The Great Pet Heist

February 15, 2020
Five spunky pets go to extraordinary lengths to save themselves from abandonment. The pets: wiener dog Butterbean; Walt, nee Lucretia, a secretive black cat; Oscar, a dignified mynah; and Marco and Polo, an exuberant pair of rats. The hapless owner: an elderly woman affectionately dubbed Mrs. Food. The incident: a bad fall (entirely Butterbean's fault, though she hates to admit it) that lands Mrs. Food in the hospital and sends the pets scrambling to become "independently wealthy" lest they be removed from her apartment to the shelter. The accidental discovery of the wealthy Coin Man leads them to plot the "heist of the century" with the assistance of an octopus named Chad and vent-dwelling Wild Rat Wallace. Ecton tells the story from the pets' perspectives, which, while impressively executed, proves to be this madcap adventure's biggest shortcoming. The limited experience of the pets ensures that the human issues depicted--international crime, care of the elderly, deployed caregivers, deception of Child Protective Services--are treated more flippantly than their gravity merits. The scenes dealing with the kidnapping of a child are particularly dire; the character of the Coin Man feels almost too sinister for an otherwise lighthearted children's novel. Yet lighthearted it is: Bantering dialogue, the distinct personalities of the pets (expressively illustrated by Mottram), and the whimsical premise make for an exciting caper. Mrs. Food and the Coin Man present white; the pets' temporary caregiver has Korean heritage. Hilarious but haphazard. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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March 15, 2020
Grades 3-6 When elderly Mrs. Food takes a spill and winds up in the hospital, her five pets spiral into a panicked frenzy. A temporary guardian is assigned to them, but the anxious animals?an aloof cat, a hyper dachshund, a chatty mynah bird, and two bonded rats?decide that the only solution is to amass their own wealth to control their destiny. Their initial pile of riches is a bit grim (including compression socks, a sparkly button, and a two-week-old piece of toast), but the pup reveals that she picked up a rare coin from another resident, and thus Coin Man becomes the target of a hastily planned heist. Ecton writes entirely from the animals' point of view, aided by the occasional, humorous black-and-white sketch. It's amusing just to watch the merry band of misfit pets navigate the wide world of the eclectic high-rise apartment, but there's enough true suspense to keep the larger story moving. This classic caper may have young readers looking sideways at their own pets when the story is through.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

May 1, 2020

Gr 3-6-This cute tale about five household pets in a New York City apartment revolves around their plan to pull off a heist and become "independently wealthy" after their owner is taken away for a medical emergency. Teaming up with ventilation system rats, a lonely girl, and a crafty octopus, they set their sights on a frightening neighbor and his stash of unusual coins. Ecton creates a strong personality for each animal, from the hyper dog Butterbean to the know-it-all bird Oscar, and pet lovers will be sure to enjoy the banter between them. Some plot elements involving the humans are a little less fleshed out and stretch plausibility, leading the book's resolution to feel rushed; but this will be easily overlooked by those who enjoy the pets' adventures. Adorable illustrations from Mottram help readers visualize the characters and add an appealing visual element. VERDICT A story sure to charm children who like to imagine what their beloved pets are up to when they are away. Purchase for fiction collections that serve patrons who enjoy animal-centric stories.-Katie McBride Moench, New Glarus Middle and High School Library, WI

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