Clover's Luck

Gr 2–4—Clover believes that she has bad luck. She keeps losing her pets and her best friend got into horse camp without her. She is dreading her summer. This changes when her latest pet, a bird, escapes after a baseball breaks a hole in her window. She follows her bird into the scary woods where no one is willing to go. Clover soon finds a sign advertising the need for animal lovers to volunteer at an agency called the M.A.A.A. She follows the directions, discovering an animal shelter that is like nothing she has ever seen. It is full of magical creatures like unicorns and dragons. Clover's summer is now far from terrible, but she must keep her job a secret. When the youngster is left in charge for several days, she must deal with a pesky princess and a wicked witch while finding magical animals a good home. This story is cleverly told and Clover is an endearing protagonist. George writes descriptively, making readers feel at home in the cottage filled with visual wonders, delicious cinnamon toast, and surrounded by a forest carpeted with feathery moss.