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Shelter Pet Squad #2
Merlin
In this charming illustrated chapter book series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord, the Shelter Pet Squad kids find the perfect homes for animals in need!
A pet is missing!
When Suzannah arrives to volunteer at the shelter, one of the animals is missing! It's Merlin, a mischievous ferret who gets into everything, and loves to play hide and seek.
Owning a ferret can be really hard work, the Shelter Pet Squad discovers. Whoever takes Merlin home will need to be prepared. That's why Suzannah and the other kids make up a test to give to anyone who wants to adopt him. But the ferret is full of surprises . . . and even the Shelter Pet Squad has a lot to learn.
Animal lovers will adore this charming series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord.
A pet is missing!
When Suzannah arrives to volunteer at the shelter, one of the animals is missing! It's Merlin, a mischievous ferret who gets into everything, and loves to play hide and seek.
Owning a ferret can be really hard work, the Shelter Pet Squad discovers. Whoever takes Merlin home will need to be prepared. That's why Suzannah and the other kids make up a test to give to anyone who wants to adopt him. But the ferret is full of surprises . . . and even the Shelter Pet Squad has a lot to learn.
Animal lovers will adore this charming series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2015
13 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 14, 2015
Merlin (Shelter Pet Squad #2) by Cynthia Lord – Early Chapter Book – Realistic Fiction – I’m just loving this series. This book was so special with a young girl, Suzannah, who becomes focused on finding a new home for a ferret after it is dropped off at a shelter. I love how the shelter pet squad finds ways to help out the shelter pets and also gets opportunities to learn at the same time. There is fantastic back matter about ferrets, volunteering and helping a shelter and making fun toys for animals.
Book Talk: Where do you look when a pet is missing? Do you look in your couch? In the vents? Suzannah has to search for a missing ferret when she arrives at the pet shelter where she volunteers. Read to find out what happens next!
Book Talk: Where do you look when a pet is missing? Do you look in your couch? In the vents? Suzannah has to search for a missing ferret when she arrives at the pet shelter where she volunteers. Read to find out what happens next!
September 8, 2020
Good book that I read aloud to Juliana (right before she started her 2nd grade year). It gave us a good idea for our hamster - a good idea in the book about a homemade set of toys for the ferret made out of cardboard boxes. So we filled our blue kiddie pool full of fun boxes with doors and openings cut in them and connected with paper towel and toilet paper tubes. Fun ideas! Cute series for beginning easy chapter books.
September 4, 2019
Super cute and perfect for animal lovers. A group of kids of varied ages work at a pet shelter and each book is focused on one animal they want to have adopted by a family. Booktalking this to 3rd and 4th graders but would also work for 2nd and higher if you are a huge animal lover!
September 15, 2020
Loved this book!
June 17, 2024
Sweet, cute and educates about animals and pet care.
December 19, 2016
When second grader Suzannah arrives for a meeting of the Shelter Pet Squad one afternoon, she is immediately thrown into a frenzied search for a missing ferret named Merlin. After Merlin is finally found, Suzannah and her fellow Pet Squad members realize how much work it takes to care for a ferret, and they decide to work extra hard to make sure Merlin is adopted by someone who is properly equipped to address his needs. Unfortunately, because Suzannah is so much younger than the other members of the squad, she finds herself struggling to make a contribution to their project, and feeling disappointed that she can't keep up with the others' more mature abilities.
This follow-up to last year's Jelly Bean is another excellent animal story for beginning chapter book readers. Not only does the story educate young readers about the care and keeping of ferrets, it also provides many teachable moments about asking for help, making mistakes, and feeling left out. Suzannah is a well-developed character, and kids who have ever been the youngest or weakest in a group will relate well to her occasional feelings of inferiority and disappointment. Her willingness to keep trying, and to contribute even when she feels awkward also makes her a great example for kids who might lack the confidence to participate in the activities they love. The relationship between the kids and Merlin's potential new owner is also written very well, and the story ends on a very warm and pleasant note that, though predictable, does not feel contrived.
Though Cynthia Lord's novels are typically on the quiet, introspective side, this chapter book series is a bit more lively, with lots of dialogue and action to keep things moving. The back matter is also just as impressive in Merlin as it was in Jelly Bean. Readers will be thrilled to have the instructions for making the animal toys the kids make in the story, and they will also enjoy the questionnaire to help them decide whether they are ready to own a ferret. A personal author's note from Cynthia Lord is another nice touch, which connects the fictional story to real life.
Along with the Lulu books by Hilary McKay, Shelter Pet Squad is the best chapter book series available right now for animal lovers. Even library collections which already own a lot of animal stories should consider purchasing this one, as it is heads above the rest, and likely to be popular, especially among first and second graders who read well on their own.
This follow-up to last year's Jelly Bean is another excellent animal story for beginning chapter book readers. Not only does the story educate young readers about the care and keeping of ferrets, it also provides many teachable moments about asking for help, making mistakes, and feeling left out. Suzannah is a well-developed character, and kids who have ever been the youngest or weakest in a group will relate well to her occasional feelings of inferiority and disappointment. Her willingness to keep trying, and to contribute even when she feels awkward also makes her a great example for kids who might lack the confidence to participate in the activities they love. The relationship between the kids and Merlin's potential new owner is also written very well, and the story ends on a very warm and pleasant note that, though predictable, does not feel contrived.
