The Animal Rescue Agency

Written by Eliot Schrefer

Book #1 in the Animal Rescue Agency series

A fox and rooster race to save a polar bear cub from a human threat.

5.8/7 Bookroo expert·3.7/5 Goodreads · 248 ratings

192 pages· 25,078 words· Est. 3.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Esquire Fox, a reformed trickster, and Mr. Pepper, a spirited rooster, lead the Animal Rescue Agency. Their latest mission takes them to the Arctic, where a polar bear cub's life hangs in the balance. As they unravel the mystery, they face an unexpected adversary: a human. Can this unlikely duo outsmart the world's most dangerous predator and save the cub in time? Adventure, friendship, and conservation collide in this thrilling tale.

From the publisher

New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer introduces a delightful and dynamic animal duo in a race against time to save a polar bear cub in the first book of this hilarious and heartwarming middle grade series about friendship and conservation. When an animal is in trouble, there’s only one place to turn: the Animal Rescue Agency! Dashing Esquire Fox used to organize the world’s most elaborate chicken raids until the day she encountered Mr. Pepper. Meeting the blustery old rooster changed her heart, convincing her to turn from a life of crime and instead form the Animal Rescue Agency, which masterminds rescue operations across the globe.Esquire and her unlikely chicken business manager coordinate their far-flung agents to get them to the Arctic. In that frozen land they learn that what happened to the polar bear cub was no accident–and that saving him will pit them against the scariest predator in the world: a human.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 192
Words: 25,078
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade

Themes & topics

Books about rescues and rescuing Books about animal rescue Books about friendship Books about animals Books about bears

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Scary Villains and Characters

This book includes a man in a white fur hat on a mission to capture a baby polar bear (along with other animals) to sell to a zoo, and is also after the main characters. He captures them once, and tries again after they escape.

Violence

This book includes a few scenes where the villain, the man in the white fur hat, harms, or tries to harm animals, such as shooting a harpoon at some of the animals while trying to capture them and using a shocking object on animals.

Presence of Death

This book includes a scene **SPOILER** where you think an animal might be dead, but turns out not to be.

Language

This book contains an instance where the villain, the man in the white hat, is said to "curse," though no language is actually included.

After the last page

Talk about it together

Esquire and Mr. Pepper each bring different talents to the Animal Rescue Agency. What are their talents, and what talents do you have that could help on their team?

As Esquire and Mr. Pepper rush to the Arctic, they don't have time to formulate the best plan or prepare very well. What could they have done to better prepare?

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.8

out of 7

5.8

“This surprisingly gripping chapter books is great for earlier readers, older readers, or a family read aloud, due to it's page-turner qualities, great message of helping others and saving animals in danger. Plus, you'll immediately fall in love with Esquire and Dr. Pepper in their tweed jacket and quilted tea cozy clothes.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one