I would like to thank Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC.

Odder is a very playful and curious otter, who meets an accident one day that changes her life. This beautifully written novel in verse is based on Monterey Bay Aquarium's sea otter orphan program and the lives of some of their otters. The prose is beautiful and deeply emotional. I really appreciated how the topics were handled and the importance placed on conservation and treating wild animals with respect. I also think that without meaning to, Applegate managed to capture some of the feelings of becoming disabled and how that changes your life. I absolutely loved this book. It was very touching and deeply emotional. I'm sure this will become a favorite of many people.

Odder is Katherine Applegate's newest middlegrade novel. This book is about an otter named Odder who lives near an aquarium. After Odder is attacked by a shark, she is sent to the aquarium so the scientists there can save her.
I really enjoyed this book. Otters are one of my favorite animals so I loved that she chose to focus on otters. I also loved that the whole book is written in verse.

This took me back to the beautifully written, The One and Only Ivan, also by Katherine Applegate. A sweet animal fantasy story, written in free verse, about an amazing sea creature, the otter. While the story is fantasy, the backmatter is extensive and gives information about the creation of the book from real otters at the Monterey Aquarium in California. Kids and adults are going to love this story!

A lyrical story of the life of an orphaned sea otter pup named Odder and her life in rehab as well as in the wild. Having been separated from her mother during a storm, young Odder washes up on a beach where she is rescued and brought to a local sea life rehabilitation facility. Told in verse through Odder's perspective, the reader follows her journey from unskilled and human dependent orphan to a confident, yet sometimes reckless adult otter who has been successfully returned to the sea.. The lines flow easily into one another and readers can't help but want to find out what happens to Odder in each phase of her journey back to the wild. A cautionary tale as well, as Odder's exuberant behavior gets both herself and her best friend into a life or death situation with a surprising outcome. For kids who love animal stories, stories in verse and an excellent family read aloud.

I received a free digital ARC from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group via NetGalley. Katherine Applegate doesn’t disappoint. Her prose are beautiful and her use of animals as the main characters to tell a meaningful story is just outstanding. She uses real places and situations surrounding Monterey Bay Aquarium as reference for a story about otters being rescued. This is a relatable and informative way for kids to understand the importance of wildlife preservation. So recommended.

This is a story of an otter named Odder (come on!) told in verse. I thought it was really well written and it had cute illustrations throughout. Feels like it could also be put with poetry? It based on real stories of otters living in Monteray Bay, CA and has a bit of back matter.