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Ruuxa & Raina: A Cheetah and Dog's True Story of Friendship and Miracles

by Georgeanne Irvine (Author)

Ruuxa & Raina: A Cheetah and Dog's True Story of Friendship and Miracles
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Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
cms Common Sense Media Review
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for Young Reader Nonfiction.

This true story of Ruuxa the cheetah and his best friend, Raina the Rhodesian Ridgeback, will leave readers moved and forever changed. Ruuxa, born with front legs that grew crooked, and Raina, diagnosed with terminal cancer, have a friendship like no other. They prove that miracles can and do happen when you have a best buddy by your side.

Cheetah and dog pairs have been animal ambassadors at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park for decades. Naturally cautious of new situations, cheetahs are comforted by their dog buddies, allowing the pair to help their trainers teach humans about the magnificence of cheetahs and how they can be saved in the wild. Raised together as cub and pup, the cheetah and dog become best buddies. Trainers, who work with the duos every day, regularly witness the close bond that the two animals have been able to form. But, there has never been as miraculous a bond as that between Ruuxa the cheetah and his Rhodesian Ridgeback pal, Raina.

This book is one of three in the Hope & Inspiration Series which includes Karen's Heart and Fabulous Floyd. Get all three books to be truly inspired!
cms Common Sense Media Review
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School Library Journal

GR 2–4—Animal playmates Ruuxa and Raina met at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Neither appeared to find anything unusual about bonding with a friend of a different species; Ruuxa is a cheetah cub and Raina is a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. Before long the two were inseparable—playing, snuggling, and, after Ruuxa's necessary leg surgery, running with boundless energy. This friendship story is enhanced by abundant, heartwarming photos that are effective at showing each creature's devotion to the other. A cancer diagnosis and treatment for Raina prompt the zoo's trainers to prepare for the future by bringing in Little Rae—a new puppy companion. While this troubling development will require further explanation for young readers, the story does end with a hopeful prognosis. Extra fun facts accompany the narrative. VERDICT A solid purchase where stories about unusual animal matchups are popular.—Gloria Koster, formerly at West School, New Canaan, CT

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781943198061
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Press
Publication date
May 20, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003200 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Zoos
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Animals
Social behavior in animals
Cheetah
Dog
Independent Book Publishers Association
Benjamin Franklin Gold Award for Young Reader Nonfiction 2018 - 2018

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