaver kits. The ending might have been a tad rushed but still a fitting conclusion.

Rescue at Lake Wild releases on April 27th and available for preorder now.  

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.