Great middle-grade book and also good for advanced elementary readers. My son and I read it as a buddy read. He's really into nature and animals, so this was right up his alley. A would recommend this book for all ages for different reasons. My son was more into the poaching/eco parts of the story and I got to enjoy a light mystery.

Madi grew up learning to take care of animals in crisis with the help of her grandmother's expertise. Now that she's gone, it's up to her take up the mantle. Her mom doesn't take too kindly to all the animals running around her home so she's told to stop rescuing wild animals. But Madi can't, "If you see something, do something." When she and her friends Aaron and Jack discover some beaver kits whose parent's have been killed they rescue them. It was relatively easy compared to the adventure that awaits them.

Rescue at Lake Wild offers mystery, adventure, and teaching moments about wild animals. I particularly enjoyed how courageous Madi was and how she stuck to her morals in helping animals in need. I really enjoyed learning about beavers and Madi's observations on them. Her friends were always there with her to help her with saving the beavers and the animal investigation. We have the wary one in Aaron while Jack is bold. Jack in particular wants to be a game warden which is basically police for nature. He has a dog named Lid who consumes everything on sight. He's taught him to track which comes in handy since the group of friends investigate the deaths of the beaver kits parents. That is one thing that I would be wary of when recommending this to a younger audience since it does talk about animals getting shot and killed.

There are some parts of the story that talk about the family dynamics within Madi's home. Her parents work a lot so most of the time she is being babysat by her older sister who thinks she's a pest. I thought it was a great addition into the story for the author to address the parent's absence and the relationship of the two sisters. I enjoyed the fast pace of this middle grade adventure story. I thought there were some moments where it transitioned to another section of the story a little too fast and I would have liked to get a little more detail at the end. Otherwise I thought Rescue at Lake Wild was a lot of fun and I could easily see myself giving this as a gift to my cousin who wants to be a veterinarian. An adventurous, mysterious, fast-paced story that will make you intrigued by beavers, Rescue at Lake Wild was a wonderful middle grade novel.

I was originally drawn to the cover of this book, and I loved the premise. Rescue at Lake Wild tells the tale of three middle grade friends who find and rescue a trio of beaver kits while solving a mystery about who killed the beaver parents. There are lots of adventures and mishaps that follow the trio through the next few weeks.

Personally, I felt like the kids had WAY too much freedom, and I would have preferred that they had an adult they could go to for help instead of constantly lying and hiding the beavers. Even at the end, when Madi was grounded, she snuck out again (without resolution or consequence).

Ultimately, the book had lots of really interesting animal facts that I think kids will enjoy!

Excellent book for kids who are animal lovers. Madi is a rescuer of all things animals, and her parents are kind of fed up with all the creatures she saves. Along with her best friends Jack and Aaron, Madi rescues some orphan beaver kits after their mother is killed. This sends them on the mission to help save the beaver habitats. Super kind and cute book, and highly recommended for kids who love the environment too.

We need more books like this one–more books revolving around environmental issues for middle grade and kid lit. This was a such a quick and fun read. Madi and her two best friends learn that someone is killing the beavers in town. They luckily rescue two pups, but who knows how many others are out there orphaned? Readers will love this protagonist and the messages this story shares–animals are precious, important, and don’t need to be killed!

Rescue at Lake Wild by Terry Lynn Johnson is a wonderful book to read this month, with Earth Day coming up.

Madi is a twelve-year-old girl who is not allowed to bring animal rescues home. Madi is inspired by her grandmother who was an animal rescuer. When Madi’s friends rescue beaver kits, she has no other option but to bring them home and keep it as a secret from her mother.

Somebody in the colony that Madi lives in is killing the parent beavers and orphaning the kits. The beavers were flooding the roads by building dams in appropriate places and someone thinks the solution is to kill the adult beavers.

Will Madi be able to find a peaceful solution to the beaver problem? Will she be able to take care of the beaver kits? Will her friends find the beaver killer.

This book engaged me from the start. I loved learning more about beavers and shared Madi’s passion for the awesomeness of beavers. I also liked the friends' group of Madi and their puns.

