The Unicorn Rescue Society -Book 1 Parent Review with Discussion Questions-

The Creature of the Pines, The Unicorn Rescue Society Book 1 Review and Discussion Questions written by the Hobbit on 4/17/20

Know before you read:
Book: The The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Creature of the Pines
Illustrator: Hatem Aly
Pages: 167
Published: 2018
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Book (Penguin Young Readers)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Age Suggestion: 7+
Trigger Warnings: Mild scares/suspense

Brief Summary:

It’s Elliot’s first day at a new school. What’s even worse is that he is going on a field trip to a creepy forest with a very eccentric teacher! Will Elliot make any friends? Will they survive meeting whatever creature is in the creepy forest?.

Why your kid should read this book: – It gives you a lot of good principals in a fun, easy to read format. And it has lots of puns, which we love. Bravery, kindness, friendship – these are all emphasized well.

Awards:
-A 2019 E.B. White Read-Aloud Award (Middle Reader) Finalist!
-A Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year

The Creature of the Pines Review *SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT*

Elliot is starting in a new school. On his first day he goes on a field trip to a weird forest with Professor Fauna, who is, to say the least, eccentric (his office is rumored to be a torture chamber deep under the school). On the way he becomes friends with Uchenna. Once in the Pine Barrens, they wonder off, and encounter a strange and mysterious creature. It happens that this creature  (which looks like a tiny blue deer with wings, claws, and sharp teeth) likes to eat almond bars much more than eating children, and he manages to sneak onto the school bus (He can sometimes become invisible). 

After some adventures, the two children and Jersey actually go to Professors Fauna’s office – which is indeed deep under the school, but is not a torture chamber. It does hold a secret – Professor Fauna heads the Unicorn Rescue Society, a group whose mission is to save creatures that most people think are mythical.

The children (and Jersey) are asked to join, and accept. It is now on to the next adventure!

Discussion questions:

1. When you started a new school or a new grade, how did you feel? Did you have some of the same emotions that Elliot has?
2. What makes Elliot a good friend?
3. What makes Uchenna a good friend?
4. Are Elliot and Uchenna alike or different? How are they different?
5. Think about what Professor Fauna says about the being a part of the Unicorn Rescue Society. Do you think that Professor Fauna would want  invite you to be a member? Would you say yes or no? Why?

Favorite quote:

Professor Fauna, in speaking not only to the children but all readers of the book, asks:

“We are in…need of help. Help from someone brave and kind and curious, and brave (Yes, I said ‘brave’ twice. It ‘s important.) Will you help us?….Will you join the Unicorn Rescue Society?”

What to Check Out Next:

There is a website for the series (http://www.unicornrescuesociety.com/). If you enjoy this book and review but are looking for a book for an older reader you might want to look at our review of another book by Adam Gidwitz, The Inquisitor’s Tale.

Down The Hobbit Hole Blog and this Creatures of the Pines Review uses affiliate links, we only link products we think you’ll like and you are never charged extra for them. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. We also use cookies to gather analytics and present advertisements. This allows us to keep writing discussion questions and telling ridiculous dad jokes. Find our other reviews with discussion questions here. Our posts about faith here. And our posts about family stuff here.