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Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines
Charlotte Bennardo, author
Children/Young Adult; General Fiction (including literary and historical); (Market)
In a quiet wood, a common gray squirrel will declare war on the construction machines that have come to cut down his tree. Named Jack by the boy who befriends him, he learns how to use simple machines, like the wheel. He must convince the other woodland animals to join the fight. But as they take on the humans and machines, people notice Jack and his friends are smarter than ordinary animals. Now they are in more danger because the scientists want to capture them.
Reviews
When construction machines threaten his woodland home, an inquisitive squirrel named Jack rallies his fellow animals to defend their land. Having learned about the concept of wheels from an ailing human boy named Collin (who also gave Jack his name), the squirrel concocts a plan to trap the vehicles by blocking their wheels with logs and boulders, as well as gnawing through wires; when this fails, the animals adopt more aggressive tactics. The writing can be overloaded with adverbs and adjectives (“ ‘Enough!!!’ screeched Owl piercingly, flapping her strong wings”), but readers will enjoy the banter among the animals, as well as the way Jack develops into a leader as he wrangles uncooperative animals into going along with his plan. Daniels’s elegant b&w spot illustrations appear throughout, adding to the story’s appeal. A sequel, Simple Plans, is also available. Ages 7–10. (BookLife)
Darlene Beck-Jacobson, author, Wheels of Change, Notable Book 2015 National Coun
"The Hundred Acre Wood meets Watership Down in this outdoor romp destined to be a classic. You'll cheer for Jack and his woodland companions."