Thank you to @netgalley and @hmhkids for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Category: Middle grade
Age: 9+
Publication date: Apr 2021

Brief Review:

Twelve-year-old Madi and her friends Jack and Aaron stumble across both a mystery and a rescue mission when they discover two dead adult beavers and two orphaned beaver kits. Madi considers herself an “animal whisperer” and a future wildlife rehabilitator, so she takes charge of caring for the kits even though her mother has banned her from bringing rescue animals home. Madi’s sister Marley finds out about the beavers quickly, but the girls’ mother is out of town and Marley agrees to keep the secret in exchange for Madi’s complicity in the party she’s planning. Meanwhile, Jack is determined to find out what happened to the parent beavers. He and his dog Lid manage to uncover several clues, but the kids also learn that beaver dams have been causing flooding in town, and most of the local people would be happy to see the beavers dead. Madi has an idea for solving that problem, but just when her plan seems to be going well, the kits disappear during Marley’s party and Mom returns at the worst possible time. This book will appeal strongly to animal lovers and it contains a lot of interesting information about beavers. However, it lacks believability and relevance to contemporary middle-grade readers, mainly due to the amount of independence that the young protagonists are allowed to have, and the plot is a little too simple to make the story memorable or distinctive. 

Long Review:

Twelve-year-old Madi is an “animal whisperer” and aspiring wildlife rehabilitator, but she isn’t supposed to bring home stray or orphaned animals anymore. Her mom has made that quite clear. In fact, her long-anticipated trip to meet Jane Goodall is at stake. But when Madi, along with her friends Jack and Aaron, hear sounds coming from a beaver lodge shortly after finding two dead adult beavers, Madi knows that the beaver kits need her help. 

Madi swims into the beaver lodge and finds two kits. She and her friends name them Phragmites (Phrag for short) and Cooler. Madi hides the beaver kits in her clubhouse and takes charge of their care and feeding. Since her late grandmother had been a wildlife rehabilitator, Madi already knows a lot about caring for different types of animals, and she even happens to have beaver formula on hand. She uses her grandmother’s logbook both to learn more about caring for beavers and to record her own experiences with the kits. Luckily for Madi, her mother is currently out of town. Madi’s sister Marley discovers the beaver kits, but she’s willing to keep Madi’s secret in return for Madi’s complicity in the party she plans to throw. 

Meanwhile, Jack wants to find out what happened to the parent beavers. He and his dog Lid lead Aaron and Madi in an investigation and the kids quickly learn that a lot of the local people hate beavers. Their dams are causing flooding, and a group of town residents are considering putting a bounty on beavers to incentivize people to kill them. Now the kids need to find a way to change the townspeople’s minds about beavers in addition to caring for the two they’ve rescued and finding out who exactly killed the parents.

Madi and her friends discover that they can control where the beavers build dams by manipulating the sounds of running water. With the beaver kits, that means playing water sounds on an iPod; in the wild, it involves moving poles to create extra turbulence. The experiment is successful, but everything goes wrong on the night of Marley’s party. The beaver kits go missing and Madi’s mom gets home early, thereby discovering both Marley’s party and Madi’s disobedience in sheltering orphaned wildlife. Madi’s trip to see Jane Goodall is cancelled. But as far as Madi is concerned, the bigger issue is figuring out how to save the beavers.

This animal rescue story is nostalgically reminiscent of similar ‘90s stories, most notably the Animal Ark series. (written by several different authors and published between 1994 and 2008 under the pen name Lucy Daniels in the UK and Ben M. Baglio in the United States) For adult readers, there’s another layer of nostalgia in that there’s little mention of current technology like cell phones and the internet. The kids spend most of their time outdoors and are free to go wherever they want unsupervised. For the target audience of contemporary middle-grade readers, though, that nostalgia and sense of independence may constitute a lack of believability and detract from the appeal of this story.

However, for animal lovers, this book contains enough interesting information to offset those drawbacks. I was admittedly skeptical of some of the depictions of beaver behavior, but after doing a little light research, I found that this book is actually very accurate and that Madi’s experiments with the water noises are based on real events and experiments. In a few passages, the book also emphasizes the importance of leaving wildlife alone in most situations, which is obviously an important point to make to young readers who may otherwise become overzealous about their own wildlife rescue efforts. 

Besides the messages and themes about wildlife, the book also discusses family and the importance of strong family relationships. Madi’s sympathy for the beaver kits and her determination to provide for them relates to this theme, but her relationships with her sister Marley and her mother also play significant roles in the plot. Her closeness to her deceased grandmother is also important. Unfortunately, these side plots aren’t given enough attention to contribute much to the overall experience of the book. Although this book will appeal to middle-grade wildlife-lovers, its plot is a little too simple to be memorable or distinctive.

Rescue at Lake Wild was a quick fun read with a intriguing mystery, a wildlife lover and amazing characters!

The plot follows Madi, Aaron and Jack who find dead adult beavers and theory beaver kits and decide to find out the murderer. They care for the beavers and solver the mystery whilst also solving the Township's problem.

