Here are the 49 best animal books of 2021 according to Google. Find your new favorite book from the local library with one click.
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1. Tender Is the Bite
by: Spencer Quinn Release date: Jul 06, 2021 Number of Pages: 272 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Spencer Quinn’s Tender Is the Bite is a brand new adventure in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that Stephen King calls “without a doubt the most original mystery series currently available.” Chet and Bernie are contacted by a terribly scared young woman who seems to want their help. Before she can even tell them her name, she flees in panic. But in that brief meeting Chet sniffs out an important secret about her, a secret at the heart of the mystery he and Bernie set out to solve. It’s a case with no client and no crime and yet great danger, with the duo facing a powerful politician who has a lot to lose. Their only hope lies with a ferret named Griffie who adores Bernie. Is there room for a ferret in the Chet and Bernie relationship? That’s the challenge Chet faces, the biggest of his career. Hanging in the balance are the lives of two mistreated young women and the future of the whole state. At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
2. It’s a Wonderful Woof
by: Spencer Quinn Release date: Oct 19, 2021 Number of Pages: 304 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Spencer Quinn’s It’s a Wonderful Woof presents a holiday adventure for Chet the dog, “the most lovable narrator in crime fiction” (Boston Globe), and his human partner, PI Bernie Little. Holiday time in the Valley, and in the holiday spirit—despite the dismal shape of the finances at the Little Detective Agency—Bernie refers a potential client to Victor Klovsky, a fellow private eye. It’s also true that the case—promising lots of online research but little action—doesn’t appeal to Bernie, while it seems perfect for Victor, who is not cut out for rough stuff. But Victor disappears in a rough-stuff way, and when he doesn’t show up at his mom’s to light the Hanukkah candles, she hires Chet and Bernie to find him. They soon discover that Victor’s client has also vanished. The trail leads to the ruins of a mission called Nuestra Señora de los Saguaros, dating back to the earliest Spanish explorers. Some very dangerous people are interested in the old mission. Does some dusty archive hold the secret of a previously unknown art treasure, possibly buried for centuries? What does the Flight into Egypt—when Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus fled Herod—have to do with saguaros, the Sonoran desert cactus? No one is better than Chet at nosing out buried secrets, but before he can, he and Bernie are forced to take flight themselves, chased through a Christmas Eve blizzard by a murderous foe who loves art all too much. At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
3. Bravelands: Curse of the Sandtongue #1: Shadows on the Mountain
by: Erin Hunter Release date: May 18, 2021 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Erin Hunter’s bestselling Bravelands series continues with a brand-new arc! A gorilla with a deadly secret. A leopard struck by tragedy. A gazelle cast out of her herd. For generations, the Silverback gorilla troop has lived in peaceful seclusion high above the Great Herd, adhering to one rule: “blood pools on the plains.” But when a new and terrifying evil descends on their home, every animal must venture into the unknown to prevent darkness from overtaking all they hold dear. Full of epic adventure and thrilling intrigue, this new Bravelands adventure will thrill readers who love the Spirit Animals and Wings of Fire series, as well as the legion of dedicated fans who’ve made Erin Hunter a bestselling phenomenon.
4. Lily to the Rescue: Lost Little Leopard
by: W. Bruce Cameron Release date: Feb 23, 2021 Number of Pages: 144 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Lily to the Rescue: Lost Little Leopard is a new addition to the irresistible chapter book series from the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, featuring Lily, a rescue dog who rescues other animals! Lily lives with her girl, Maggie Rose. Once a stray, Lily was rescued by the kind people at the animal shelter run by Maggie Rose’s mom. Now she has a very important purpose: to rescue other animals in trouble. When a lost little Amur leopard is brought to the zoo and needs a friend, it’s Lily to the rescue! At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
5. The Animal Rescue Agency #1: Case File: Little Claws
by: Eliot Schrefer Release date: Jan 12, 2021 Number of Pages: 176 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer introduces a delightful and dynamic animal duo in a race against time to save a polar bear cub in the first book of this hilarious and heartwarming middle grade series about friendship and conservation. When an animal is in trouble, there’s only one place to turn: the Animal Rescue Agency! Dashing Esquire Fox used to organize the world’s most elaborate chicken raids until the day she encountered Mr. Pepper. Meeting the blustery old rooster changed her heart, convincing her to turn from a life of crime and instead form the Animal Rescue Agency, which masterminds rescue operations across the globe. Esquire and her unlikely chicken business manager coordinate their far-flung agents to get them to the Arctic. In that frozen land they learn that what happened to the polar bear cub was no accident—and that saving him will pit them against the scariest predator in the world: a human.
6. Endling #3: The Only
by: Katherine Applegate Release date: Mar 02, 2021 Number of Pages: 304 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
The thrilling conclusion to the epic middle grade fantasy trilogy from Katherine Applegate, the New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan (now a major motion picture!), The One and Only Bob, Wishtree, and Crenshaw! In the beginning, Byx’s original quest was to discover if there were more of her kind, or if she was destined to become an endling—the last dairne alive. She did indeed find more dairnes, and along the way she also created allies among other creatures in her world, including humans, felivets, raptidons, and wobbyks. But Byx and her new friends soon learned that it wasn’t just dairnes in jeopardy of extinction, but that everyone was at risk. With the world in unprecedented danger, Byx must rally creatures of all kinds to lead a revolution. Katherine Applegate’s Endling series has so far earned a collective five starred reviews, and each of the prior books has debuted on the New York Times bestseller list. She once again delivers an action-packed middle grade fantasy with a unique setting, enthralling characters, and gripping adventure that is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Brian Jacques, and Tui T. Sutherland.