Though Cynthia Lord's novels are typically on the quiet, introspective side, this chapter book series is a bit more lively, with lots of dialogue and action to keep things moving. The back matter is also just as impressive in Merlin as it was in Jelly Bean. Readers will be thrilled to have the instructions for making the animal toys the kids make in the story, and they will also enjoy the questionnaire to help them decide whether they are ready to own a ferret. A personal author's note from Cynthia Lord is another nice touch, which connects the fictional story to real life.
Along with the Lulu books by Hilary McKay, Shelter Pet Squad is the best chapter book series available right now for animal lovers. Even library collections which already own a lot of animal stories should consider purchasing this one, as it is heads above the rest, and likely to be popular, especially among first and second graders who read well on their own.
February 6, 2016
{My Thoughts} – Suzannah is back again in this new installment to the Shelter Pet Squad Series. The animal shelter that she and her group of friends volunteer at is having an adoption even at the local mall. Since she is the youngest she is told that she will need her parent there in order for her to attend. That really hurts her feelings because she likes to think of herself as an independent girl despite are age limitations.
Suzannah learned a lot about herself in this book. She learned that it’s okay to ask for help when you don’t understand something. She learned that she may not always like the outcome of situations but in most cases they turn out in the end. She also learned what it’s like to be terrified for an animal even if the animal wasn’t her own.
Merlin is a spunky ferret. If you have ever been around a ferret or owned one will understand the struggle within the pages of this book. A ferret is not a pet to be taken lightly. They require a lot of extra work, a special diet and you more or less need to ferret proof your house. There are so many things and places a ferret can get into that aren’t considered safe for them and they need to be able to roam outside of their cage safely for exercise.
Suzannah makes it her goal to help Merlin find the perfect forever home while at the adoption event. However, the one promising person she found didn’t appear ready to have another ferret. Merlin got to go back to the shelter and wait for his turn to be adopted. Does Merlin get adopted? What happens that makes Suzannah scared for him? You’ll have to read to find out.
I recommend this book for any child that loves animals, wants a pet ferret, or is interested in helping out at the local animal shelter. This series is an amazing series and it is spot on with the things that can occur at an animal shelter. I wish our local SPCA had a shelter pet squad. I would enroll my children because it would help them to learn all sorts of things. I also like that at the end of the book the crafts that are made in the book for the pets are explained so that children can make them at home for their own pets.
Suzannah learned a lot about herself in this book. She learned that it’s okay to ask for help when you don’t understand something. She learned that she may not always like the outcome of situations but in most cases they turn out in the end. She also learned what it’s like to be terrified for an animal even if the animal wasn’t her own.
Merlin is a spunky ferret. If you have ever been around a ferret or owned one will understand the struggle within the pages of this book. A ferret is not a pet to be taken lightly. They require a lot of extra work, a special diet and you more or less need to ferret proof your house. There are so many things and places a ferret can get into that aren’t considered safe for them and they need to be able to roam outside of their cage safely for exercise.
Suzannah makes it her goal to help Merlin find the perfect forever home while at the adoption event. However, the one promising person she found didn’t appear ready to have another ferret. Merlin got to go back to the shelter and wait for his turn to be adopted. Does Merlin get adopted? What happens that makes Suzannah scared for him? You’ll have to read to find out.
I recommend this book for any child that loves animals, wants a pet ferret, or is interested in helping out at the local animal shelter. This series is an amazing series and it is spot on with the things that can occur at an animal shelter. I wish our local SPCA had a shelter pet squad. I would enroll my children because it would help them to learn all sorts of things. I also like that at the end of the book the crafts that are made in the book for the pets are explained so that children can make them at home for their own pets.
October 15, 2015
The Shelter Pet Squad is a great addition to any 2nd-4th grade classroom book collection, and now Cynthia Lord has come out with the second in the series, this one titled Merlin. The Shelter Pet Squad is a group of students who volunteer their Saturdays at an animal shelter, and the stories of the animals they meet are told through the voice of the youngest member, Suzannah, a 7 year old girl who can’t have pets of her own due to regulations at the apartment complex where she lives. Knowing her disappointment, her mother brings her every Saturday to the Maplewood Animal Shelter where they help with the animals, make toys for them, and play with them.
The newest animal at the shelter is Merlin, a ferret who has a talent for escaping and hiding. The children know little about ferrets, but discover that is a problem with many people who adopt them. People think they will be great pets, but then when they get them they realize all the difficulties that come with owning a ferret, and eventually give them up. The children become determined to not only get Merlin adopted, but to find the best home for him, by creating a quiz for potential adoptees to take beforehand. They plan to administer the test at a Make-a-Match-a-Thon being held at a local mall, where shelters in the area will gather to raise interest in their shelter pets, and hopefully get many of them adopted. All are excited about the event, but there is disappointment for Suzannah, that makes her angry, and she has to choose whether she can get over her anger, or let it keep her from missing out on the event.
