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New Children’s Chapter Book Series: Race The Wild

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Rain Forest Relay (Race the Wild series #1)  by Kristin Earhart
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Rain Forest Relay is the first book in the new Race the Wild series that was published this past April.  This series is like the Amazing Race for kids.   (On an aside, the Weekend Chef and I have always been big fans of the Amazing Race, and at one point might have even contemplated applying for the show!)  In this series teams of four are competing in The Wild Life, a race around the world, with a million dollar prize for the winning team.  As they race, the teams (and the reader) learn all about the animal kingdom and different habitats.  This first book, and the first leg of the race, takes place in the Amazon Rain Forest.  Russell thought that he was going to be on a team with four of his friends, but is ends up being teamed up with strangers, while his friends get to be a team.  Every chapter begins with facts about the rain forest, including information on animals, endangered species, and what life is like in the rain forest.  Information about the rain forest is provided in a fun and entertaining way.  The book also focuses on friendships, both new and old and the importance of working together.

According to the back cover this book is at a Grade 4 reading level, targeting readers in 2nd through 4th grade.  My 7 year-old son (who is an advanced reader for his age) read this book and liked it enough that he is interested in reading the next book.  I read it and really enjoyed it!  My only criticism is that I’m not sure how realistic it is to have kids racing around the world without their parents.  I don’t recall the ages of the kids being provided, regardless, I wouldn’t be sending my child off on their own.  We are looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Great Reef Games soon!

*We borrowed this book from the library.

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