7. Lily to the Rescue: The Misfit Donkey
by: W. Bruce Cameron Release date: Feb 23, 2021 Number of Pages: 144 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Lily to the Rescue: The Misfit Donkey is a new addition to the irresistible chapter book series from the New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, featuring Lily, a rescue dog who rescues other animals! Lily lives with her girl, Maggie Rose. Once a stray, Lily was rescued by the kind people at the animal shelter run by Maggie Rose’s mom. Now she has a very important purpose: to rescue other animals in trouble. A baby misfit donkey tries to make friends with a herd of older donkeys from a neighboring farm, only to be rejected again and again. No one can figure out why—until Lily comes to visit. It’s Lily to the rescue! At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
8. The Fallen Queen
by: Kate O’Hearn Release date: Jul 20, 2021 Number of Pages: 464 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
“Astraea and Zephyr venture to the Mimic home world in order to save Titus and defeat the Mimics for good in this third book of the Titans series”–
9. Wild & Chance: The Puppy War
by: Allen Zadoff Release date: May 18, 2021 Number of Pages: 256 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Jason Bourne meets Homeward Bound in book two of this fast-paced series where Wild—an unusually intelligent dog—must stop adorably cute, but dangerous, puppies from being released to the greater Los Angeles area with the help of her friends. Wild has been on the run—jumping from one family to the next—ever since she left Chance almost a year ago. But when a mysterious canine corporation, C.A.T., abducts her and threatens to hurt Chance, she will stop at nothing to escape and find her old friend. Together again, Wild and Chance must enlist the help of Junebug to hack into C.A.T.’s computer to discover what they really want. But along the way, the group is reunited with an old friend and introduced to the Puppio puppies—love-at-first-sight cute, with massive eyes, who smell like apple pie. Even though they may look cute on the outside, Wild is convinced everything isn’t as it seems. When she finds out a shocking discovery about her past, Wild must decide who is more important to protect—her past, her best friend, or the greater Los Angeles area who are in incredible Puppio danger. Equal parts heart-pounding action and heartfelt journey, this second book in the Wild & Chance series grabs readers from page one and never lets go.
10. Cooper’s Story
by: W. Bruce Cameron Release date: Jun 01, 2021 Number of Pages: 208 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A brand new Puppy Tale from the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the A Dog’s Purpose series, W. Bruce Cameron! When Cooper — a Malamute-Great Dane puppy — is taken to an adoption fair, he finds the perfect forever home with a boy named Burke. Soon Cooper discovers his very important purpose: to help Burke by pulling his wheelchair, fetching things for him, and assisting him in and out of his chair. Cooper’s Story is an uplifting new Puppy Tale in the popular series by #1 New York Times bestselling author W. Bruce Cameron. At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
11. Egg Marks the Spot
by: Amy Timberlake Release date: Sep 14, 2021 Number of Pages: 160 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Roommates Skunk and Badger head out on a rock-finding expedition that becomes much more dangerous than they ever expected in this second book of the national bestselling and award-winning odd-couple series that has been compared to Wallace and Gromit and Winnie the Pooh Buried in the heart of every animal is a secret treasure. Badger’s is the Spider Eye Agate, stolen years ago by his crafty and treasure-trade-dealing cousin, Fisher. Skunk’s is Sundays with the New Yak Times Book Review. When Mr. G. Hedgehog threatens to take the Book Review as soon as it thumps on the doorstep, Skunk decides an adventure (“X marks the spot!”) will solve both their problems. Badger agrees, and together they set off for his favorite campsite on Endless Lake. But all is not as it seems at Campsite #5. Harrumphs in the night. Unexpected friends. Then Fisher appears, and Badger knows something is up. Something involving secrets, betrayals and lies. And a luminous, late-Jurassic prize. In a volume that includes full-colour plates and additional black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott medallist Jon Klassen, Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake takes readers on a second adventure in the new series reviewers have called an instant classic, with comparisons to Frog and Toad, Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows.
12. Feral Creatures
by: Kira Jane Buxton Release date: Aug 24, 2021 Number of Pages: 320 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
In this stunning follow-up to Hollow Kingdom, the animal kingdom’s “favorite apocalyptic hero”is back with a renewed sense of hope for humanity, ready to take on a world ravaged by a viral pandemic (Helen Macdonald). Once upon an apocalypse, there lived an obscenely handsome American crow named S.T. . . . When the world last checked-in with its favorite Cheeto addict, the planet had been overrun by flesh-hungry beasts, and nature had started re-claiming her territory from humankind. S.T., the intrepid crow, alongside his bloodhound-bestie Dennis, had set about saving pets that had become trapped in their homes after humanity went the way of the dodo. That is, dear reader, until S.T. stumbled upon something so rare—and so precious—that he vowed to do everything in his power to safeguard what could, quite literally, be humanity’s last hope for survival. But in a wild world plagued by prejudiced animals, feather-raising environments, new threats so terrifying they make zombies look like baby bunnies, and a horrendous dearth of cheesy snacks, what’s a crow to do? Why, wing it on another big-hearted, death-defying adventure, that’s what! Joined by a fabulous new cast of animal characters, S.T. faces many new challenges plus his biggest one yet: parenthood. Includes a Reading Group Guide.
