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Book Reviews

My Marissa: Home Again in Oak Branch Woods Kimberly Shriner 1stBooks Library ISBN: (paperback): 1-4033-7378-7 ISBN # (hard cover): 1-4033-7378-5
A development project threatens to take away what little is left of already-ravaged Oak Branch Woods. Despite dangers, Marissa, a young rabbit, and her mate, Bobbin, plan to raise a family?ntil a construction accident rips the expectant mother away. Ecologist Laura Holling, who can ensure the safety of Marissa’s family, could also save their home. Working with game warden Jack Roderick, she faces more than just the usual disagreements on conservation and preservation. Website: http://dreamvalley-mlp.com/homepage/book.html
Shadow Horse Allison Hart Random House ISBN: 0375802630
This is a story about a teenager named Jas who must be placed in a foster home temporarily. Jas is a troubled teen, suspicious and resentful. The home turns out to be a horse rescue sanctuary. While the story line is aimed at teen readers, my brother-in-law and I both read it, thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to subsequent books in this series. The book contains mystery, suspense, romance, and education on what it means to take on the lifetime care of an animal, including but not limited to horses. Reviewed by: Antoinette Smith, H.O.R.S.E.S. in Texas, state-wide equine rescue organization headquartered near the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex.
When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals Jeffery Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy ISBN: 0385314280 Dell Publishing
Masson and McCarthy transform you into a world where the perspective comes from the animals. Anecdotes gathered from a variety of species show animals as individuals with a conscious and capability of showing emotion. Love, sadness, fear, and many other emotions are discussed and described from how an animal expresses them. This outstanding book not only discusses non-human primates and other large mammals but also rodents and birds. It is fascinating how it connects you to the animal kingdom and adds to the question in your mind as to how so many people still exploit animals. Reviewed by: Leila Reilly
Free the Animals Ingrid Newkirk ISBN:1930051220 Lantern Books
The director of PETA details the fascinating story of the Animal Liberation Front, from its unlikely beginnings in the USA to its almost present-day status. Follow "Valerie," the founder of the group in this country, as she goes from a policewoman to "lawbreaker." Get the inside story on the ALF's first jobs and the history behind a lot of the most famous cases in animal rights. For those new to the movement, it also provides a valuable background and explains how many well-known figures in the movement got to where they are today. But above all, you'll cheer as the ALF liberates animals and exposes lab after lab. Order the book from PETA.
Mad Cowboy: Plain Truth from the Cattle Rancher Who Won't Eat Meat Howard F. Lyman with Glen Merzer ISBN: 0684845164 Scribner
For anyone unfamiliar with Howard Lyman, he is the fourth-generation dairy farmer who was sued by Texas cattle ranchers for "food disparagement" for his appearance on Oprah. His journey from pesticide-loving, antibiotic-feeding rancher to president of the International Vegetarian Union and EarthSave International makes for fascinating reading. Mad Cowboy is a scathing condemnation of the meat industry mainly from a environmental point of view. It gives many details of the ravages this industry has caused on our world and gives a bleak outlook for the earth if things don't change soon. The effects of meat production on our air, water, topsoil, forests and bodies are astounding. Written with the humor and down-home common sense of an everyday Joe, this book clearly spells out that eating meat is not just bad for the animals who die, but for the people who eat their carcasses and the earth that produces them. Visit Howard Lyman's Web site.
The Witness (video) A documentary by Tribe of Heart, starring Eddie Lama
There are no words to describe the power of The Witness. It is a beautiful, moving, sad story that somehow makes you feel good after you watch it. It tells the story of Eddie Lama, a contractor in New York City who changed from a person who never thought of animals and their suffering to a man who rescues animals from the streets, started his own sanctuary (Oasis), and invented new technology that allows him to drive the streets of his town while showing fur and factory farm videos on a large screen. The faces of the New Yorkers as they watch the film are priceless. The video contains many memorable images and unforgettable ideas, as Mr. Lama takes us through his thought processes as they changed. For example, he tells of the moment when he finally realized that there is no difference between the animals, only his perceptions of them made some pets and others food. Tribe of Heart is planning two more documentaries in this series. Visit Tribe of Heart.
Milk: The Deadly Poison Robert Cohen with a foreword by Jane Heimlich ISBN: 0965919609 Argus Pub Inc.
At a time when our government buys huge milk surpluses, corporate giant Monsanto invented a way to get cows to produce more milk. Despite evidence that their invention caused illness in cows (leading to an increased level of antibiotics in their milk) and could cause and accelerate the growth of cancer, Monsanto was able to get their product approved by the FDA BY GETTING TWO KEY RESEARCHERS AND THEIR LAWYER ON THE PROJECT HIRED AT THE FDA. The researchers reviewed their own research, upped the "acceptable" level of antibiotics in milk by 100 times to accommodate their findings and then the lawyer rewrote policies to keep milk from cows treated with the new drug from being labeled, so the American public has been prevented from even knowing what they are drinking. Congress is also involved, accepting donations from the dairy industry and Monsanto. During this time many state laws were passed against disparaging food items, so now in many ways it's actually illegal to COMPLAIN about this (remember Oprah being sued over beef?). In fact, Monsanto actually sued two dairies who advertised they were NOT using the new drug. There are so many conflicts of interest in this story that your blood will boil. Hopefully it will inspire you to act, before Monsanto is able to pay and lie their way into changing the makeup of all our foods, not just milk. The book is a bit repetitive at times and some parts are difficult to read, but it is WELL worth your time. Read it. Visit Robert Cohen's Web site.
The Compassion of Animals: True Stories of Animal Courage and Kindness Kristin von Kreisler ISBN: 0761509909 Prima Publishing
After a close call with an earthquake, through which her three pets comforted her and showed their compassion, author Kristin von Kreisler began thinking about animal abuse and how she could help. She began researching stories of animal kindness and compassion and has compiled them into this book. There are stories of rescues in the rapids, dogs that sniff out cancer cells, a cow that alerts an owner to the underground trap where his terrier can be found, extraordinary kindess to children, animals helping members of another species, such as the dog who took charge of baby hedgehogs, and animals who gave their own lives to save another. There are strays who show up at the perfect time, pets, animals in shelters, cats, dogs, cows, pigs, and horses. They save people and other animals from fires, floods, earthquakes, illness and other people. These heartwarming stories show what pet guardians have known all along: that animals are indeed capable of incredible amounts of kindness and compassion, even those that have suffered abuse in their past. Remarkably, a number of researchers that von Kreisler told about her findings rejected them, saying that animals are only capable of acting on instinct. Particularly striking are the lengths that some of these animals went to to alert humans to danger - humans who wanted to come in from the cold, who tired of the barking, who watched their animals sniff around the same area for weeks before bothering to investigate. We would do well to learn from the animals.
Standing Up to Mr. O. Claudia Mills ISBN: 0786814047 Hyperion Books for Children
I ordered this book from Amazon.com to use in my classroom, and found it a very good read! Seventh-grader Maggie adores her biology teacher - not only is he the "coolest" teacher she knows, he provides her with something of a father-figure since her own father deserted her and her mother when Maggie was four. When Mr. O. says EVERYONE must dissect an earthworm (and later other animals) Maggie is faced with a terrible dilemma: disappoint her favorite teacher (and possibly fail the class) or compromise her own beliefs by going along with the dissection. Several supporting characters add interest and depth to this story for middle-school or older kids. A classmates points out Maggie's inconsistencies (she eats meat) and Maggie realizes he has a point, so she becomes a vegetarian! The story also introduces the subject of veganism. There are a couple of flaws; for one thing Maggie decides to keep a frog in a terrarium at the end instead of freeing him, and this should be discussed with youngsters. Overall, however, I think this is a great book to introduce animal rights-related issues to kids. Other issues involved are absent fathers/single parenting, teen rebellion, best friends and boy-girl relationships. Reviewed by: Jan Herzog, Bilingual Montessori teacher at Huey Montessori Plant and Animal Kingdom, Wichita Falls, Texas
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