Adam�s Tropical Adventure. (First Novels, No. 56). Marie D�cary. Illustrated by Steve Beshwaty. Translated by Sarah Cummins. Halifax, NS: Formac, 2005. 54 pp., pbk. & cl., $5.95 (pbk.), $14.94 (cl.). ISBN 0-88780-686-4 (pbk.), ISBN 0-88780-687-2 (cl.). Subject Headings: Birds-Juvenile fiction. Animal welfare-Juvenile fiction. Smuggling-Juvenile fiction. Grades 2-4 / Ages 7-9. Review by Barb Taylor. *** /4

excerpt:

�Aaaagh!� He yelled, covering his face.

Whew! He was safe. But his head had become a roost. Long red feathers dangled in front of his nose.�

Marie Decary has put just the right amount of suspense and action into this �First Novel� to keep young readers interested. Her protagonist, Adam, travels to Discovery Island with his Grandmother Zo�, an environmental reporter. While there, Adam chums up with �The Doubles,� Aida and her brother Gaspard, daughter and son of the bed and breakfast owner. They set off on a jungle adventure and discover a rare roocoocoo bird. Unfortunately, the evil Varmint, known for picking and selling rare plant and animal life to foreigners, has also discovered the bird.

     Marie Decary keeps her audience on the edge of their seats waiting to discover the fate of the roocoocoo bird and his mate. Will Adam and the Doubles be able to save the birds in time? Or will the birds be sold off to foreign lands?

     The black and white cartoon-like illustrations will appeal to the 7-9 year-old audience for which I would recommend this book. The simple vocabulary and high interest level of the story make this a commendable �First Novel.�

Recommended.

Barb Taylor, of Calgary, AB, is a pre-kindergarten teacher and a freelance writer.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright � the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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