13. Dog Eat Dog
by: David Rosenfelt Release date: Jul 06, 2021 Number of Pages: 304 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his golden retriever, Tara, work to free a man who risked it all to help a dog in need Lawyer Andy Carpenter and his wife, Laurie, enjoy walking their dogs, Tara and Sebastian. By this point in their marriage, it’s routine. When out for one of their strolls, their simple ritual isn’t so simple anymore. Across the street, a man is mistreating his dog. Three things happen at once: Andy yells, Laurie runs to stop the abuse, and so does a closer passerby, who so thoroughly beats the owner that both are arrested when the cops arrive. Andy scoops up the dog and takes him to the Tara Foundation, the dog rescue organization that’s always been his true passion. Meanwhile, at the police station, the passerby is identified as Matthew Jantzen, and he’s wanted for murder. Andy and Laurie are struck by the fact that Jantzen, a man on the run, would nevertheless intervene to help a dog, and decide to find out more. Dog Eat Dog, the twenty-second installment in the Andy Carpenter series, features the charming cast of characters – old and new – that David Rosenfelt is known for and the dogs that accompany them.
14. Animals’ Best Friends
by: Barbara J. King Release date: Mar 23, 2021 Number of Pages: 280 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
“How do people who love animals translate that devotion into helping creatures who are not our pets? How do we express our care for animals when that means different things to omnivores and vegetarians-or, say, to hunters and non-hunters? Barbara J. King, a widely read expert on animal cognition and emotion, here guides readers through the difficult choices and deep rewards of turning empathy into action on behalf of animals. King discusses our relationship to animals in five different contexts: our homes, the wild, zoos, our food system, and research facilities such as biomedical laboratories. She offers a host of ways in which each of us can be better, and do better, for animals. Acting to improve animals’ lives can, she shows, immeasurably enrich our own. True, there is also heartache and the risk of burnout from endlessness of animal rescue the dilemmas that attend it. But King’s focus is on the joys. She describes the “happiness lift” that she herself has experienced joining with other activists on behalf of animals destined for slaughter or confined in sub-standard zoos-and in rescuing dozens of cats, some of whom we meet in this book. This is a book for anyone who cares for animals and wishes to do more for them, whether it’s learning to live peaceably with spiders in the home or join with others to rescue our more dramatically endangered animal friends”–
15. How to Talk to a Tiger . . . And Other Animals
by: Jason Bittel Release date: Apr 13, 2021 Number of Pages: 64 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A quirky compendium of animal chatterboxes Ever wanted to talk to a tiger? Or chatter with a cheetah? Or yak with a yak? This book brings together a babble of more than 100 beasties and explores the amazing ways they talk to each other. From fish that fart to alligators that dunk to fire worms that flash, you’ll discover that wildlife have the strangest ways of sending a message . . .
16. Empire of Ants
by: Susanne Foitzik, Olaf Fritsche Release date: Mar 30, 2021 Number of Pages: 352 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
This sweeping portrait of the world’s uncontested six-legged conquerors will open your eyes to the secret societies thriving right beneath your feet—and shift your perspective on humanity. Ants number in the ten quadrillions, and they have been here since the Jurassic era. Inside an anthill, you’ll find high drama worthy of a royal court; and between colonies, high-stakes geopolitical intrigue is afoot. Just like us, ants grow crops, raise livestock, tend their young and infirm, and make vaccines. And, just like us, ants have a dark side: They wage war, despoil environments, and enslave rivals—but also rebel against their oppressors. Engineered by nature to fulfill their particular roles, ants flawlessly perform a complex symphony of tasks to sustain their colony—seemingly without a conductor—from fearsome army ants, who stage twelve-hour hunting raids where they devour thousands, to gentle leafcutters cooperatively gardening in their peaceful underground kingdoms. Acclaimed biologist Susanne Foitzik has traveled the globe to study these master architects of Earth. Joined by journalist Olaf Fritsche, Foitzik invites readers deep into her world—in the field and in the lab. (How do you observe the behavior of ants just millimeters long—or dissect a brain the width of a needle?) Richly illustrated and photographed in full color, Empire of Ants will inspire new respect for ants as a global superpower—and raise new questions about the very meaning of “civilization.”
17. The Glitter in the Green
by: Jon Dunn Release date: Apr 20, 2021 Number of Pages: 320 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
An acclaimed natural history writer follows the trail of the magical hummingbird Hummingbirds are a glittering, sparkling collective of over three hundred wildly variable species. For centuries, they have been revered by indigenous Americans, coveted by European collectors, and admired worldwide for their unsurpassed metallic plumage and immense character. Yet they exist on a knife-edge, fighting for habitats in boreal woodlands, dripping cloud forests, and subpolar islands. They are, perhaps, the ultimate embodiment of evolution’s power to carve a niche for a delicate creature in even the harshest of places. Traveling the full length of the hummingbirds’ range, from the cusp of the Arctic Circle to near-Antarctic islands, acclaimed nature writer Jon Dunn encounters birders, scientists, and storytellers in his quest to find bouquets of this beguiling creature, immersing us in the world of one of Earth’s most charismatic species.