I love the lessons that are taught through this book, not just about animals, but about life in itself. Although the focus is on the animals, Cynthia Lord also teaches the reader lessons about asking for help when it is needed, overcoming disappointment and anger, and recognizing positive character changes in our friends. 4★ 2nd-4th
The newest animal at the shelter is Merlin, a ferret who has a talent for escaping and hiding. The children know little about ferrets, but discover that is a problem with many people who adopt them. People think they will be great pets, but then when they get them they realize all the difficulties that come with owning a ferret, and eventually give them up. The children become determined to not only get Merlin adopted, but to find the best home for him, by creating a quiz for potential adoptees to take beforehand. They plan to administer the test at a Make-a-Match-a-Thon being held at a local mall, where shelters in the area will gather to raise interest in their shelter pets, and hopefully get many of them adopted. All are excited about the event, but there is disappointment for Suzannah, that makes her angry, and she has to choose whether she can get over her anger, or let it keep her from missing out on the event.
I love the lessons that are taught through this book, not just about animals, but about life in itself. Although the focus is on the animals, Cynthia Lord also teaches the reader lessons about asking for help when it is needed, overcoming disappointment and anger, and recognizing positive character changes in our friends. 4★ 2nd-4th
November 19, 2015
Summary: Suzannah is the youngest member of the Shelter Pet Squad, a group of children who volunteer at the local animal shelter on Saturdays. One week they met a new friend, Merlin the Ferret. Merlin was soft and cute and cuddly, but he was also a lot of hard work. It would take a very special person to adopt Merlin. The kids researched ferrets and made a quiz to give prospective ferret owners. The following weekend, there was a big Match-a-Thon at the mall to match people with new pets. Suzannah met a woman who loved ferrets, but she wasn’t ready to get a new one yet. No one else passed the test, so Merlin went back to the shelter. The kids had fun playing with him and making him cardboard buildings to crawl in and out of. Finally, Merlin found the perfect home… the same woman who met him at the mall! And Suzannah learned that it was okay to ask for help.
http://julianaleewriter.com/the-cybil...
http://julianaleewriter.com/the-cybil...
March 23, 2016
For full review please go to: 5girlsbookreviews.blogspot.com, Twitter @camartinez and Facebook "5 Girls Book Reviews"
REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 8 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This was an amazing book! I do recommend these books for younger readers though since they are shorter books.
Merlin is a funny little ferret and he makes me laugh. My favorite animal is Merlin because he likes to cuddle and play. He kind of reminds me of my dog, Rodgers. My favorite part is when Merlin gets adopted because it is so cute and I feel so happy for him that he will have his forever home.
REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 8 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This was an amazing book! I do recommend these books for younger readers though since they are shorter books.
Merlin is a funny little ferret and he makes me laugh. My favorite animal is Merlin because he likes to cuddle and play. He kind of reminds me of my dog, Rodgers. My favorite part is when Merlin gets adopted because it is so cute and I feel so happy for him that he will have his forever home.
October 2, 2015
I loved the first Shelter Pet Squad and was looking forward to this one, but I didn't care for the focus on the character's lack of reading ability rather than her helping her friends and the ferret. I cringed when reading the page about Suzannah going to the library and asking the librarian for a book "on her reading level". I do like the facts at the end about the animal (a ferret in this case) and the directions for making a toy for shelter animals. I am excited to see a cover for an upcoming book #3 already.
December 9, 2015
This was a super cute follow-up to the first book in the series, Jelly Bean! I love how this series does a great job of giving kids ideas of how to give back to their community by appealing to a topic many children like: pets and animals. I love Suzannah's personality: she's a little shy and insecure, but has great ideas and can put them in place with the help of her friends and the adults in her life. Recommended highly for transitional readers!
February 7, 2016
Love this beginning chapter book series! Perfect for children transitioning to chapter books with more text and few illustrations. Young readers will learn about ferret care, being a responsible pet owner, reading challenges that we all face(d) at some point, in addition to, reading a satisfying story about a ferret looking for the right home!
November 14, 2015
Good beginning chapter book. 2nd in the series. Kids that volunteer at the shelter and help find homes for the animals. Merlin the ferret is the featured pet in this book. Ferret facts and more nonfiction information about caring for animals, activities and more are included in the back.
January 15, 2016
The Shelter Pet Squad prepare for an adoption event, but youngest member, Suzannah can't participate due to age requirements. She finds a way to be included in the event and help get ferret, Merlin, adopted. Cute story. Will buy these for the library.
March 28, 2016
Merlin is a sneaky ferret. Owning a ferret can be hard, so the shelter pet squad make a quiz to give to people to see if they can handle a ferret.
I love this book a lot. It is super cool. You have got to read it.
I love this book a lot. It is super cool. You have got to read it.
February 25, 2016
Great Book!
April 2, 2016
Really cute, well written easy series. Targets grade 1-3. Great tips on caring for pets and why people bring pets to shelter.
April 4, 2016
For animals lovers and those who looking to fit in - ask for help.
January 3, 2021
"Even swimming upside down will get you somewhere."
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews