Fight for Life (Vet Volunteers Series #1) by Laurie Halse Anderson, Mark Salisbury (Photographer), Jamie Young (Photographer)

From the Publisher

Maggie's grandmother runs an animal clinic, Dr. Mac's place, so Maggie knows her way around animals who are in danger. when she learns that the abused and sick puppies flooding the clinic are from an illegal puppy mill, she knows that she has to find out who's running it, where it is—and save the rest of the dogs.

Children's Literature

Maggie is a lot better at scrubbing the skunk smell out of dog fur than she is at doing homework. That's why Gran is worried about Maggie's grades. Maggie, however, is more upset about the sick puppies that keep appearing at her grandmother's veterinary clinic. To make matters worse, Gran employs new volunteers to take Maggie's place at the clinic in order to give her more study time. An engaging heroine, lots of dialogue, and a plot to save abused puppies make this a fast-paced story that kids will like. It also introduces five winning, but very different, young characters who must learn to work together for the good of the animals. Maggie is the protagonist of this story, but readers can look forward to the other volunteers starring in subsequent books that are set in the animal clinic, and which are part of the American Girl series, "Wild at Heart." (Gran teaches Maggie that all animals are wild at heart, then Maggie teaches Gran that kids are too)!

Children's Literature

This new "American Girl" series has as its setting the Wild at Heart Animal Clinic, run by eleven-year-old Maggie's grandmother, Dr. J. J. MacKenzie. While Maggie is a whiz at the clinic, feeding and tending the animals, she struggles in school. When Gran calls in Brenna to volunteer so that Maggie can concentrate on homework, and adds volunteers Sunita and David when sick and abused puppies appear at the clinic, it is almost more than Maggie can stand. Zoe, Maggie's cousin from New York City, comes to stay for a while, and Maggie must share the clinic with all these new people. Soon, however, Maggie enlists their help to find the owner of a suspected puppy mill. Arrest of the owner follows, and Maggie's adventures earn credit for a class project. Plenty of realistic detail about caring for animals will satisfy would-be vets while the mystery and action will provide a light, satisfying read. Struggling students may emulate Maggie who finally accepts help from a tutor to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian. The vet volunteers, each with distinct and interesting personalities, will soon be featured in their own books in the series. Book One of the "Wild at Heart American Girl" series. 2000, Pleasant Company Publications/Wild at Heart, Ages 7 to 11, $4.95. Reviewer: Martha Shaw—Children's Literature

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-Maggie lives with Gran and has grown up helping in her veterinary practice at the Wild at Heart Animal Clinic. Now she is resentful that her grandmother expects her to help train some new young volunteers so that Maggie can concentrate on raising her grades. When several sick and malnourished young dogs are brought to the clinic, Maggie and the volunteers-in-training realize that there is a puppy mill nearby. They band together to gather information and develop strategies to track down the culprit and shut down the business, becoming friends in the process. Some pet-care facts from Gran's newspaper column are included after the story. Pet lovers will identify with the young characters as well as with their strong need to solve a real problem. Readers who enjoyed Betsy Duffey's "Pet Patrol" series (Viking) will be intrigued by the adventures of these youngsters.-Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

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