Innocent animals are in trouble: temperatures are climbing, tides are rising, and nature is suffering. Someone needs to step in to rescue animals from extinction. Someone needs to turn this mess around, before it’s too late.
And that someone is . . . the Endangereds, the unlikeliest heroes you’ll ever meet—a superstrong polar bear, a pangolin with a genius for engineering, an extremely sarcastic narwhal, and an orangutan with a big dream.
Together, these four daredevils are determined to save endangered species across the globe, no matter what the risk. Rappelling into an underground cavern to save the day?
No problem. Looping video footage to sneak through buildings unnoticed? Got it covered. Opening a doorknob? Okay, pretty hard without thumbs. But don’t worry. No matter what it takes, the Endangereds will get the job done.
But when two of their friends get kidnapped by a villain with a dastardly agenda, the team finds themselves up to their snouts in trouble. Can the Endangereds save the day? Or will this villain put humans and animals alike on the extinction list? (From Harper Collins)
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MY THOUGHTS
This fun story with a group of talkative animals is a great way to put forth many of the issues facing us now and in the future. Species are heading toward extinction and sentencing the remaining animals to shelters and zoos isn’t working. The Endangereds believe we humans really messed this up.
Although environmental issues are the core, they never overwhelm the story. Told from the animal’s viewpoints, you will grow to have a favorite. Mine was Arief, the smart and hopeful Orangutan. The adventure is fast paced with doses of humor throughout the 41 chapters. Several full page illustrations are also included and balance well with the text.
The plot wraps up nicely by the end, but an epilogue hints at what is to come next. Middle graders who enjoy animal stories and those with a passion for saving our precious resources will be a perfect fit for THE ENDANGEREDS.
MEET THE AUTHORS
Inspired by the legacy of his grandfather Jacques Cousteau, Philippe Cousteau is a multi-Emmy-nominated TV host, author, speaker, and social entrepreneur. He has hosted numerous TV programs for Discovery, BBC, CNN, Travel Channel and more. Currently he is the host of the syndicated television show Xploration Awesome Planet and producer/narrator of a new Virtual Reality experience Drop in the Ocean. Philippe is the author of several award-winning books and is a sought-after speaker having keynoted events for the United Nations, Harvard University, and more. In 2004 he founded EarthEcho International; the leading environmental education organization dedicated to inspiring youth to take action for a sustainable planet. Philippe and his wife, fellow explorer and TV host Ashlan Gorse-Cousteau, reside in Los Angeles.
Austin Aslan is the author of the TURBO Racers series and the Islands at the End of the World series. A National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, he can often be found camping in a tent on a punctured air mattress. In other lives, Austin drove ambulances way too fast, served as an ecotourism Peace Corps volunteer in a Honduran cloud forest, and managed a variety of campaigns. He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona.
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I received an ARC for my honest review.
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Very clever idea for a novel — endangered superheroes coming to the rescue of their planet. Kids will really enjoy this approach and want to learn more and perhaps get involved in their own way. Wish my 6-year-old grandson was old enough for this book.
A sarcastic narwhal? Love it.This sounds like a really fun way for kids to learn about the environmental issues we’re facing. Thanks for telling me about it.
Always in the Middle... 
Very clever idea for a novel — endangered superheroes coming to the rescue of their planet. Kids will really enjoy this approach and want to learn more and perhaps get involved in their own way. Wish my 6-year-old grandson was old enough for this book.
A sarcastic narwhal? Love it.This sounds like a really fun way for kids to learn about the environmental issues we’re facing. Thanks for telling me about it.