The Extincts

by Veronica Cossanteli, Roman Muradov (Illustrator)

Overview

George is looking for a job in order to raise money for a new bike, so when he sees a help wanted ad for Wormestall Farm, he goes for it. Before long, he's embroiled in a madcap adventure involving creatures both (supposedly) extinct and (previously thought to be) mythological, a new friend (a girl!), and a maniacal taxidermist who wants the animals of Wormestall Farm in her own private collection . . . stuffed, of course.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781627794039
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	02/09/2016
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Veronica Cossanteli is an elementary school teacher who lives with three cats, two snakes, one guinea pig, and a large assortment of lizards. The Extincts is her first novel.

Roman Muradov is an illustrator and cartoonist from Moscow, Russia, currently living in San Francisco. His clients include the New Yorker, the New York Times, NPR, Google, and many others. His work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators (Gold Medal), American Illustration, and numerous other shows.

Editorial Reviews

A breezy adventure with just the right amount of oddball charm.” –Booklist

"A fantastical adventure of mystery and imagination." –School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2015-11-11
Animals—mythical and extinct—abound in George Drake's hometown, Squermington. In Cossanteli's debut novel, 11-year-old George lives with his frazzled mum and two older sisters. Between his dad's leaving, large electric bills, and their family's unsuccessful shop, times are tough. So, in an effort to replace his recently stolen bike, George starts a quest for a job that ends when he comes across a sign that reads, "Help Wanted / Interest In Wildlife Necessary / Must Be The Right Person." The quirky Mrs. Lind, the owner of Wormestall Farm, and Lo, a tall, blue-eyed boy, orient George in his responsibilities. These include tending to an overprotective dodo, feeding 8-foot carnivorous ducks, milking aurochs, and staying alive. Redheaded Prudence, the new girl at school, also finds her way to the farm, which offers an escape from her villainous, taxidermist stepmother, Diamond Pye. When basilisk Mortifier wanders from the farm, leading to the disappearance of both neighborhood pets and chicken vindaloo from Indian restaurants, it's up to George and Prudence to bring Mortifier back before Diamond can add the large serpent to her collection. Uneven pacing and clunky plot development mar this otherwise appealing and imaginative story, though Muradov's stylized vignettes successfully add elements of magic, emotion, and movement to George's narration. A mostly enjoyable British import that should be better than it is. (glossary) (Fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews