Odder product reviews

I am VERY wary of Katherine Applegate and her books, I loved a few series of hers that were released when I was a tween/teen and to this day, I am still very unhappy with the way in which she finished these series... So, as a result, I haven't read any of her more recent books. However, a very quiet morning at work and a VERY cute front cover, led to me deciding to give Odder a chance.

Odder is written in a flowing free verse, which isn't a style I usually read but given the swimming nature of otters, this feels rather fitting. The book is split up into three main parts, followed by a very short epilogue and some handy information at the back. The first part follows Odder as she is now, leading up to her shark encounter. Part two takes us back three years, when she was first in the local aquarium and being cared for. We then jump back to her present and the aftermath of the shark attack. The story itself is sweet, it doesn't hide away from some of the sad realities but it feels like you brush past it, rather than full confrontation.

At the back, there is some information on each of the real life otters than inspired Odder and her story. I liked this inclusion, if something says it is based on real life, I often like to see just what made it through, and it is always interesting to see how these institutions change and grow in order to best suit the animals. This was a sweet little book and whilst I won't be reading it again, it will be an easy recommend when it comes into the store. Perfect for readers who want a story about an otter, with a good opportunity to learn about otters and what goes into rehabilitating them and (hopefully) returning them to the wild.