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A review by katykelly
Evie and the Animals by Matt Haig
5.0
Dr Doolittle idea with contemporary conservation issues
Haig's standalone chapter book is exciting and enticing - who wouldn't like to talk to animals?!
Evie can understand other species. Neighbourhood dogs, the school rabbit who only wants to be set free. Almost discovered, her dad makes her promise not to use her ability again. But animals begging for help that she's ignored are now turning up on 'missing' posters...
There are a lot of missing animals. And there may be more to her ability than she knows. Will she use her power to try and help?
This is a fairly short but stimulating story, full of features that readers will love - talking animals, exciting episodes (big cats at the zoo!), a bad guy, mystery. Evie and her power are key to the whole thing, and she's a realistic young protagonist, never scornful about her ability, caring of animals and people around her, brave.
It's quite a good little mystery for children, and pitched at a reader who can read by themself and needs some stimulating, more grown-up feeling short-ish novels.
I enjoyed the book but didn't like the narrator on the Audible version I'm afraid. And my husband who listened partway through said this too, without me commenting first. Can't really put my finger on why, but she didn't feel right voicing Evie and the animals. My son wasn't at all bothered, he listened quite avidly and followed the story easily.
For ages 7-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Haig's standalone chapter book is exciting and enticing - who wouldn't like to talk to animals?!
Evie can understand other species. Neighbourhood dogs, the school rabbit who only wants to be set free. Almost discovered, her dad makes her promise not to use her ability again. But animals begging for help that she's ignored are now turning up on 'missing' posters...
There are a lot of missing animals. And there may be more to her ability than she knows. Will she use her power to try and help?
This is a fairly short but stimulating story, full of features that readers will love - talking animals, exciting episodes (big cats at the zoo!), a bad guy, mystery. Evie and her power are key to the whole thing, and she's a realistic young protagonist, never scornful about her ability, caring of animals and people around her, brave.
It's quite a good little mystery for children, and pitched at a reader who can read by themself and needs some stimulating, more grown-up feeling short-ish novels.
I enjoyed the book but didn't like the narrator on the Audible version I'm afraid. And my husband who listened partway through said this too, without me commenting first. Can't really put my finger on why, but she didn't feel right voicing Evie and the animals. My son wasn't at all bothered, he listened quite avidly and followed the story easily.
For ages 7-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.