Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers

Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers is a young adult novel by M.E. Kerr. My 9 year old son read it and really liked it. He asked me to read it, too. He knows how I love to share books with friends, so I was very touched that he wanted to share one with me.

Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers is a novel about the animals kept at an animal shelter named Critters, and their human companions. The animals are the main characters, with dialogue between them and access to their thoughts and dreams, since it is written from their perspective. The story was cute, and very sweet. It takes place at Christmas time, and the animals go on some interesting adventures with the Critters volunteers and potential new families. There is the ever present Dog Catcher that needs to be avoided. This element added a little suspense to the story line. The characters, both animal and human, are lovable and entertaining. The ending leaves the reader satisfied.

Throughout the book, the author exposes a young reader to new vocabulary and definitions, as well. Reading this as a parent, I appreciated that. The child reading this book learns something along the way. The language used is appropriate for any age and I would estimate the reading level to be around advanced second grade to third grade.

Language and reading level aside, it is a fun book for kids, which is important to foster a love of reading. Happy Reading!

Call of the Wild

My nine year old son asked me to read this. He finished it recently and said that he thought Daddy and I might enjoy it. He read the abridged and adapted version. I loved that he wanted to share a book with me. He sees me share my love of reading with my friends, and it meant so much to me that he wanted to share a good book with me. I promised him that as soon as I finished the book I was reading (Cane River) I would read it.

I sat down on Saturday afternoon, and read his book cover to cover in about an hour and a half. I am sure I read it at some point in my childhood, but I don't remember when, and I didn't remember the story. It was a great read. Very entertaining, action packed and sweet. The story covers the adventures of a dog named Buck as he is stolen and put to work in Alaska during the gold rush. There is a lot of violence and death in this book. I was a little surprised by that.

There were moments when I was fearful for Buck, and moments when I cried. Anytime an author can evoke an emotion, I think they have done their job. There is no question why this book is a classic. Definitely worth reading, and re-reading if it has been years since you have read it.

Happy Reading!