  | Great pet heist (Great Pet Heist) Author: Ecton, Emily | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
When their elderly owner goes to the hospital, Butterbean the dachshund, Walt the cat, Oscar the mynah bird, and rats Marco and Polo plan a robbery to support themselves.
| Illustrator: | Mottram, Dave |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 3.80 Points: 6.0 Quiz: 510531 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/15/20)
School Library Journal (05/01/20)
Booklist (03/15/20)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 03/15/2020 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. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
Booklist - 03/15/2020 - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 05/01/2020 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 - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
