Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Reading Time
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Highly Recommended
      • CBCA Short Listed
      • Early Childhood Books
      • Younger Readers
      • Intermediate Readers
      • Older Readers
      • ANZAC books
      • Great Read Alouds
      • Information Books
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Picture Books
      • Professional Development
    • Interviews
    • Suggestions
    • News
    • Meet The Review Team
    • Contact Us
    Reading Time
    You are at:Home»Reviews»Younger Readers»The Spectacular Spencer Gray

    The Spectacular Spencer Gray

    0
    By Admin on August 22, 2017 Younger Readers

    Deb Fitzpatrick,  The Spectacular Spencer Gray,  Fremantle Press, 3 July 2017,  168pp., $14.99 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925164671

    Spencer Gray is an ordinary Australian boy who lives in the suburb of Skippers Cove with his sister and parents. He likes soccer, competes in cross-country events and gets around by riding his bike. In this story Spencer notices a man in the nearby bush whilst playing soccer with mates and, curious, he goes to explore the spot once the man has left. This sets off a series of events that ultimately place him in a great deal of danger, because Spencer unwittingly uncovers an international smuggling ring for endangered Australian mammals.

    Written with an informal tone, this is an easy read with a relatable central character. Spencer doesn’t always make the best decisions, but his choices are realistic for a boy his age who doesn’t really understand what is going on, and is motivated by a desire to do the right thing. When he finds an injured potaroo in a trap he takes it home and keeps it in a box under his bed for several days, before releasing it back into the wild and inadvertently bringing himself to the smugglers’ attention. When this leads to his own capture his friends realise that they can’t keep silent about what they know, even if it means they will be punished for keeping secrets – a brave choice.

    The book offers a great way to learn about endangered species and the risks they face, as well as the actions that are being taken to protect them. Spencer’s actions are recognised by the South Western Australian Marsupial Squad with an award. There is a photo of a potaroo at the end of the book too.

    This is the sequel to another book, The Amazing Spencer Gray. Given Spencer’s propensity for nail-biting adventure, there may well be more books in the series.

    Teaching Notes are available on the Fremantle Press website.

    Reviewed by Rachel Le Rossignol

    Related Posts

    Specky Magee

    Dear Greta

    Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables Join Forces

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    • Themes
    • Curriculum
    Action adventure Airplanes Alphabet Anxiety autism Bullying CBCA Awards Coming of age Dystopian emotions family fantasy friendship grief Historical humour magic Mystery Post apocalyptic Readers Cup reluctant readers school Sci-Fi series of books siblings Sport Starting school Teacher Notes
    ANZAC Australian animals Australian history Biography Culture & Diversity Disabilities First Nations Geography health Humanities mental health Poetry Reconciliation resilience Science STEM Stolen Generation sustainability Wordless books



    Recent Comments
    • Cherie on Elephant Island
    • Patricia Tilton on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Jilanne Hoffmann on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Penelope Pratley on The Secret of Sapling Green
    • Emily Flint on Walk of the Whales
    Recent Posts
    • A Human for Kingsley
    • Dirt Circus League
    • Dark Rise
    • Bear and Rat
    • Grumble Boats
    Recent Comments
    • Cherie on Elephant Island
    • Patricia Tilton on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Jilanne Hoffmann on Freddy the Not-Teddy
    • Penelope Pratley on The Secret of Sapling Green
    • Emily Flint on Walk of the Whales
    © Copyright 2021 The Children’s Book Council of Australia - All rights reserved

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Posting....