Book Reviews

The Extincts by Veronica Cossanteli

George is looking for a job to raise money for a new bike, so when he sees a Help Wanted ad for Wormestall Farm, he goes for it. The ad is searching for the Right Person, and George hopes that’s him. Before long, he’s involved in a madcap adventure involving creatures both (supposedly) extinct and (previously-thought-to-be) mythological, a new friend, and a maniacal taxidermist who wants the animals of Wormestall Farm in her own private collection . . . stuffed, of course.

 

As soon as I read that this farm had not just extinct animals but cryptic animals, I knew I had to read this book. I wish this book existed back when I was a kid. I was obsessed with mythical and supernatural creatures when I was younger. I made an alphabetical list of them that I updated frequently.

 

Seven different kinds of extinct animals are mentioned in this story, and I had fun looking them up online. Check out the glossary at the back of this book to learn more about the animals living at Wormestall Farm.

 

The only thing that would have made this story better is if it had a Tasmanian tiger as one of the extinct animals. I learned about this animal on Wild Kratts. See a picture below:

Just look at those stripes! And that mouth! I wish these animals were still around.

 

I recommend this story to young fans of animal fantasy adventures.

 

This week’s Weird but True Fact about Cloning

Bringing extinct animals back to life through cloning is possible only for animals that have left cells or DNA that scientists can use in the lab.

3rd Grade and Up