Adventures of Riley: Mission to Madagascar

Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz
Eaglemont Press (2005)
ISBN 13: 9780974841120
ISBN 10: 0974841129
Reviewed by Cindy Lynn Jacobs for Reader Views (8/06)

Riley received a letter from Uncle Max (a world-famous biologist) inviting him to join him and his film crew to Madagascar to help search for the mysterious aye-aye lemur. As I began to read the story, I quickly found myself experiencing the same adventure as Riley. Soon we found ourselves immersed in the richness of the East Central Rain Forest and its surrounding wildlife.

I roomed with Riley in the lodge while he sat up “thinking about the strange aye-aye, living somewhere in the dark forest.” I shuddered when we heard the “tap … tap … scratch … scratch” outside and when we peeked out the window, “two odd lights glowed from the tree branches.” Our hearts pounded and we pulled the blankets over our heads, hoping morning would come soon.

When we started hunting for the rare and mysterious aye-aye, we discovered many other animals and plant life, such as the fossa—a mongoose-like creature—and the baobab tree whose trunk can sometimes be large enough to make into a house.

McIntyre’s vivid artwork, blended with actual photographs of animals, bring Lumry and Hurwitz’s story to life. The book enables the reader to experience Madagascar with Riley on an exciting, yet realistic level. Kids will relate to Riley’s thoughts, actions and emotions as he makes several new discoveries in this unfamiliar ecosystem.

“Adventures of Riley: Mission to Madagascar” is a great learning tool for teachers, librarians and conservationists, but can just as easily be used as simple entertainment for any child. The book offers a passport with a sticker to help commemorate the reader’s visit to Madagascar. Other great additions to the book include sidebars throughout its pages that highlight interesting facts about specific plants or animals on the island country, a glossary (including such words as nocturnal and endemic) and an invitation for Riley’s World Membership Kit. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Wildlife Conservation Society.

“Adventures of Riley: Mission to Madagascar” is the recipient of the fall 2005 Book Sense Children’s Book Pick and winner of the 2005 Mom’s Choice Award. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in engaging in a new and exciting adventure in an unfamiliar land.

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