18. Clarice the Brave
by: Lisa McMann Release date: Oct 12, 2021 Number of Pages: 272 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds brings us an epic animal adventure story perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander. The only good cat is a fed cat. Clarice, a young ship mouse, knows this to be true. She and her brother, Charles Sebastian, were taught to be careful—as all mice are—but caution is no match for the sea, which took their mother, and it is certainly no match for Special Lady, the horrid cat who ate their sister. Now the siblings hide in their pantry crate, knowing every move they make could be their last. When a shocking mutiny forces Clarice onto a small, leaky boat with Special Lady and a dozen hungry sailors with deadly boots, Charles Sebastian is left on the ship to fend off mutineers, a flock of irate chickens, and an inquisitive human prisoner—a mouse’s worst enemy. Being careful may have saved them in the past, but now Clarice and Charles Sebastian will need to grow bold if they are to survive . . . and keep their promise to find one other again. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanteds comes an unforgettable adventure filled with perseverance, kindness, and hope.
19. The Last Bear
by: Hannah Gold Release date: Feb 02, 2021 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
An instant classic with a bear-sized heart, Hannah Gold’s debut novel is a touching story of kindness, adventure, and forging your own path—perfect for fans of Pax and A Wolf Called Wander. There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to a faraway Arctic outpost. But one night, April catches a glimpse of something distinctly bear shaped loping across the horizon. A polar bear who shouldn’t be there—who is hungry, lonely and a long way from home. An excellent choice for readers in grades 3 to 7, this fierce celebration of friendship includes full-page black-and-white illustrations throughout, as well as information about the real Bear Island and the plight of the polar bears.
20. Trip of the Dead
by: Angela Misri Release date: Feb 13, 2021 Number of Pages: 176 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A raccoon survivor in a zombie apocalypse wonders where all the other raccoons have gone and enlists the help of animal friends to find the answer.
21. Buster
by: Caleb Huett Release date: Apr 06, 2021 Number of Pages: 320 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Buster’s a therapy dog who needs to take matters into his own paws to help a boy understand his own anxiety even if it means breaking a few rules. Buster’s in big trouble. He’s been dragged to Dog Court for breaking one of the most sacred of all dog rules: Never, ever talk to a human, or let a human know how smart you really are. But he swears he had a good reason! The boy he’s been taking care of, Tonio, needed his help in a big way. You see, Tonio is afraid all the time — afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing, afraid of making a fool of himself or (even worse) hurting someone else’s feelings. His doctor thinks having a therapy dog will help his anxiety — and Buster wants to help. He really wants to help. Even if it means breaking the rules
22. Horse Girl
by: Carrie Seim Release date: Mar 30, 2021 Number of Pages: 240 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Mean Girls meets Black Beauty in Horse Girl by celebrated author Carrie Seim–a funny and tender middle-grade novel about finding your forever herd. “This book is funny and exciting. Beautifully portrays both the pleasures and risks of riding horses and also of being a teen. Very original, and a great pleasure to read.”–Jane Smiley, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Wills is a seventh grader who’s head-over-hoof for horses, and beyond excited when she gets the chance to start training at the prestigious Oakwood Riding Academy. But Amara–the Queen of the #HorseGirls–and her posse aren’t going to let the certifiably dork-tagious Wills trot her way into their club so easily. Between learning the reins of horse riding, dealing with her Air Force pilot mom being stationed thousands of miles from home, and keeping it together in front of (gasp!) Horse Boys, Wills learns that becoming a part of the #HorseGirl world isn’t easy. But with her rescue horse, Clyde, at her side, it sure will be fun. Complete with comedic, original hoof notes to acquaint the less equestrian among us, Horse Girl delivers everything a young readers wants: mean girls, boy problems, and embarrassingly goofy dad jokes. And it does so on the back of a pony.
23. Aslan
by: Kristin Kaldahl Release date: Mar 01, 2021 Number of Pages: 307 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
For fourteen-year-old Krissy, her new life maxim is pretty sad: First choices out. Second choices in. It’s been that way since dialysis left her disabled. Her limitations went from none to a ton, and now they stand in the way of her dream–to compete in dog agility with her runty sheltie pup, Aslan. Award-winning author and professional dog agility trainer Kristin Kaldahl weaves an authentic story of reclamation and simple love within the thrilling backdrop one of the world’s fastest growing canine sports–agility. A book for both adults and teens, ASLAN: RUNNING JOY is a contemporary dog novel in the vein of the classics that keeps the modern reader’s sensibilities in mind.
24. Sisters of the Wolf
by: Patricia Miller-Schroeder Release date: Aug 24, 2021 Number of Pages: 336 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Can two Ice Age teens separated from their tribes overcome their differences to outwit their pursuer and survive the unforgiving wilds? The climate is changing, game is disappearing, and two peoples of the Ice Age compete for survival in a savage world. Keena, from a powerful band of Neanderthals, and Shinoni, daughter of a Cro-Magnon shaman, are torn from their families by Haken, a ruthless hunter. The girls dislike each other but soon discover they need one another to survive. Together they escape but are pursued by Haken across an Ice Age landscape rumbling with advancing glaciers and teeming with mighty predators. As Shinoni and Keena work to overcome disaster at every turn, they are joined by Tewa, a powerful she-wolf who becomes their guardian and spirit guide. Can their growing friendship overcome cultural, racial, and even species differences? Will they ever be able to get back to their families? Only the spirits know.
