Moose Tracks [Paperback]

Mary Casanova (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up

Seth's stepfather, a game warden, had told him about a gang of poachers, but Seth never expected to meet up with them in the woods. After Seth witnesses them slaughter of a moose cow, he is desperate to save her calf. He wants to tell his stepfather, but he's afraid. The poachers know who he is and are threatening Seth and his family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Squeamish readers may have trouble getting past this debut novel's first chapter, which describes in gruesome detail the hero's shooting of a rabbit and then his severing of its foot. When 12-year-old Seth later witnesses two men poaching a cow moose, he is warned by the law-breakers to say nothing to his game-warden stepfather. Though the boy thinks he wants the grown-up thrill of hunting, the rabbit and moose episodes lead him to question his desire. In fact Seth is unusually sensitive to animals-he is gentle with his horse and his cat-and vows to save the poached moose's injured orphan calf. The boy's attempts to rescue the animal and stop the poachers are paralleled by his concerns about the baby his mother is about to have and questions about his biological father, whom he's never met. Casanova earnestly conveys the ugliness of killing animals for financial gain, but significant portions of the novel (including a melodramatic ending) resemble TV adventures, and the themes of sibling anxiety and approaching teen years are approached in merely routine fashion. Ages 9-12.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6?The novel begins with Seth, 12, illegally shooting a rabbit near his home in a wilderness area in northern Minnesota. His feelings of guilt over the incident are complicated by the fact that his stepfather is the local game warden. Things become even more complicated when Seth sees some poachers killing a cow moose and wounding her calf. They follow Seth to his barn and rough him up. Undeterred, the boy finds their hideout, orchestrates their capture, and, with the help of the warden, rescues the moose calf. At the story's end, Seth has confessed to the killing of the rabbit and grown closer to his stepfather. This is a fast-paced adventure story, frequently helped along by Casanova's precise and evocative descriptions. Seth is a winning character and readers are given a chance to get to know him and his inner conflicts while enjoying the adventurous plot. Many young readers are also likely to be intrigued by his isolated life on the fringe of a wilderness area.?Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786811374
• ISBN-13: 978-0786811373
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,247,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MOOSE TRACKS, February 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Moose Tracks (Paperback)

Our son is nine years old, is an active reader and has read many books. MOOSE TRACKS is his favorite book that he has ever read! It was fun as parents to watch our sons excitement of reading this book. He loved the mystery, the vivid descriptions of Seth and Matts journey, and how the good won over the bad. Their journey took place in the wilderness with natures wild animals and said he felt like he was actually there with Seth and Matt. Throughout the story he could not wait to see what was going to happen next. He was disappointed when the story finally came to an end. Our son cannot wait to use his allowance to buy the sequal book, WOLF SHADOWS. This is our first book we have ever recommended. We look forward to reading the rest of Mary Casanovas books!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moose Tracks, February 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Moose Tracks (Paperback)

Moose Tracks is a non stop action book about a boy named Seth who enjoys going hunting with his best friend Matt. Seth decides to go hunting for the first time without his fathers permision and gets his first kill. But when Seth pushes his luck a little to far Seth gets in trouble with some moose poachers that want to make sure Seth doesn't say anything about them. Towards the books conclusion Seth and his buddy Matt get stuck in the poachers abandoned mine, and have to find a way out of there jam while trying to save a moose calf and catch the poachers at the same time. Moose Tracks is a great book for anyone that likes a lot of adventure and action.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Teacher's Perspective, December 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Moose Tracks (Paperback)

I am a fourth grade teacher and use this book in my classroom with my nine and ten year olds. I have to say that we all find the book very interesting and my students don't want to put it down. The plight of Seth and the moose-calf is so compelling that my students love to try to relate to both of these characters and predict what will happen next. Casanova uses some great language to really make the woods in Minnesota come alive.

As a teacher I love this book as an instructional tool. It shows my students how fun and informative reading can be. Also Casanova does not talk down to the students, or question their intelligence as so many contemparary young adult writers do. My students are also intrigued to look into the fact behind the fiction. Also, Seth's lifestyle is very different from that of my New England students and therefore it helps to show them the differences between children within their own country. I have just started using this book in my classroom and will continue to do so for years to come.