By Michael Delaney
Summary: When Obi's adopted mom, Rachel, and her family go on vacation, it appears they told Tad, the kid that's going to feed the pets, to feed everyone, except Obi. Trapped in her cage with no food or water, the timid and weakened gerbil is forced to take matters into her own paws. Since she can't get Tad's attention from inside her cage (thanks to "those gosh darn headphones in his ears.") she has to break out. Outside her cage, Obi runs into all kinds of trouble including, three vicious cats, a snake that is dying for a live mouse to eat, and a scary tarantula. Eventually, Obi finds a way to get Tad to notice her and survives the ordeal with a new appreciation for her wonderful life.
Review: Adventure and humor drive this quirky story of a gerbil who must persevere to survive. The dialog is witty and plentiful. Among the funny characters is a suspicious squirrel who is convinced Obi must be in jail since she is in a cage. ("I can't help a criminal. I don't want to end up in a cage like you. A life of crime may be fine for you, Obi, but it isn't the life for me.") Kids tend to want to read stories where the protagonist is the same gender as themselves, but I think Obi has enough to offer both genders a pleasurable read.
Interest Level: 3-6
Lexile Level: 740
AR Level: 4.8
Profanity:
None
Inappropriate References:
Squirrel asks Obi if she has "murdered someone."
Inappropriate Behavior:
Cats bully, threaten, and try to harm Obi.
Parental Concern Rating:
1 = Little to worry about
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