Evolution Revolution: Simple Machines

When construction machines threaten his woodland home, an inquisitive squirrel named Jack rallies his fellow animals to defend their land. Having learned about the concept of wheels from an ailing human boy named Collin (who also gave Jack his name), the squirrel concocts a plan to trap the vehicles by blocking their wheels with logs and boulders, as well as gnawing through wires; when this fails, the animals adopt more aggressive tactics. The writing can be overloaded with adverbs and adjectives (“ ‘Enough!!!’ screeched Owl piercingly, flapping her strong wings”), but readers will enjoy the banter among the animals, as well as the way Jack develops into a leader as he wrangles uncooperative animals into going along with his plan. Daniels’s elegant b&w spot illustrations appear throughout, adding to the story’s appeal. A sequel, Simple Plans, is also available. Ages 7–10. (BookLife)