This was a great read. The writing was brilliant and I read it in one sitting as it was quite gripping. I loved the characters and their friendship! Though I wish it was a bit more fleshed out and we saw a bit more character backstory.

Overall this was a brilliant read and I would definitely recommend it to middle grade readers!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the E-arc!

I’ve been a fan of Terry Lynn Johnson for a while now. She’s known for adventurous books for young readers like Ice Dogs, Sled Dog School and Dog Driven. And my 7-year-old is completely enamored with Terry’s Survivor Diaries series. She’s keeps asking when the next book will come out.

I can’t think of a better recommendation that that.

Rescue at Lake Wild has a smaller scope, focusing mostly on Madi’s home, surrounding wild areas and town. The action’s a bit more sedate, but there are still a few breathtaking moments. What’s not different, however, is Terry’s ability to set a scene and her attention to detail. As a reader, you see the kits in front of you. You can practically feel them nuzzle up to you. The sights, the sounds, the smells, they’re all there.

Madi, Aaron and Jack are a delightful trio who balance each other out. They’ve all got their quirks, and that, along with Jack’s dog, Lid, make for some great interactions, mishaps and discoveries.

Rescue at Lake Wild celebrates friendship, ingenuity and nature. It will make an excellent addition to any reader’s growing library.

Definitely a good, caring-about-nature and responsible-caretaking type book. The 12yr old has a bit too much freedom in my opinion as a parent of an 12yr old. The beaver kits might have more personality than the main character's two best friends but it was still a fun read.

Madi Lewis loves animals. She spends time each day observing the wildlife that lives near Lake Wild. Her grandmother taught her how to log the details she sees as well as how to take care of strays. All that practice comes in handy when Madi and her friends (Aaron and Jack) and Jack's dog Lid discover orphaned beaver kits. Even though Madi has promised not to take in any strays for awhile, she feels compelled to save the little guys. It is a tough balancing act to keep the little kits a secret while taking care of them and figuring out how their parents were killed. If her new charges are discovered, Madi will lose the chance to meet Jane Goodall at a special conservation event. On top of that the town population seems to be more and more anti-beaver. Can Madi and friends solve the mystery of the dead beavers while also helping their community find a new way to accommodate the beavers who want to live near their lakes and streams. Lots of great facts about caring for animals with a list of Dos at the end of the book. This would make a really great read aloud as a part of an Earth Day celebration.

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group through NetGalley.
Middle grade readers who enjoy adventure and caring for animals will love this one. Johnson's characters are passionate about taking care of injured wild animals and about solving mysteries involving damage to nature. Madi shared a bond with her grandmother and learned to care for wildlife from her. She was a wildlife rehabilitator. Madi misses her and her advice about rescuing wild animals. The book begins with them attempting to rescue two beaver kits after their parents have been shot. Together with her friends Jack and Aaron, Madi gets them out of their lodge and brings them back to her home to care for them. The three work together to hide them from everyone else. There is the expected crises along the way and the fallout from the beavers being discovered by adults, and a happy ending for the beavers and children.
Johnson combines informative text with the story. She has obviously done research and introduces readers to beavers and how they interact with their world. Shorter chapters will appeal to mid to upper elementary level readers. Tips for interacting with wildlife are included at the end.

The publisher HMH Books for Young Kids and NetGalley gave me a chance to review Rescue at Lake Wild.

The protagonist is a young girl who admires Jane Goodall and wants to follow in her footsteps. The young girl's grandmother Nana was also a rescuer of wildlife animals.

This Young Adult novel is about preteen children who rescue orphaned beavers.

With thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Just today my 4th grade students were telling me what makes them want to keep reading a book....when it has animals, when new mysteries keep popping up during the story, and there are adventures throughout the story...Rescue at Lake Wild has all those things, so I'd say it's one kids will enjoy!

This is a quick middle grade read about friendship, family, and great lessons on taking care of the environment. This would make a great read at the beginning of summer to encourage kids to head outside and observe nature.

The hair-raising rescue of two beaver kits grabs readers in the first few pages of this novel. The tension eases off, but the fascination with these little critters never ends.

In the small town of Willow Grove, beavers have been building dams and flooding agricultural land. The farmers are not happy.

When twelve year old Madi and her two best friends, Aaron and Jack, discover two dead adult beavers, they know they have to rescue their babies. They also have to find out who murdered them. The trajectory of this novel follows these two arcs.

Madi's grandmother was an "animal whisperer" and wildlife rehabilitator, someone who rescues wild animals and returns them to the wild. Madi learned much from her and brings the two kits home with her, even though she has been warned not to bring home any more animals. She has to keep them a secret from her older sister and her parents. If she's caught she won't be able to go meet Jane Goodall, her personal hero.