25. Megabat and the Not-Happy Birthday
by: Anna Humphrey Release date: Mar 02, 2021 Number of Pages: 176 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
It’s Daniel’s birthday, and Megabat wants to join in all the fun, but his excitement gets the best of him and suddenly the birthday celebrations are on the brink of disaster. The next laugh-out-loud book in this sweet and funny chapter book series featuring a talking bat. Daniel isn’t in the birthday party mood. He hates his new glasses — they’re dorky, and he feels silly in them. Megabat LOVES Daniel’s new face windows! They make him dizzy and his tummy feel funny. And he loves parties even more! Daniel starts planning his party, and things are looking up — all of his friends are excited, and he has some fun games planned. Plus: presents! Megabat’s party excitement is losing steam. He has to hide the whole time. He can’t eat any of the delicious buttermelon. And he can’t participate in any games, even though it’s the thing he wants most in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD. When Megabat loses his temper and breaks Daniel’s best birthday gift, he realizes he’s been a bad friend and gives Daniel what he thinks is the best possible gift: he runs away. But being alone in the big, wide, world is harder than he thought. Kass Reich’s adorable illustrations paired with Anna Humphrey’s hilarious text make for another unforgettable Megabat adventure, one that will appeal to Megabat fans and newcomers!
26. Rescuing Rosie
by: Jean Ure Release date: Jul 08, 2021 Number of Pages: 224 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A brand-new adventure about animals and friendship. From the legendary author of the bestselling Frankie Foster series, Jean Ure.
27. Of a Feather
by: Dayna Lorentz Release date: Feb 09, 2021 Number of Pages: 336 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
“A perfect tale of outcasts, friendship, falconry, and the families we create.”–Tui T. Sutherland, New York Times bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series In the vein of Barbara O’Connor’s Wish, a moving, poignant story told in alternating perspectives about a down-on-her-luck girl who rescues a baby owl, and how the two set each other free. Great horned owl Rufus is eight months old and still can’t hunt. When his mother is hit by a car, he discovers just how dangerous the forest can be. Reenie has given up on adults and learned how to care for herself—a good thing, since she’s sent to live with an aunt she’s never met. Yet this aunt has a wonderful secret: she’s a falconer who agrees to help Reenie catch an injured passage hawk in the wild and rehabilitate it. When Reenie traps bedraggled Rufus, his eyes lock onto her heart, and they form a powerful friendship. But can Rufus learn to trust in the outside world and fly free? And can Reenie open her heart enough to truly soar?
28. The Elephant of Belfast
by: S. Kirk Walsh Release date: Apr 06, 2021 Number of Pages: 336 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Inspired by true events, this vivid and moving story of a young woman zookeeper and the elephant she’s compelled to protect through the German blitz of Belfast during WWll speaks to not only the tragedy of the times, but also to the ongoing sectarian tensions that still exist in Northern Ireland today—perfect for readers of historical and literary fiction alike. Belfast, October 1940. Twenty-year-old zookeeper Hettie Quin arrives at the city docks in time to meet her new charge: an orphaned three-year-old Indian elephant named Violet. As Violet adjusts to her new solitary life in captivity and Hettie mourns the recent loss of her sister and the abandonment of her father, new storm clouds gather. A world war rages, threatening a city already reeling from escalating tensions between British Loyalists and those fighting for a free and unified Ireland. The relative peace is shattered by air-raid sirens on the evening of Easter Tuesday 1941. Over the course of the next five hours, hundreds of bombs rain down upon Belfast, claiming almost a thousand lives and decimating the city. Dodging the debris and carnage of the Luftwaffe attack, Hettie runs to the zoo to make sure that Violet is unharmed. The harrowing ordeal and ensuing aftermath set the pair on a surprising path that highlights the indelible, singular bond that often brings mankind and animals together during horrifying times. Inspired by a largely forgotten chapter of World War II, S. Kirk Walsh deftly renders the changing relationship between Hettie and Violet, and their growing dependence on each other for survival and solace. The Elephant of Belfast is a complicated and beguiling portrait of hope and resilience–and how love can sustain us during the darkest moments of our lives.
29. The Last Rabbit
by: Shelley Moore Thomas Release date: Jan 01, 2021 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Albie, an enchanted rabbit who lived on the island of Hybrasil, visits each of her sisters, now living as humans, to decide where she wants to go before the island sinks.
30. Luna Howls at the Moon
by: Kristin O’Donnell Tubb Release date: Jun 15, 2021 Number of Pages: 240 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
The award-winning author of A Dog Like Daisy returns with a moving middle grade novel from the point of view of Luna, a Labrador therapy dog who accompanies her group therapy kids when they set off on an adventure across Austin, Texas. Luna has always wanted to be a therapy dog at Therapy Dogs Worldwide. Now she’s a whisker away from reaching her fifty-visit pin that will make it official. But when her “clients”—the children who visit her—are put into a therapy group, Luna’s routine is upended. Like the moon, Luna shows different faces at different times. And her clients each have different needs—Beatrice is tangled in knots of anger, Caleb rushes like a waterfall, Amelia carries fear heavy like a shadow, and Hector is quiet as a rock. To comfort the kids, Luna can be what they need her to be, but can she be everything to them all at once? When Hector doesn’t show up to a session one day, the kids set off on an unexpected quest to find him. Luna joins to keep them safe, and they must work together to almost learn the truth.
