Manatee Blues

Vet Volunteers #4

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Brenna, Maggie, and Zoe go to Florida to visit a manatee rescue center, where they learn about these endangered marine mammals.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

UPDATE! Rebellion 1776 is out! The New York Times wrote, "Filled with immersive detail, expert delineations of complex characters, and both harsh and loving reality, Rebellion 1776 provides young readers with a true experience of a historic moment in time that resonates with today's world." Huzzah!

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author of many award-winning books including the groundbreaking, modern classic Speak, a National Book Award finalist which has sold over 3.5 million copies and been translated into 35 languages.

In 2023, Anderson was named the Laureate of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, long considered to be the de facto 'Nobel Prize for Children's Literature.'

A passionate spokesperson for the need to combat censorship, she has been honored for her battles for intellectual freedom by the National Coalition Against Censorship and the National Council of Teachers of English. She lives near Philadelphia. Go Birds!

Follow Laurie on Bluesky at @halseanderson.bsky.social, Instagram at halseanderson, and Facebook at lauriehalseanderson, or by visiting her website, madwomanintheforest.com.

Reviews

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since Brenna wrote a research paper on manatees they have been one of her favorite animals. Now, she’s going to Florida to a manatee rescue center. It’s like a dream come true. As soon as Dr. Mac, Maggie, Zoe, and Brenna reach the center, an emergency call comes in about an injured manatee. Brenna watches in fascination as Gretchen and her staff rescue and treat the manatee they call Violet. The next night during a dinner cruise, Gretchen spots a baby manatee without its mother. She dives in after it, and without thinking, Brenna does the same. She gets back to the boat safely, but Dr. Mac grounds her to dry land. Fortunately, Gretchen likes Brenna’s enthusiasm especially when Brenna confronts a famous baseball player about his reckless boating habits and secures a huge donation to the center.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Acton Academy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Laurie Anderson Halse fourth novel in the Vet Volunteers series, Manatee Blues, there are three girls named Maggie, Zoe, and Brenna who are studying manatees. Dr. Mac was Maggie and Zoe’s uncle. Their uncle decided to take them to Florida to visit the Manatee Rescue Center. When they got there, they met the owner named Gretchen. One of the first things the girls had to do when they arrived, rescued a hurt manatee! The manatee got hit by a boat! They quickly realized her name was Violet and this was not the first time they had rescued her. They brought Violet back and made sure she was okay. Through a series of events, they can save a baby manatee and do whatever it takes to reopen the center. I enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it.

Makena, Age 8.

[Isabela DeAnda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vet Volunteers: Manatee Blues was an okay book. It wasn't that the book its self was bad it's just it wasn't my type of book. But other than that you should try yourself and give it a read. The book was full of excitement and had some parts of the book that left me with watery eyes! Going for I have read other books to this series I can tell by my opinion that this one is better than others I read. The characters personality's are distinctive and interesting. I hope you give it a try!

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE manatees which is why I read this book even though it is written for older elementary kids. For its intended audience, I think this book is incredible... educational and a great plot. I felt a lot of emotions because of my fierce love for manatees. I'd recommend this book for adult manatee lovers!

[Nicole]

Pg.29 Peduncle= Narrow area between body and tail paddle. Closest thing manatee has to a rump.

Pg.30 because manatees thermoregulate they have a very different cardiovascular system than humans. You cannot rehydrate a manatee with an IV. Tubes down into their stomach are the only way when they arent strong enough to drink & eat on their own.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Great story about how a young girl learns how amazing manatees are and what everyone can do to help save them. Another Read Harder Challenge Book I probably wouldn’t have read otherwise.

[Whitney Boatright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this Series! Loved the tidbits about Manatees and learning how they are becoming extinct and how fifty million years ago they lived on land. Loved how Brenna was able to talk to Ronnie masters into saving the rescue center. I can't wait to read more in this series!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job of presenting the plight of the manatees through the eyes of a 12 year old. I loved learning more about this interesting and endangered species.

[Stephanie Bohlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Read

Very cute book about Florida Manatees. Written by an enthusiastic girl following the veternarian's lead. Violet and Key Lime are very memerable!

[Emily Riggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students collectively checked this book out of the library for me. My brand is strong.

[Viviennegloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vet Volunteers: Manatee Blues
Laurie Halse Anderson

Brenna, Maggie, and Zoe were on vacation with Maggie and Zoe's gran. She took Brenna and her grand kids to Florida, to help manatees. Gran's real name is J.J. Mackenzie, but the kids call her Dr. Mac. In the story, they go to an animal rescue center in Florida and help manatees by helping the animal rescue center with the manatees. They look after the manatees, help feed them. One day they are going on a boat to have dinner in the Gulf of Mexico and a woman from the animal rescue center dives out of the boat because there is a baby manatee who is stuck and cannot find his mother. Brenna jumps in too! She loses her sandals and Dr. Mac and the woman are worried and she ends up helping the manatee. She gets back to the boat safely.

I suggest it to anyone who like Manatees. and if you have not seen one, elephants or hamsters.

[Westcoast_girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Vet Volunteers series is a great series because it draws attention to animal rights issues and debates without hitting you over the head.

Manatee Blues is the first ever book I have read about the devastating problems facing manatees today. It teaches young readers about the problem but not it a scary or depressing way.

I recommend this book, as well as this series, to any young animal lover who wants to become more active in vouching for animal welfare and animal's rights.

[Teresa Khranovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by Laurie Halse Anderson. It's genre is adventures. It will be great to read for children from 5 or 6 years, an animal lovers may also like this book. It is about a team saving manatees that were injured by boats, stuck in nets, etc. A girl called Maggie tries to save manatees by asking people not to drive their boats into manatee zones.

[Cynthia Leto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Brenna's personality is motivating and inspiring. I like the storyline. Somewhat predictable but a great topic to focus on (manatee protection). Anderson kept my attention throughout with colorful imagery and humor.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about a young girl who goes on vacation to Florida. Along the way, she needs to save a Manatee Rescue Center, but when help comes, will there still be time?

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I would say this is a 5 star book. So if your someone that loves Manatees, and wants to see how other people save people then read this book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, but what else could you expect from LHA. Only thing I don't like is that they changed the name of the series from Wild at Heart to Vet volunteers.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

See the first book in the series for a full review.

[Katelyn 11-12 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great because it touched my heart with the manatee and the story that went along with it but at the end i could kind of predict what was going to happen.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. I love manatees so I'm kind of biased.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites in this series!

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Manatee Blues it shows Brenna's love for manatees. It also shows even though you love something you need to think before you do

[Critter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book, but a bit predictable at times.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IT all about animals and a vet volunteer saving a manatee

[Heather Landskro · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a great book, vet volunteers manatee blue. Brenna tires to help save the rescue center and does save the rescue center.!!!! I recommend this book!!!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each time I read one of these books, I think I’ve found my favorite of the series, and this one is no exception. As a FL girl, I love the manatee awareness and FL love.