The Dead Sea Squirrels are out again—this time for field day!
THE PREMISE
If you’re not familiar with the Dead Sea Squirrels, this chapter book series is written by Mike Nawrocki, the co-creator of Veggie Tales. Field Day Frenzy is book 14 in the series featuring a fifth-grade boy, Michael, who finds squirrel carcasses in a cave near the Dead Sea on an archeology trip with his dad and best friend. He “squirrels” the squirrels into his backpack for the trip home and once he’s back, discovers they weren’t so dead after all.
Not only are they alive, but they talk and happen to have been around when Jesus was on the earth. Their unique traits, combined with Michael’s headstrong personality, get them into interesting predicaments, with suspicious people trying to capture them and prove their existence. In Field Day Frenzy, the squirrels are headed with Michael and his family to their school’s field day, where Michael wants to win, win, win! but he’s finding teamwork a little elusive. Meanwhile, the squirrels are trying to evade a second-grade reporter, while also checking in on the festivities—without getting caught as anything more than regular squirrels. Yet, they are NOT regular squirrels, and they’ll need to work together to get Michael to see the truth about his game plan all while staying clear of the camera, which doesn’t exactly happen.
THE PROMISE
As you might expect from this talented and witty author, antics run high and humor reigns on the page. Michael’s best friends, Justin and Sadie, try to help the 5th grade class win, but as class captain, Michael isn’t quite listening. Sadie brings ideas to challenge Michael’s focus—and give them a chance at success—as the squirrels also chime in with truth. The language throughout this book, as well as the previous ones, will capture the attention of elementary students looking for a fun story, while also giving them nuggets of Biblical wisdom casually deposited throughout. Readers will keep turning the page to find out what happens with the squirrels, the accidental video recording they end up being in, and the outcome for Michael’s team as they try to beat the 4th graders. Plus, kids won’t want to miss want happens with Michael’s sister’s cat, the face paintings his mom does (think squirrels galore!), and the ridiculous school mascot costume his dad doesn’t want to wear but does.
THE TAKEAWAY
Field Day Frenzy is perfect for early and transitional readers—kids starting to read books on their own. Parents, caregivers, and teachers can be confident in the book’s content that the story is both entertaining as well as encouraging with faith-based references and themes. AND let’s be real—adults will love this book too. (In fact, one particular adult may or may not have ordered the first 6 books when they came out even though my—err, her— kids are now young adults…) If your kids are young, this book makes an excellent read aloud—and since it’s a chapter book, the kids in your life could read it to you! The previous books are too fun to skip over, but don’t worry, you can also pick up this book on its own and jump right into the story. Each book has a recap and a character introduction, so you won’t miss a thing. Friends, Field Day Frenzy just came out October 6th. When you grab your copy, don’t “squirrel” it away—be sure to share it with a friend!
Marci Whitehurst is a former educator, theater and speech coach, a children’s author, rancher’s wife, and mother of three who lives on a cattle ranch in Montana. Her passion is sharing God’s light and life through stories, poems, and blog posts. She can be reached through her website at www.marciwhitehurst.com. Find her on Facebook and X at MarciWhitehurst and on Instagram marci_whitehurst. To join her monthly encouragement email list and download her free e-book, BLESSINGS FOR BUSY WOMEN, Encouragement to Breathe in While You’re Pouring Out, please visit https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5dq2kj5kw0.