31. A Home for Merlin
by: Sheila Jeffries Release date: Jul 08, 2021 Number of Pages: 352 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
As the sun dips from the sky and drizzle begins to fall, a small ginger cat finds himself homeless and alone. Desperate for warmth and a home he scurries from house to house on the heels of a group of people delivering care packages. Each time a door is opened, the cat slips inside, and each time he is evicted. No one wants him until Theo, a gruff old man, opens his heart and home. Abandoned and friendless but for each other, Theo and Merlin try to find a way to heal, and hope for the future. But neither can forget those they left behind. For Merlin it’s young Imelda, a troubled 15-year-old girl, and Bully Boy, the feral cat that once mentored him. For Theo it’s the family that no longer speaks to him. Both wonder: can forgiveness ever be found? An inspiring, heartbreaking and uplifting story about friendship and forgiveness, and the extraordinary cat who is the most faithful of friends.
32. Stella
by: Mccall Hoyle Release date: Mar 02, 2021 Number of Pages: 176 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
An uplifting and poignant story about a former service beagle named Stella who must find the courage to overcome her fears and use her special nose to save a girl’s life. Ever since Stella was a puppy, she was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out chemicals used in explosives and warn her human handler in order to keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella is distracted and misses the scent of an explosive chemical. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Stella survives but her handler–her best friend in the whole world–is gone. Stella blames herself, certain she’s a bad dog. Scared of loud noises, especially thunder and fireworks, Stella struggles with her anxiety and must be retired from being a service animal. Several families try to foster her, but sometimes Stella is so scared she howls or digs or tears things up with her teeth. She wonders if anyone will want to adopt her. An expert dog trainer, Esperanza, thinks she can help. It’s Stella’s last chance to prove she can be a good dog. Stella has every reason to love her new family, especially the young human named Chloe who smells like chocolate chip cookies, newly cut grass, the pages of books, and something else–a strange chemical she can’t quite identify. Chloe has epilepsy, and a chemical inside her body surges just before she has a seizure. Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can she warn Esperanza without her thinking it’s just Stella’s usual anxiety? How can she convince her new family that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Chloe’s life? Told from Stella’s point of view, readers will experience life through a dog’s eyes, ears, and, especially, her nose. Like Babe the pig or Ivan the gorilla, Stella the beagle is an extraordinary story for kids who love animals. An endearing novel of courage, compassion, friendship, and love.
33. Red Rover
by: Christopher Krovatin Release date: Mar 02, 2021 Number of Pages: 240 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Sit, stay, die. Dogs aren’t always man’s best friend. When Amy sees a dog stranded on the side of the highway, she knows what she has to do. She tells her dad to stop the car. She can’t understand why anyone would abandon a dog in such a way, tied up and blindfolded. Amy’s parents say they’ll only keep the dog until they can find it a permanent home. Amy’s younger sister names the dog Rover.They take Rover into their house, their family. And once he’s there . . . he doesn’t want to leave.Amy loves dogs. But she starts to worry when strange things start happening in the house.Objects move. Lights go off. Accidents happen.Soon man’s best friend has turned into Amy’s worst nightmare.The problem isn’t Rover’s bark or his bite – it’s even creepier than that. This dog’s purpose is evil . . . and if’s waiting to be unleashed.
34. GoldenEars: The Pale Skulls
by: Jane H Wood Release date: Jan 26, 2021 Number of Pages: 200 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Filled with optimism, Edmund vows to find his beloved wolf, Golden Ears. Returning home on leave, our newly-fledged forest ranger begins his task of researching the myths and legends surrounding wolf lore in the hope it will answer some puzzling questions. During a visit to the library, Edmund is introduced to a Native American, named Joe. Intrigued by the boy’s interest in the newspaper archives, Joe agrees to assist him. He learns of Edmund’s friendship with a wolf; confirming his suspicions that the boy’s wolf is indeed special and that their destiny is bound together. He warns Edmund of the coming dangers, and a journey that he alone must undertake; enter a world beyond his imagination if he is to find his wolf. Evil stalks Canada’s western wilderness, hiding in the shadows, threatening the existence of every living creature, including the people who live there. When communications cease in that region, Chief Ranger Max tasks his rangers to investigate. A terrible truth is revealed, one Edmund can barely comprehend. The story takes a devastating twist, forcing Edmund to dig deep into his soul. He must overcome heartache, jealousy and rage and rise above the hurt if he is to save himself and the wolves and make a better life for them all.
35. Lily to the Rescue: Foxes in a Fix
by: W. Bruce Cameron Release date: Sep 28, 2021 Number of Pages: 128 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
New York Times bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose is back with another charming installment in the irresistible chapter book series Puppy Tales, featuring Lily, a rescue dog who rescues other animals! Lily to the Rescue: Foxes in a Fix by W. Bruce Cameron. Lily lives with her girl, Maggie Rose. Once a stray, Lily was rescued by the kind people at the animal shelter run by Maggie Rose’s mom. Now she has a very important purpose: to rescue other animals in trouble. When a litter of arctic foxes escape from the zoo and must be found before they get into a fix, it’s Lily to the rescue!
