EYE OF THE DRONE

This is the second book in the Wild Cats, around the globe with Suki and Finch series. I was not impressed with the first book but I liked this one. This graphic novel with 3-D characters Suki and Finch travel to Russia, China, Mongolia and Nepal in search of Wild Cats. Specifically they are looking for the Eurasian Lynx, Siberian Tiger, Snow Leopard, Asiatic Golden Cat,and Pallas's Cat.

There is so much more going on in this book. Not only are Suki and Finch sneaking into countries without having their passports stamped, but they are being tracked by drones owned by a logging company. They also meet up with a woodland fairy who helps them in a couple of situations. I liked that the characters break the fifth wall a couple of times to tell the reader they are not real so that children reading this book will not think that what they are doing is a good idea. Children, especially the animal lovers, will love this series that is full of fun and informational facts. It is realistic and current and I believe kids will be able to relate to it. The photography is beautiful and bright. The format of the book is a bit strange with the characters' dialogue happening on the right side of the page like a text conversation. Most of the left side is the animated characters on top of wonderful photos.

If conservation efforts are to be successful, it is important that children learn early on about the wide variety of endangered species and how we can make a difference. Wild Cats also includes facts about the landscape and the various other animals indigenous to the areas explored. While not without problems, Wild Cats has potential. It is a good way to introduce younger readers to the various species of big cats and the threats to their habitat.

A follow-up from the previous title. I think the series is doing well to keep the interest of the reader and engage the reader in the message within its pages. It's witty, funny, a bit quirky, but still most enjoyable. Of course there are some truly unbelievable moments, but all in all, I would recommend.

Review: EYE OF THE DRONE by Rebecca Merry Murdock (Suki & Finch #2)

This exciting middle-grade series is both adventurous and educational. I recommend that parents and grandparents read the books along with their middle-grade readers, to discuss the wildlife, endangered species, rainforest devastation, and corporations which devastate resources. Each installment covers a different portion of the globe, in which intrepid explorers and eco-advocates Suki and Finch search for species of big cats. A multinational corporation, the fictional K-POG, headquartered in Florida, tracks Suki and Finch with drones, as it does eco-activism organizations, and threatens to stop them. Sometimes Suki and Finch are helped by magic as well as by technology [ Santa, fairies, magical butterflies]. Lovely illustrations and explanatory text provide a smooth reading experience so that readers learn while being entertained.

Fabulous!! What fun. Thank you so much for sharing. I will recommend this book to others.

Neat pictures. Adding the 3 D kids and a story line is a good way to show kids new things about our world. Plot was a little thin.

The 3-D graphics is eye catching to young readers. I felt the overall book was great. The details about different items in Russia from the Siberian Tiger to the Kremlin were outstanding and helpful. Very educational and interesting. The story line of the book is fairly good for this age group. The idea of young people traveling to learn about certain animals and in the midst of doing so are being spied on is a cool theme. I think this book would be a good read.

The next book will take us to Southern Asia including Japan and the Philippines. Don't know about you, but I can't wait. EYE OF THE DRONE is a thrilling read, which will suit any young people who want to know what is going on in the world and just how endangered the remaining wild cats have become.

Our young nature heroes on the next leg of their wild cat trail

Although this isn't my preference of graphic novel, I think it's audience of children and young adults will like the story and format. I did like that throughout the story, facts appear to educate the reader such as what the Kremlin is, facts about the Great Wall of China, and most of all, facts about the cats that Suki and Finch were looking for.