Back of Book: 

Ace is no ordinary pig. He understands human language completely, and he's determined to avoid the awful fate that befell his brothers and sisters - the Market. Phase 1 of his plan is to make friends with the farmer's house pets, easygoing Clarence the cat and the snobby corgi Megan (whom Ace nicknames "her royal lowness"). Phase 2 is to work his way into the farmer's heart and home - and even into the farmer's favorite armchair! Of course Ace succeeds, because he is truly an exceptional animal. But it's not until the farmer takes him on a trip into town that Ace finds fame beyond his wildest dreams...

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

This is the story of a little girl named Fern who loved a little pig named Wilbur—and of Wilbur's dear friend Charlotte A. Cavatica, a beautiful large grey spider who lived with Wilbur in the barn. With the help of Templeton, the rat who never did anything for anybody unless there was something in it for him, and by a wonderfully clever plan of her own, Charlotte saved the life of Wilbur, who by this time had grown up to be quite a pig.

How this all comes about is Mr. White's story. It is the story of the magic of childhood on the farm. The thousands of children who loved Stuart Little, the heroic little city mouse, will be entranced by Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig, and Fern, the little girl who understood their language.

The forty-seven black-and-white drawings by Garth Williams have all the detail and warmhearted appeal that children love in his drawings. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

When Babe arrives at Hogget Farm, Mrs. Hogget’s thoughts turn to sizzling bacon and juicy pork chops—until he reveals a surprising talent for sheepherding, that is. Before long, Babe is handling Farmer Hogget’s flock better than any sheepdog ever could. Babe is so good, in fact, that the farmer enters him into the Grand Challenge Sheepdog Trials. Will it take a miracle for Babe to win? 

Book Number: Stand Alone

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

Back of Book: 

Antwan is a coyote, living in the Hollywood Hills, who loves life on the wild side—running free in the woods with the wind in his fur, hanging with his gang the Diablos, grooming the pack for ticks and fleas and chasing anything that moves and might be edible. There's just one thing a wild dog's got to do—and that's keep away from humans. But then he meets Buddy. Buddy is a retired movie star (canine), who since he retired has lost his sparkle. He also happens to share a house with a very tasty poodle called Miss Betty. Antwan thinks it would be good for Buddy to try life on the wild side—so they decide to swap. But first, Antwan has to try life in the clean, shampooed, tinned-food and 'walkies' world of pampered domestic pooches which doesn't come naturally to a wild dog like him. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Being a duck isn’t all it’s quacked up to be.

But don’t try telling that to Frank—he’s a chicken with a dream. All he thinks about are webbed feet, waterproof feathers, and the cool water of the pond. So when Frank takes a dip and nearly drowns, his mood turns foul. Luckily, he gets a little human help—in the form of a man-made wet suit and a pair of flippers—and soon he’s the speediest bird in the water. And while Frank knows he’s ruffled a few feathers, he doesn’t care—there’s just too much for him to crow about.

Until a certain young chick catches his eye, that is... 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Homeward Bound meets Finding Nemo in this heartfelt story about a brave sea otter and a rambunctious puppy who team up to find their way home.

Oliver is a sea otter determined to prove that he’s not a momma otter’s boy. In an effort to show his bravery, he swims into Puget Sound where all the ships and humans are. That’s when disaster strikes: An oil spill threatens the local wildlife -- and it traps Oliver in the harbor!

Franklin, an excitable dachshund puppy, is also lost. He's been separated from his owner, Lucy, and he has no idea how to get back to her. Now Oliver and Franklin must journey through the Pacific Northwest wilderness in search of their families.

Along the way, they’ll discover exciting adventures and meet new friends—but will they be able to find their way home? 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 

A cute animal adventure featuring a young dachshund and a baby sea otter. 

Oliver is a sea otter that wants to prove that he is just as brave as his friends. Despite his mother's warnings, Oliver is convinced that he is ready for an adventure on land. When an oil tanker leaks in the Pugent Sound, Oliver is caught up in the mess and separated from his mother. Once on land, he meets a young dachshund by the name of Franklin. The two embark on an unforgettable journey in the hopes of reuniting with their loved ones again. 

This was such a cute middle grade book! I wasn't expecting much from it, but it ended up being a really sweet read about a young otter trying to return to his mother and a pup trying to find his owner. "Homeward Bound" meets "Finding Nemo" is truly a great way to describe this book.

This book does a great job of talking about ocean conservation for a young audience. It stresses how important it is to take care of our oceans and just how hurtful human interactions such as oil spills can be to the ocean's natural ecosystem and wildlife. 

I was also surprised that I learned something about sea otters in this one. Once upon a time I may have known about the arm pockets that sea otters have in which they store their special rocks, but I didn't remember this fact. It is so cool that sea otters will choose a rock to break open shells with as a young otter and keep it with them their entire lives. Us humans tend to lose things all the time, so I found it inspiring that these otters can hold on to one thing for their entire lifespan. 

The bond between Oliver and Franklin is an unlikely one that wouldn't probably form in the real world, but weirder things have happened. It was fun to see the two learn about each other, and I feel Schusterman did such a stellar job getting into the headspace of these two animals. Franklin's PoV truly screams young dog with few thoughts in head and Oliver's reads like a juvenile sea critter that is truly in love with the sea but wants more from life. 

Overall, "My Otter Half" was a quick middle grade read that explores ocean conservation in a quirky story that follows a sea otter and a dachshund. This book truly outdid my expectations. I don't think this is one I'll hold onto, but it's definitely a sweet story that young children can also learn a lesson from. 

Back of Book: 

From the beloved author of Babe: The Gallant Pig. Flora is not like other mice. She can read! Flora, who lives with her family in a country schoolhouse, learns to read along with the kindergartners. When an exterminator leaves poison around the school, Flora's literacy saves her family's lives. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review:  🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

Newbery Medal-winning author Beverly Cleary charms readers with yet another lovable character—Socks, a jealous cat who must learn to share his owners with their new baby.

Socks is one happy cat. He lives the good life with his affectionate owners, Mr. and Mrs. Bricker. Ever since the day they saved him from a life spent in a mailbox drop slot, Socks has been the center of their world. And he always has everything he needs—tasty kitty treats and all the lap room he could want!

But when a new baby arrives, suddenly the Brickers have less and less time for Socks. Little Charles William is the one getting all the attention. Socks feels left out—and to show it, he starts getting into all sorts of trouble! What will it take to make Socks realize just how much the Brickers care about him?

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Back of Book: 

This Newbery-Honor winning tale introduces Whittington, a roughneck Tom who arrives one day at a barn full of rescued animals and asks for a place there. He spins for the animals—as well as for Ben and Abby, the kids whose grandfather does the rescuing—a yarn about his ancestor, the nameless cat who brought Dick Whittington to the heights of wealth and power in 16th-century England. This is an unforgettable tale about the healing, transcendent power of storytelling, and how learning to read saves one little boy. 

Book Number: Stand Alone 

Genre: Middle Grade | Anthropomorphic  

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