36. Hemingway’s Cats
by: Lindsey Hooper Release date: May 25, 2021 Number of Pages: 272 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
“ONE CAT JUST LEADS TO ANOTHER.” —Ernest Hemingway Inspired by the true story of the famous six-toed felines of the Ernest Hemingway House in Key West, Florida—and the hurricane that nearly blew them away—Hemingway’s Cats is a delightful novel full of romance, humor, and lots and lots and lots of cats . . . Laura Lange didn’t come to Key West to fall in love. As a recent college grad—with a useless degree in English—she came to work at the historic Hemingway home as a tour guide. Why not? She wrote her thesis on the iconic author. She has no other job offers. And she’s desperate. Now Laura is falling desperately in love—with the fifty-four frisky felines who freely roam the estate. These descendants of Hemingway’s original cat have not only stolen her heart—they’re changing her life in ways she never imagined . . . First there’s Nessie, the bushy-tailed “house mother” of the cats who seems to have adopted Laura, too. Then there’s grumpy old Pawpa Hemingway; the cat thieves Chew-Chew and Whiskey; the big-pawed Boxer and Bullfighter; and dozens of darling kittens. The locals are lovable, too. Laura’s having a great time with her boy-crazy bungalow roomies, the Crabb sisters, and especially the young, handsome cat keeper, Jake. But Laura’s summer of fun is about to take an unexpected turn—a Category 5 hurricane is about to make landfall directly on their doorstep . . . They can’t possibly evacuate fifty-four cats. So Laura, Nessie, and all of their friends decide to hunker down in the Hemingway House to weather this storm—together. “Sweet, funny, and charming. You’ll fall in love with these adorable kitties and colorful Key West characters.” —MELINDA METZ, bestselling author of Talk to the Paw
37. Pax, Journey Home
by: Sara Pennypacker Release date: Sep 07, 2021 Number of Pages: 256 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
From bestselling and award-winning author Sara Pennypacker comes the long-awaited sequel to Pax; this is a gorgeously crafted, utterly compelling novel about chosen families and the healing power of love. It’s been a year since Peter and his pet fox, Pax, have seen each other. Once inseparable, they now lead very different lives. Pax and his mate, Bristle, have welcomed a litter of kits they must protect in a dangerous world. Meanwhile Peter—newly orphaned after the war, racked with guilt and loneliness—leaves his adopted home with Vola to join the Water Warriors, a group of people determined to heal the land from the scars of the war. When one of Pax’s kits falls desperately ill, he turns to the one human he knows he can trust. And no matter how hard Peter tries to harden his broken heart, love keeps finding a way in. Now both boy and fox find themselves on journeys toward home, healing—and each other, once again. As he did for Pax, Jon Klassen, New York Times bestseller, Caldecott medalist, and two-time Caldecott Honoree, has created stunning jacket and interior illustrations.
38. Journey Beyond the Burrow
by: Rina Heisel Release date: Jul 13, 2021 Number of Pages: 288 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION! With the adventure of Avi’s Poppy series and the heart of A Wolf Called Wander, this charming and exciting middle grade adventure follows one mouse’s journey to save his baby brother from a sinister evil. There are rules every mouse must follow if they’re to survive in the forest. Tobin knows these guidelines by heart. After all, with one younger sibling, another on the way, and a best friend with a penchant for trouble-making, he needs to be prepared for anything. But one stormy night, Tobin’s safe burrow is invaded by monstrous arachnids, and his baby brother stolen away. To save him, Tobin will have to do something he’s never done before: break the rules. Drawing inspiration from the author’s work as a natural science documentarian, Journey Beyond the Burrow is as alive as the forest floor, where nature is unpredictable, occasionally frightening, and inspirational all the same. Includes a black-and-white illustrated front piece.
39. The Night Ride
by: J. Anderson Coats Release date: Oct 12, 2021 Number of Pages: 224 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Saving her coppers to buy a beloved horse that has been transferred to the royal stables of the king of Mael Dunn, new stablehand Sonnia must compete in a dangerous, highly illegal Night Ride to protect her horse.
40. Dog Squad
by: Chris Grabenstein Release date: Jan 01, 2021 Number of Pages: 336 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Includes excerpt from The Smartest Kid in the Universe.
41. When The Skies Cry
by: Steve N. Lee Release date: Oct 19, 2021 Number of Pages: 300 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Sometimes, the one you’re saving is really saving you. Harley loses everything when his master dies — his home, his best friend, his reason for living. Day after day, he trudges the streets, trembling from the biting cold, whimpering from the gnawing hunger. Across town, Rachel has an alimony hearing looming and a make-or-break deadline hurtling toward her, yet they aren’t her biggest worries — her autistic son has withdrawn so far into his own private world, he barely acknowledges she even exists. Luckily, the magic of life is in the surprises no one ever sees coming… Praise for As The Stars Fall: Books for Dog Lovers #1 by Steve N Lee: ★★★★★ “A great story with a beautiful, heart-warming ending.” Tom Kiker ★★★★★ “A heart-warming, touching, and poignant novel about the love between a dog and a young girl.” Paula ★★★★★ “… a story that is equal parts intense beauty and heart wrenching agony… I know I’ll still think of this story years down the road.” Insatiable Readers blog ★★★★★ “Thought provoking and well written. [I] loved it so much I’ve bought 2 paperbacks to give as Christmas presents! It’ll break your heart and rebuild it again.” C. Johnson ★★★★★ “It’s a rollercoaster of emotions and has made me think in a new way about my own dog and what and how he thinks and feels.” P. Flanders ★★★★★ “This is a heart-warming story that will keep you turning the pages. I was completely captivated to the very end.” Judith, Goodreads ★★★★★ “I truly loved this book. I must admit I had tears in my eyes the last few chapters. Tears of joy.” Richard Boyarski ★★★★★ “Such a beautiful story and one you will read time and time again!” Rachel ★★★★★ “A perfect book for dog lovers. It is a story of courage, determination and love.” Library Lady ★★★★★ “I almost laughed myself into an asthma attack during certain scenes and cried at the end of this book, all the while wondering if this is how my own dog perceives me.” Kathy Banfield, Goodreads ★★★★★ “[I] highly recommend it especially if you like books like Marley and Me, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and similar stories.” Storeybook Reviews book blog Choose Your Ending Don’t like sad endings? No problem! Love heart-rending tearjerkers? No problem! With just one click, you can choose the emotional roller coaster ending you go on – Happy or Sad? Heart-wrenching or Heartwarming? Tragic or Uplifting? You choose with one click! If you love dogs, and enjoy stories just as heartwarming as they are heartbreaking, you need to read When The Skies Cry. Get it now!
