Beagle in a Backpack

Animal Ark Holiday Special #16

by Ben M. Baglio, Ann Baum (Illustrator)

Mandy and James are distracted from Halloween planning when local girl Amber Hutton runs away from home with a stolen beagle puppy. Clues left around a sheep farm lead the kids to believe that Amber is hiding out on the moors.

But even if the girl and dog are found, will they all be able to make it safely back over the moors that are riddled with jagged holes and underground caves.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Novels

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Ben M. Baglio created the brief for two series of children's books - Dolphin Diaries and Animal Ark. Dolphin Diaries features a girl and her family from Florida, who travel around the world as marine biologists and study dolphins. Animal Ark features two children who work together to help animals and solve animal-related mysteries. The books were written by commissioned writers in the UK under Baglio's instruction using the pseudonym Lucy Daniels. Each ghostwriter is named with a 'Special Thanks' on the copyright page.

Using his real name he also wrote the book series The Pet Finders Club, featuring a group of three children who search for peoples lost pets.

Reviews

[Daciana Washburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son gave it 4.5 ⭐️

[Eva Meng]

I think this book is very interesting because there is some parts where something is bad or exciting. I think this book is also very sad because there was one part where the beagle's eye was swollen and has to be taken care of by a veterinarian or a doctor. I felt really sad for the beagle but was happy that he was cured by Mandy's mother and father. I thought book would be a good book for many people to read because they care about animals. This book should be share all around the world. I also think that this book should be recommend to people who have a pet or something. This book should be passed around everywhere. I think this is also a very exciting and has a lot of action.

This is a great book for people who likes a little action.

[Casey Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have the hole animal ark series you think oh what 7 year old books but your wrong there books can be for any age from like 15 down!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute read. The story was interesting and filled with lots of twists and turns.
But I felt like the story really dragged out. The plot was all over the place between trying to find Amber and Frisbee as well as figuring out what was wrong with Portia. Both were interesting plot lines, but including both in one book made it feel like too much.
I also couldn't help but dislike Mandy's character. Her love of animals was amiable, but she felt like too much of a grown up. The way she talked and worried about everything made it hard to relate to her (even for me as a "grown up"). Everything about her felt too serious for a children's book.
I also didn't like how Mandy's parents treated her like a grown up. They'd tell her to do something, she'd argue, and they'd realize she was right and let her do her own thing (no matter how irresponsible or dangerous). This felt highly unrealistic. I wanted them to act like real parents at some point.
Overall, an okay read. There is no denying that Frisbee is adorable.

[Lianna Kendig · Rating 4 out of 5]

(LL)
Even though this is about the tenth book about dogs, the book added a new twist to the story and the subplot with Portia was also pretty cool.

[Sofi Bailey]

I loved this book it was so good i would read it again 20 more times

[Shannen S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it was a good book, it was a pretty short book so I managed to finish in 30 minutes. In this book there are many connections from the real world to the book. At the very start of the book, it took place in a vet, and there are many vets around the world. On Page 60, Mandy tells Amber how worried her parents are about her, and in the real world most parents worry about their child all the time about many different things. On Page 87, Amber finds out she has a sprained ankle, and many people in the world has experienced with a sprain ankle before so its pretty normal as it actually is very common. At the very end of the book, Mr Parker Smythe's bird finally gets to go home with him, and he talks about how he has missed his pet so much while the bird was at the vet's cage as they needed to monitor him, many people around the world if they have pets would miss their pets dearly if they needed to stay at a pet hospital or even worse passed away. Overall it was a great book, but it was short and easy, and since it's a short and easy book it gives you a great way to practice note-taking skills and reading skills. I really enjoyed it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 6 year old read it first, then I decided it sounded like a cute enough story and read it, as well. I appreciated the actual veterinary terminology (glandular hypertrophy and cherry eye) instead of saying "the dog's eye had a boo-boo" as most kids' books are want to do. We both learned a few things while getting caught up in the main storyline of the missing girl and the beagle puppy. There was a side plot or two (like the ill Portia the hyacinth macaw) that you found yourself worrying about.

Overall, a wonderful read for kids (especially the animal-lovers), as there was no name-calling, violence, and not even a dead parent for once. As an adult, I also enjoyed the easy-going plotline and the new medical terminology I picked up. The characters (Mandy, her parents, her friend James, and the missing girl, along with the other non-human characters) were likeable, honest, and interesting. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Baglio's books.

[Kyla Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mandy is a girl who is 12 her mom and dad have a vet clinic attached to their house. Mandy wants to help every animal that is in need. A girl that is fourteen goes missing plus a sick macaw is in need of serious help, but they can't diagnose it with anything and the bird is going down hill rapidly.

[♥Mrs.Ally Cullen♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

i bought this book at my old schools book fair. i wanted that book because i have a beagle of my own and i wanted to put her in my backpack to take to school with me.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs are awesome

[Katie-Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

these books are so good. I read them to my llittle brother a lot.

[Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like a lot of Ben M. Baglio's books. They are a good book just to read. This was my favorite out of most of his. If you love animal books you should really read this one.

[Katelyn 11-12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great! It kept me reading because I wanted to know how it ended and it was very fascinating!

[Kayla Elam]

Read these books as a kid and I loved them! I would reccomend them to tweens who love to read.

[Jacquelyn Suegay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The puppy was so cute ! Why did Amber run away ?

[Taylor Troncin]

Loved this series when I was younger. Still a huge animal lover and would like to read the rest of this series!

[Mallory Tabler · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this series this is a great mystery i couldnt put it down

[Ashton Crutcher]

I think you should read it is awesome tht I think it is a mystorie

[Clara Zhang · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story about people and animals!

[Mellanie C]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13132151