My Best Friend Is Extinct

A good choice for lovers of animal and friendship stories. 

Amid near-endless snowfall, Henry Springs, 10, a recent transplant from Vancouver Island, struggles to fit in at his new school in a mountain town, even after he receives a shovel as a present from his mother and joins one of the two teams creating snow tunnels in the schoolyard. While tunneling to escape bullies, Henry uncovers an injured creature that he has never seen before--one with blue eyes and white fur. Startled, he falls and suffers a concussion. But Henry can't forget the creature's face during his recovery, even when others doubt its existence. He soon finds the creature (a "short-faced bear") and nurses it back to health, naming it Yarp. Henry learns that Yarp's family is in danger from saber-toothed tigers (which he dubs "fangers")--and that he'll need the help of everyone at school to save Yarp and his family. Li's whimsical b&w illustrations increase the appeal of this sweet tale. Barrett glosses over how two extinct prehistoric species have come to exist in the present day, but readers who enjoy adventure stories with animals will appreciate the fast-paced chapters and the touching bond between a boy and his bear. Ages 8-10. (Mar.)

Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-5--In this heavily illustrated middle grade novel, a young white boy named Henry struggles to fit in after moving to a Canadian mountain town. The area is experiencing the snowiest winter in memory, and it's rumored a new ice age is beginning. The kids at school take advantage of the weather to construct rival snow forts and prepare for an epic recess battle. Meanwhile, Henry discovers a group of bearlike creatures long believed extinct. He must convince his skeptical classmates to help him save the bears from a pack of saber-toothed cats. Li's illustrations add much to this novel, illuminating character and setting descriptions. A helpful map is also included. The story is engaging and will draw in readers. However, some of the characters are written less realistically than others. Henry's mother barely seems angry after he runs away, and she entertains ideas that most parents wouldn't even consider, like letting him ride along on her late-night snowplow route. It also seems unlikely that schoolchildren would have the patience to spend weeks constructing snow forts and gathering snowballs before starting a battle. Despite these shortcomings, this is an intriguing look at what might happen if an ice age began today, and a heartwarming tale of finding home. VERDICT A fun addition to fiction collections for early middle grade readers.--Kelly Jahng, South Park Elem. Sch., IL

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

My Best Friend Is Extinct is a wild romp through the hidden world of a snow-covered town. Readers will cheer for quirky and loveable Henry as he navigates the challenges of friendship with his classmates and his new buddy and prehistoric creature, Yarp.—Sara Leach, award-winning author of Count Me In