42. Interviews with an Ape
by: Felice Fallon Release date: Jul 22, 2021 Number of Pages: 400 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
43. Warriors Super Edition: Leopardstar’s Honor
by: Erin Hunter Release date: Sep 07, 2021 Number of Pages: 576 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
An epic stand-alone adventure in Erin Hunter’s #1 nationally bestselling Warriors series! Also includes an exclusive ten-page Warriors comic. In this Super Edition, devoted RiverClan warrior Leopardfur discovers just how far she will go to protect her Clan. Since her kithood, Leopardfur has known that she would one day save RiverClan from destruction. The ambitious ThunderClan deputy Tigerclaw believes he can help her fulfill her destiny, but as Leopardstar rises to follow in Crookedstar’s paw steps, she must decide what kind of leader she will be—one who maintains the peace among the Clans, or one who is willing to sacrifice anything for the good of her own. Join the legion of fans who have discovered the epic adventures, fierce warrior cats, and thrilling fantasy world of the mega-bestselling Warriors series. This stand-alone entry, set before and during the events of The Prophecies Begin, is perfect for new readers and dedicated fans alike.
44. Scaredy-Pug: A Branches Book (Diary of a Pug #5)
by: Kyla May Release date: Sep 07, 2021 Number of Pages: 80 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A fifth Branches early chapter book featuring everyone’s favorite pug, Bub, and his human, Bella! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Bub the pug, Duchess the cat, and their human, Bella, are visiting Bella’s grandma. It’s so much fun to build forts and play dress-up in her attic… until Bub and Duchess see a ghost up there! Now they have a duty to protect their girl. Can this scaredy-pug and scaredy-cat face their fears to keep Bella safe? With full-color artwork throughout, this funny and charming diary-format early chapter book is perfect for anyone who believes a furry pal is the best kind of friend.
45. Stolen Whinnies
by: Wendi Threlkeld Release date: May 01, 2021 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
46. Horses Forever
by: Lynn Mann Release date: Apr 29, 2021 Number of Pages: 318 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
Horses Forever is the sequel to The Horses Know Trilogy.
47. Delphine and the Silver Needle
by: Alyssa Moon Release date: Mar 02, 2021 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
To unravel any mystery, find the knot. When Delphine, a young orphaned dressmaker mouse living in the walls of Cinderella’s château, stumbles upon an enormous secret, it upends everything she thought she knew: The magical tailor mice of legend really existed. Racing to stay ahead of King Midnight, the fearsome leader of the rats who is bent on harnessing age-old magic, Delphine embarks on an epic quest to uncover the truth about the past. Joined by Alexander, the most pompous noblemouse in the royal court, she travels a perilous route, encountering strange enemies and unlikely allies along the way. Can Delphine uncover the truth and save the kingdom? Or will the evil King Midnight succeed in harnessing the power of the tailor mice? This action-packed novel is sure to be a hit with readers who like magic, adventure, and very tiny heroes with very big hearts.
48. Becoming K-9
by: Rada Jones Release date: Aug 12, 2021 Number of Pages: 182 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
“Until you, hoomans, learn to sniff each other’s butts, so you read each other’s thoughts, you’ll need us, dogs, to guide you, love you, and make you better people.” Corporal K-9 Guinness. If you thought being a K-9 is easy, think again. What’s the hardest, you ask? Sniffing bombs? No sir. That’s easy once you know what to look for. Apprehending perpetrators? Nope. That’s fun. The hardest part of being a K-9 is training people. Humans don’t know how to communicate. It’s not their fault that they have blunt teeth and no tail. As for their nose, they can’t tell goose guano from duck poop, let alone read each other’s thoughts. That’s why they need dogs to guide them, look after them, and set them right. Becoming K-9 is the story of how I grew from a feisty pup into a fierce K-9. How I looked after my humans, helped them focus on the half-full bowl of kibble, and taught them unconditional love. Because, whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, dog or human, there’s nothing more potent than love. Not even death. Love is the only thing we take with us when we die.
49. Scaredy Pug
by: Kyla May Release date: Sep 07, 2021 Number of Pages: 80 Find in Library Read Review Google Preview |
A fifth Branches early chapter book featuring everyone’s favorite pug, Bub, and his human, Bella!Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read
Last updated on October 17, 2021