By: Betty Vanderwielen
Format: Available in Paperback, ePub, and MOBI
Genre: Historical Animal Story
Raccoon Summer
Climbing the tree to rescue the orphaned baby raccoons was just the beginning.
From eye dropper to bottle feedings, from wiggling worms to pinching crayfish, from cage building to camping trips to final release—Lance’s summer has never been so busy, or so bodaciously awesome. He could almost call it a perfect summer.
Except for the situation with his mom.
His mom who is thinking of adopting a human baby—a baby with Down syndrome.
Meet Betty Vanderwielen, the author of Raccoon Summer.
Annie Downer –
This was such a great read! I could hardly put it down. If you told me I was going to read a book about rehabilitating raccoons, I wouldn’t have thought it could be so interesting! And it wasn’t just about rehabilitating raccoons. I also loved that it was set in the late ’90s and had Star Wars references, including Yoda Soda, which my siblings and I made to go with our annual Star Wars dinner that we made each year the day before school started. 🙂 P.S. I think this would be a great science/nature read for learning.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Vonna Carter –
Lance, a thirteen-year-old boy of divorced parents lives with his father and stepmom during the week and spends weekends with his mother. His best friend Hunter also has divorced parents but lives with his mom, stepdad, and toddler half-sister. Both boys are Instantly likeable due to their determination to save three baby raccoons when their mother dies after Lance’s dad hits it with his car. Lance’s dad is unsympathetic to the babies Lance rescues—raccoons are destructive pests! Though Lance’s mom lives far away, she comes up with a plan. But mom has other plans she’s been keeping secret, and when Lance finds out, his world falls apart.
I’m a sucker for animal rescue stories so I really enjoyed Raccoon Summer. Kids who love animals will be fascinated with the descriptions of the emergency care and long-term care of the baby raccoons. Adults of kids who love animals will appreciate the no-excuses approach to responsibility. Multiple family conflicts run throughout this story, but the portrayal of stepparents is always positive. There is also a positive portrayal of a child living with Down Syndrome.