Rabbit Race is part of the Animal Ark series which is a huge hit among third grade animal lovers. And since there are about a trillion of them, the trick is usually getting students to branch out to other animal books, not figuring out how to get them to keep reading the series.
In this one, Mandy and her buddy James befriend a new boy in town. Jack is younger than they are, but he needs friends. In addition to the usual difficulties of moving, he’s missing his dog Fred, who died recently. Mandy feels certain that if Jack can just care for a new pet that he’ll be well on his way to cheering up. She concocts a plan to have him adopt a rabbit, just as the school is planning an animal themed school picnic. With baby bunnies and go-cart races things are bound to look up for Jack soon!
Sex, Nudity, Dating – A rabbit is pregnant. There is some information about the habits of pregnant rabbits. The rabbit “strained to give birth” as the kids watched.
Profanity – “hate,”
Death, Violence and Gore – A boy’s dog has died.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – A rabbit is in a runaway go-cart which is headed for a little girl.
