Duke's Den

Gr 4–6—Eleven-year-old Amelia is struggling to adjust to a new Vancouver neighborhood in the aftermath of her parents' separation. All of her new neighbors seem unfriendly, snobby, and even scary. Her father is starting fresh with a new family, while her newly single mother, Diane, is trying to make ends meet by renting out their dark, low-ceilinged apartment in the basement. Amelia feels relieved when Duke and Gabriella rent the apartment, as they seem friendly and fun. However, Amelia quickly discovers that the new tenants were not forthcoming about their myriad animal companions. Now, she must keep them from getting evicted—by her own mother! Animal lovers will appreciate the descriptions and personalities of Amelia's new animal friends, which include reptiles of all shapes and sizes, a bird who lost his feathers, and even some hammock-loving ferrets. The story is not without flaws; Amelia's conflicted feelings and confusing relationship with her semiestranged father are not fully explored. A side plot involving Queen Elizabeth II detracts from the authenticity of the story and could have been omitted. Readers will nonetheless enjoy Amelia's journey to a predictable but satisfying conclusion and cheer her realization that first impressions don't need to be final ones.