Budding animal enthusiasts take note, you definitely want to get your hands on Terry Lynn Johnson’s new middle grade novel Rescue at Lake Wild if you are interested in animals and especially wildlife rehabilitation.

Madison Lewis is a 12 year old animal rehabber, at least she aspires to be one just like her grandmother. When she lost her grandma she has continued to feel a responsibility to the local wildlife but her well meaning actions are having some unintended consequences. So much so that she has been told she is never to bring home any wild animals again. When the local beaver population is being threatened by poachers Madison and her friends Jack and Aaron, jump into action, saving some baby kits and solving the case of the beaver poaching.

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Terry Lynn Johnson’s passion for animals and knowledge about animal rehabilitation just leaps off the pages. Not only is this a fantastic story full of twists and turns, and the cutest little beaver kits, it is incredibly informative. I learned a ton about beavers and their behaviours through Madison. In the author’s note at the end, Terry Lynn describes how many of the different scenes in the story were inspired by real life events which just makes this book all the more delightful.

Rescue at Lake Wild is a fantastic buddy story as well. Madi, Jack and Aaron are a cohesive, incredibly supportive group of friends all with their strengths that when combined not only saves orphaned beaver kits but also solve the beaver problem and solve the case of the beaver poaching. Readers will be charmed from page 1. Also there are the most adorable little illustrations at the start of each chapter, courtesy of Maike Plenzke.

As a child who grew up in a rural area, just like Madi at a young age we were given tons of freedoms that children don’t necessarily get these days, especially children who grow up in the city. This story is filled with freedom and trust, something many middle grade readers are just feeling fro the first time. Hopefully Rescue at Lake Wild will inspire young readers to get outside and have adventures in their own backyards and further afield.