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unchainedreader's review against another edition
2.0
There were a lot of things about this that bothered me. The first was the age of the main character, Henry. There were moments where it felt like he was closer to twelve, but there were also moments where it seemed as if he was five, especially when the teacher asked them to draw pictures as classwork. Henry used language that was more likely to come from a twelve year old or older, definitely language that I wouldn't want my students or children reading until they were in at least high school - even then it wouldn't be considered quality literature. I also want to know what kind of school allows children to play with shovels on the playground and what kind of teacher is just letting kids play in snow tunnels? Clearly someone needs to be fired for not paying attention. I was also confused because Henry's new best friend is a bear...just because this kid has never seen a bear in his life doesn't make it extinct.
Yes, this is a work of fiction, a universe where creativity is encouraged, but there is also a need for logic when the setting is quite clearly the world we live in with animals that clearly aren't extinct.
Two stars is generous.
Yes, this is a work of fiction, a universe where creativity is encouraged, but there is also a need for logic when the setting is quite clearly the world we live in with animals that clearly aren't extinct.
Two stars is generous.
annieb123's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
My Best Friend Is Extinct is an illustrated chapter book aimed at middle grade readers by Rebecca Wood Barrett and illustrated by Cornelia Li. Due out 16th March 2021 from Orca, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a whimsical adventure for middle grade readers with lots of action, animals, an exciting imaginative plot, and beautiful illustrations. Ten year old protagonist Henry befriends a short nose bear (extinct) and tries to help Yarp (the bear) and his family escape being eaten by the fangers (saber-tooth cats). There's lots of action and fantasy realism liberally sprinkled with epic snowball battles.
The book isn't perfect - there were several plot developments that saw me raising an eyebrow... but it's not written for adults, even well meaning ones. It seems to me that it would play very well to the 8-12 year old audience. I would recommend it for public or school library acquisition, gifting, or for a group read or classroom story time (when we can gather again).
Fun and full of action. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
My Best Friend Is Extinct is an illustrated chapter book aimed at middle grade readers by Rebecca Wood Barrett and illustrated by Cornelia Li. Due out 16th March 2021 from Orca, it's 240 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a whimsical adventure for middle grade readers with lots of action, animals, an exciting imaginative plot, and beautiful illustrations. Ten year old protagonist Henry befriends a short nose bear (extinct) and tries to help Yarp (the bear) and his family escape being eaten by the fangers (saber-tooth cats). There's lots of action and fantasy realism liberally sprinkled with epic snowball battles.
The book isn't perfect - there were several plot developments that saw me raising an eyebrow... but it's not written for adults, even well meaning ones. It seems to me that it would play very well to the 8-12 year old audience. I would recommend it for public or school library acquisition, gifting, or for a group read or classroom story time (when we can gather again).
Fun and full of action. Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
sdertinger's review against another edition
4.0
This is a record-breaking wintery snowfall for the new town Henry and his mom recently moved to. During recess at school the kids love nothing more than playing in the snow. Even though they aren't allowed to throw snowballs, that doesn't stop them from digging and building tunnels for an epic snow war. When in class Henry can dream nothing more than playing in the snow, especially after he swears he saw something big and white moving in the snow the other day. Soon Henry stumbles upon this big white creature and finds out that it must be prehistoric? He names the creature Yarp and takes care of him as he has an injury. Henry learns that Yarp is not the only prehistoric creature out in the snowy tundra... There's more, and they want exactly what they came for.
I definitely think it was confusing on how old the boy was throughout the book, even though it says he's 10-years-old. Some parts of the book just were too much of a far stretch for me to understand (recess duty, him being outside all day during school, etc), but I did enjoy the wintery setting! Yarp was so cute, and I loved all of the illustrations too! They were gorgeous.
I definitely think it was confusing on how old the boy was throughout the book, even though it says he's 10-years-old. Some parts of the book just were too much of a far stretch for me to understand (recess duty, him being outside all day during school, etc), but I did enjoy the wintery setting! Yarp was so cute, and I loved all of the illustrations too! They were gorgeous.
kindredbooks's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
I received a e-galley of this book from Orca Book Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
My Best Friend is Extinct is a middle grade novel about a young boy, Henry, who is adjusting to being in a new school in a new town. While he is navigating the hurdles of friendship and school, he stumbles upon a creature that he’s never seen before, which he then affectionately dubs Yarp. No one around him seems to believe in Yarp’s existence and only further alienates him from his friends and the students at school. In this story of adventure, friendship, and family, Henry and Yarp’s friendship is one told with the magic of the winter season.
I enjoyed the character building in this novel though there were times that I felt that Henry was very immature and not exactly the loveable character that you’d want to root for. But throughout the story, as he develops as a character, there is a certain vulnerability and strength to who he is that draws you further into the story. I think that the real charmer of this story would have to be Yarp and readers are sure to want to follow his story and perhaps even find themselves looking out into the snowy outdoors for a glimpse of this winter creature.
Thank you to Orca Book Publishers for the e-galley.
My Best Friend is Extinct is a middle grade novel about a young boy, Henry, who is adjusting to being in a new school in a new town. While he is navigating the hurdles of friendship and school, he stumbles upon a creature that he’s never seen before, which he then affectionately dubs Yarp. No one around him seems to believe in Yarp’s existence and only further alienates him from his friends and the students at school. In this story of adventure, friendship, and family, Henry and Yarp’s friendship is one told with the magic of the winter season.
I enjoyed the character building in this novel though there were times that I felt that Henry was very immature and not exactly the loveable character that you’d want to root for. But throughout the story, as he develops as a character, there is a certain vulnerability and strength to who he is that draws you further into the story. I think that the real charmer of this story would have to be Yarp and readers are sure to want to follow his story and perhaps even find themselves looking out into the snowy outdoors for a glimpse of this winter creature.
Thank you to Orca Book Publishers for the e-galley.
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