Raccoon Rescue (True Tales of Rescue)

Gr 2-4--This newest addition to the series follows a litter of raccoons through their time at WildCare, a wildlife sanctuary in San Rafael, CA. Written from the vibrant perspective of "Mr. Green," one of the kits, the story takes readers through the first several months of the raccoons' lives, framed by the four steps of reintroducing a wild animal to its habitat: rescue, recovery, rehabilitation, and release. Animal-loving readers will be fascinated by the details of looking after infant raccoons, complete with plenty of photos of volunteers caring for the kits--first by bottle-feeding them, then by taking a step back and helping them get ready for life outdoors. Through Mr. Green's eyes, Einhorn explains how human activity has forced raccoons to become resourceful about coexisting with people and presents a sympathetic view of a creature often regarded as a pest. Back matter includes interviews with the volunteers primarily responsible for this litter's rehabilitation, tips for protecting urban wildlife, and a glossary of terms. VERDICT Newly independent readers with a preference for nonfiction will be satisfied by this lively animal-rescue tale.--Katherine Barr, Cameron Village Regional Library, Raleigh, NC