While Madi's focus is on keeping the beavers safe in their clubhouse, the boys are more focused on discovering who is responsible for the deaths of the beavers. As the deaths pile up and they find another kit, their goals become more urgent.

Madi is able to keep her secret because her parents are often away from home working. Her older sister, Marley is more interested in boys than hanging out with her little sister any more. Marley plans to have a party when her parents are away. When she discovers the kits, the two sisters make a pact to keep each other's secrets.

There is a lot to love about this book. While the two sisters seem to be growing apart, Marley is involved in Madi's life and her problems than is at first obvious. Madi and her friends live in an idyllic place. They get to spend their summers boating on a lake and exploring wild spaces on their own. Looking after the beaver kits involves a lot of research. This means that readers learn a lot while reading this engaging tale.

Madi, Aaron, and Jack are delightful characters with their own interests and backgrounds. I am hoping that this is the first in a series and that we will get to know more about the boys in future novels.

Rescue at Lake Wild was a fun read! Terry Lynn Johnson is no stranger to me, I've read a number of her books and love her love of the great outdoors. Ice Dogs and Dogsled Dreams are my favourites.

This book is the story of 3 friends and a dog named Lid, they find themselves on an adventure over the summer break. Madi isn't a stranger when it comes to rescuing wild animals and sometimes she gets more than she bargained for. She is determined, smart and up for the challenge, anger flairs when injustices are done in the wild. Her friends Aaron and Jack added that extra comic relief to this story.

Again the writing was spot on. It was descriptive, informative and I read it in a couple sittings. While its perfect for young readers I quite enjoyed myself. The author's knowledge of baby beavers was evident, it felt natural as Madi used knowledge and instinct to care for them. It didn't feel like an info dump getting to know the habits and traits of these beaver kits. The ending might have been a tad rushed but still a fitting conclusion.

Rescue at Lake Wild releases on April 27th and available for preorder now.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute book about a girl who learned about wildlife rescue from her late grandmother and seeks to follow in her footsteps. It wasn’t too long and the beavers were adorable. I enjoyed it!

This is a very quick middle school book about beavers being killed in the wild, and Madi trying to both solve who is doin the killing, as well as make sure that the kits (the baby beavers), are kept alive. She is not supposed to be rehabilitating them, but she knows how to do it, having learned it from her grandmother.

The author said that she was inspired to write this story after hearing stories of beavers, and what they were like. She also interviewed rehabilitation experts, on what the best thing to do for kits would be. It is both a mystery, as well as a book on beavers, and all things related to them.

Good way to get kids interested in nature, and being out in it.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest reivew.</em>

This was such an uplifting read which made the pandemic a little easier. At least for a week.

It's a young middle grade read about a little girl who loves animals and saving them is her passion. She saved beaver kits and want everyone to help while she is keeping the beaver in her room and prays that her parents or her sister will not come inside and see what she is doing. Madi's love for animals is such a lovely and cute thing, since I relate so much to her because as I was being a little girl I was saving all the animals out there and my parents weren't allowing me to keep them

Somehow Madi's been a little courageous and she is finding a Foster for these lovely animals she finds. Love the bond with her grandmother and the fact that is keeping the tradition
For sure I am going to buy this book at the release date for my niece. I think she is going to adore this one.

Many thanks to the publisher and #netgalley for an advance readers copy of this book. It was a pleasure reading it

Terry Lynn Johnson's books are always a treat to read. Informative, exciting and packed with wildlife. Taking care of a kit sounds like a daunting task. While they may be cute, they sure seem to be able to make a mess. I appreciate that Johnson included a Do's and Don'ts with wild animals as well as what the hazards are of poachers. Montana has a wild wings recreational center and I really appreciate that places like this exist to rehabilitate and release animals back into the wild. The story really makes you think about the fragility of the environment and indirectly about being a good environmental steward. How it was important to have a balance between the beavers making their dam and minimizing their plugging up drain outlets and culverts. Madi is quite an ingenious problem solver, when her first solution doesn't work she tries another. Never one to give up. She deeply cares for animals and wants nothing more than to follow in her Nana's footsteps, I respect her dedication to animal rescue. I love how the story wove together facts about beavers, their familial traits, and how Johnson explains the risks of taking care of a wild animal, how it's important they be fed the right food, the right amount across the right space of time. This is truly a valuable story that highlights the importance of appreciating one's environment while also keeping it safe and clean. A must read for kids interested in animal rescuers, outdoor adventures or the environment.

**Thank you to BlueSlip media for the E-ARC access via Netgalley**