Corinne to the Rescue

American Girl: Corinne #2

by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

In the second book in her series, Corinne worries about how she’ll keep up Flurry’s training without snow. Luckily, she meets a dog trainer who agrees to become her mentor if she and Flurry can master some new skills. But learning them turns out to be harder than Corinne thought, thanks to interference from her sister Gwynn. Corinne thinks moving into her own room is the answer—that is, until Mom shares a huge update that will change their family forever. Suddenly, their annual camping trip becomes Corinne’s last hope for mastering new skills with Flurry. But when disaster strikes during their trip, their training day turns into a real rescue mission—and her family’s safety is at stake.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Contemporary, Audiobook, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2021

About the author

My parents, who grew up in China, had no favorite books from their childhood to share with me, which left me to my own devices in the library. When I mentioned this to a friend, she was a bit stunned, and I understood this reaction. I certainly never felt deprived as a child, but as a parent, it's hard to imagine not having that link.

My own book is about finding the stories we discover about our families and how we are changed by them. I hope my book inspires its readers to find the powerful stories, both great and small, in their own families.

Reviews

[Eva B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corinne full series review:
I really liked the Corinne books! I think they might be the first books I’ve read that took place following the pandemic, a fact relevant to the series as the anti-Asian racism that spiked in it is experienced by Corinne. I really liked the plotline in the first book where Corinne faced casual racism in Aspen and told her stepfather, who constantly would downplay it as “oh those people weren’t from here; the people HERE aren’t racist!” and how Corinne explains to him that that isn’t comforting in the way it intends to be but is instead trivializing, and he explains that he was trying to protect her but now realizing he was going about it in the wrong way. Likewise, the plotline in the second book about Corinne fearing that her stepfather will love her new baby brother more than her and her sister since they’ll be biologically related is something that I’m sure hits home for a lot of kids in families like that. I do think that the plotline of Corinne keeping Gwynn’s skating lessons a secret was way too drawn out, but the rest of the series was quite good.
Funnily enough, this is the second GOTY who lives in Colorado and is training a dog for a special purpose.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how I wish we were still in the days of the GOTYs getting three books. I'd love to see what else Corinne gets up to. As it is, her second book is a fun read for those looking for a bit of adventure. After convincing her stepfather, Arne, that they absolutely must go camping again over the summer, Corinne is looking forward to sharing her family tradition with her best friend and her new dog, Flurry. She's hoping to help Flurry learn a few new tricks to help with her goal of being a rescue dog as well as getting some good quality time with Cassidy and her family before things change.

Things don't go as planned and it's up to Corinne, Cassidy, and Flurry to save the day.

I really liked how Corinne's problem in the first book (not telling people what's bothering her) is still touched upon but that she's learned from those particular mistakes. Yes, she still holds some worry in, but not as long and it's not really the cause of the problems in this book. Character growth is fun to see in action.

While my interest in Flurry's training isn't super high, I do like the family bonds on display and the fact that Cassidy and Corinne get to actually spend time together in this book. Yay!

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action & adventure story with strong themes of friendship and family.

Corinne and Gwynn are back in book 2 which takes place just a few months after the end of the first volume. It’s nearly summer vacation time and they’re planning the annual camping trip but a potential roadblock arises - Mom is pregnant!

Mixed feelings have Corinne on edge as she wonders how relationships will change in her new family with step dad Arne. After some consideration and haggling, they do go camping but it’s not a carefree event. While on a canoeing trip, Arne is hurt and Corinne and her BF Cassidy, along with trusty rescue dog in training, Flurry, take a harrowing hike back to the campground to find help. Along the way, Flurry reaches goals to proceed to the next level of training with new mentor, Kim. It’s a story filled with activity!

Just like the first book, the kids in this story are respectful of adults and each other. Yes, there’s some jealousy but mostly it’s self talk on the part of Corinne and not bad behavior. The relationships with her sister, BF and adults in her life are good. There’s fine examples of problem solving, listening, learning to trust, try new things and being willing to adapt to change. This story doesn’t have any political issues like the first volume which I appreciated.

All things considered, exciting, well crafted and another good candidate for family reading📚

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Corinne's family goes camping. Her best friend comes along, which further develops that character and relationship, and Corinne deals with her internal struggles related to changes happening in her family. I relate to how introspective and thoughtful she is, and appreciate the positive representation this book provides for how to deal with anxious thoughts and feelings in a constructive way.

The family dynamics are wonderful, just like in the last book, and the story includes some action and adventure as well. Although I didn't enjoy this quite as much as the first book, it was also excellent, and I would recommend it to kids and adult American Girl fans.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

We get the second half of Corinne's story in Corinne to the Rescue. Corinne goes camping and comes to terms with more changes in her family, so there's a good mix of action and feelings. Still cute illustrations, though unfortunately a Harry Potter reference out of nowhere. We learn that Corinne, Mom, and Gwynn are lactose intolerant. A snake gets called "poisonous". There's a startling amount of talking about columbine flowers.

[Danielle T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less topical than the first, but a solid entry with feels of the classic Saves the Day and Changes for books. Corinne's family dynamics are changing, will the people in her life still love her the same? The answer is yes, but book does a good job showing a 10-11 year old processing what that might mean.

I also learned about Colorado's state songs and banana boats for camping- love that this has both a recipe and a craft in the back!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute adventure book. I would’ve loved these as a kid. Corinne’s a very active and adventurous character, getting into suspenseful problems, training a dog which I would’ve loved too, and dealing with real life friend and family problems. This one took place in the summer and revolved around a camping trip, another thing that I would’ve loved reading about as a kid.

[Katie Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corinne lives her whole life at saves-the-day levels of adventure and intrigue, which can strain one's suspension of disbelief. But I'm so here for hiking and camping in the rockies with an American girl! Plus it's not like she got arrested, nor did she traumatize a good friend just to win a game of capture the flag. She also knows how to avoid poison ivy. #yourmoveMcIntire

[Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good sequel! logically i knew they wouldn't kill off the main character, or likely any of her family seeing as this is a childrens book but. there were a few moments were i genuinely questioned if corrine was gonna fuckin die lmao

[Charlie - disableddaydreamer | itsbarbieparis (looking for mutuals) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Corrine’s story and the educational and interesting value it brings. It shows why a few post her didn’t land as well. I would love to add Corrine to my collection bc her stories are so nicely written and illustrated

[dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wanna be corinne when i grow up

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corinne’s adventures show her willingness to try new things and adjust bravely to the changes in her family.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both of Corinne's books have survival themes, which I wasn't expecting - she balances life-or-death scenarios while also trying to work out her emotions.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss or Netgalley

[Lucy Litten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a little underwhelming compared to Corrine’s first book. I just really liked her introduction book. I do like that it was sort of like a mystery though.

[Jessica Arend · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sister brain” being code for CANONICALLY PSYCHIC was NOT, I repeat NOT on my bingo card

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this second Corinne book, reading it with my daughter after she has read it many times was a delight. It has just the right amount of adventure and peril for a YA. Good messages, lots of good conversation while reading.