Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers

by M.E. Kerr

Christmas is coming, and Marshall, a black-and-yellow king snake who likes big words and live rats, and Irving, a twelve-year-old part-German shorthaired pointer, are still accidental residents at Critters, an animal shelter in the Hamptons. Even word of Placido's umpteenth adoption doesn't cheer them up. The large, one-eyed Siamese usually "goes out" for only twenty-four hours before his new owners decide he should "come back." Still, this time might be different. Sam Twilight and his daughter, Jimmie, are former circus performers and just might be clever enough to deal with a cat who has very bad habits. As the holidays arrive, all sorts of surprises are in store for the creatures at Critters. Catherine, an aging greyhound rescued from the racetrack, is invited to Ginny Tintree's home for Christmas weekend. Goldie, a.k.a. Rex, a recently arrived yellow Lab sought by the evil dogcatcher with red gloves, escapes and is on the run again. And a heartsick Maine coon cat named Rags Randall is compelled to compose his first poem about a "Rex, this is Rags, can you hear me? / I miss not having you near me. / Run fast, Rex, run hard. / Till you come to our yard! / Rex, this is Rags, can you hear me?" With her own special brand of humor and compassion, the inimitable M. E. Kerr ex-plores a small corner of the world where the lives of humans and animals intertwine daily, often bringing new hope to all.

Genres: Animals

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

M. E. Kerr was born Marijane Meaker in Auburn, New York. Her interest in writing began with her father, who loved to read, and her mother, who loved to tell stories of neighborhood gossip. Unable to find an agent to represent her work, Meaker became her own agent, and wrote articles and books under a series of pseudonyms: Vin Packer, Ann Aldrich, Laura Winston, M.E. Kerr, and Mary James. As M.E. Kerr, Meaker has produced over twenty novels for young adults and won multiple awards, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her lifetime contribution to young adult literature.

Reviews

[Hunter Mcculloch]

In the book, "Snakes Don't Miss Their Mothers" by M.E. Kerr, it shows how a king snake sees things at a pet store. Christmas is coming for a snake named Marshall, a black-and-yellow king snake who likes big words and live rats. His friend Irving, a twelve-year-old part-German short-haired pointer, are accidental residents at Critters, an animal shelter in the Hampton's. There is a rumor in the shelter of a possible adoption of a cat named Placido. This news doesn't even cheer them up.

I like this book because it has a lot of detail and it is very interesting. Parts of the book tend to get a little boring and were very hard to keep my attention. This book is a good book but it needs to have less information about the adoption and more information about the people inside the shelter.

I would recommend this book to people that like to read and read a lot. i would also recommend this book to people that like animals. i would not recommends this book to people that don't like to read and people that don't like anomals.

[Jean Alfieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great tribute to the work of animal rescue shelters (from staff and volunteers to the Vets that provide care). The roster of critters was especially helpful. An endearing story that I couldn't put down!

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I played this book on Audible for my 7th grade students. It did not hold their attention AT ALL. It barely held mine. There are too many characters and it goes all over the place so it was too hard for them to really get in to it.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The animals at Critters animal shelter all hope to be adopted, but never as much as at Christmas. Placido, the one-eyed Siamese cat, is adopted but with his sour attitude everybody expects him back in no time. Catherine, the retired greyhound, is adopted for Christmas and hopes that the adoption will last longer. Even Marshall, the king snake, is hoping for a young boy to understand him and want to hold him.
Kerr’s book is fun because it describes what goes on in the brains of animals, and gives them stories and personalities like real people. One critique of this book is that there are many characters and they can become difficult to keep track of. Still, if kids can keep track of the characters and the many storylines, they’ll enjoy this heartwarming seasonal book. Just don’t be surprised if they suddenly want to adopt a homeless animal.

[N. Sasson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be a quick and enjoyable read. M.E. Kerr does a delightful job of bringing the reader into the world of pets (including a snake named Marshall) who are living in a shelter and waiting for a home. The characterization was distinct and insightful. I would have liked to see the story developed a little further, however, as it seemed to resolve more quickly than was justifiable. All in all, it brought a unique perspective and much needed attention to the plight of shelter animals and the all-too-easy way in which owners sometimes cast off unwanted pets.

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

no much 2 say yet but it is a good book

[Bubbles74454 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun book of animals

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the closest I'm getting to a "Christmas" book this year. ;p

[Ericka48 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book, Snakes dont miss their mothers by M.E. Kerr, is a nice book for someone who loves animals and believe that they should all live in cozy homes. I rate it 3 out of five stars.

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you adore animals and think all animal should have a home then this is the book to read.