Zucchini Out West [Hardcover]

Barbara Dana (Author), Lynette Hemmant (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Zucchini is Billy's pet and his best friend. When biologists at the ASPCA think that Zucchini is a rare black-footed ferret, Billy is in a quandary. He loves animals and does everything he can to help the ecology, but realizes that he can't keep an endangered animal as a pet. Can Billy do the right thing and risk losing Zucchini forever?.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5. Shy, 10-year-old Billy; his pet ferret, Zucchini; his sister, Emma; and his divorced father visit the prairie in this sequel to Zucchini (HarperCollins, 1982). This episodic tale is the story of that trip, with portions told from the cheery ferret's point of view. The journey gives Billy a chance to spend time with his actor father and to meet the scientists who are working with an endangered species of ferret. The boy wants to find out for certain whether Zucchini is one of that rare breed; if so, he would be forced to hand the animal over to the lab. Five-year-old Emma provides some comic relief to a rather involved plot. Billy's character develops slowly and the adults appear stiff and one-sided. All in all, this is an unexceptional animal adventure. Black-and-white sketches provide some humor. While the book does not have the vitality or charm of Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle (Morrow, 1965) or Lynne Reid Banks's I Houdini (Doubleday, 1988), it will appeal to ferret lovers and fans of the first book.?Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. In this sequel to Zucchini (1982), 10-year-old Billy Reynolds and his younger sister, Emma, prepare for a three-week vacation with their dad to visit several ferret experts in Wyoming. Billy, who fears that Zucchini may be of the endangered black-footed variety, brings his treasured pet along, even though he knows he may have to surrender it. Further complicating matters, Emma insists her pet mouse, One-Day-Service, join the entourage. The story's strengths include believable characters, a good mix of funny and poignant scenes, and a great deal of information about ferrets. A humorous subplot involving Emma's annoying mouse--whose behavior on its wheel gives new meaning to the term rat race--helps to relieve the tension and provides some action during the long car rides. Multiple viewpoints and the animals' anthropomorphism are also well handled, making this a good pick for middle-graders. Kay Weisman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060248971
• ISBN-13: 978-0060248970
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,733,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful tale of love, sacrifice and personal growth, May 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Zucchini Out West (Hardcover)

In addition to correcting the bulk of incorrect ferret information that was presented in the original book, Zucchini, this heart warming tale also deals with Billy's almost debilitating shyness and Zucchini's dream of a life on the prarie. Barbara Dana surprised me with the incredible amount of growth that Billy and Zucchini undergo (and even Billy's sister to a lesser extent) as they travel out west with Billy's father.

5.0 out of 5 stars Zucchini/ A wonder ful book!, October 15, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Zucchini Out West (Library Binding)

I loved "Zucchini". I first found it in my school library when I was in grade 2. I'v read it many times since. I find someting new each time. I always wondered if there was a sequal. I always wanted that. When I found out there was, I was so happy! I'm looking forward to read it (and buy both books!). It sounds great! ...