The Legend of Thunderfoot
Grade 3-6–The old story of an outcast who triumphs over adversity gets a desert wildlife reworking here, and the result is a thoroughly engaging tale. The young roadrunner had everything going for him. He was going to earn his new name and become a full-fledged adult. However, when he is bitten on the feet by a baby rattlesnake, he has reason to believe that his life is essentially over. He does survive, though, and his parents name him Thunderfoot for his permanently gigantic feet, and he feels like a freak of nature. Fortunately, he is soon galvanized into action by a clever gopher tortoise, causing him to prove himself not just to the other roadrunners, but to the world as well. Thunderfoot begins as a cocky young ne'er-do-well, maturing believably into a worldly bird. It's a relief to read a book in the animal point-of-view style that offers engaging dialogue, action, and plot without relying on old tropes. This chapter book would make a good introductory title for those kids who might also enjoy Erin Hunter's Warriors series (HarperCollins) or Kenneth Oppel'sSilverwing(S & S, 1997).–Elizabeth Bird, New York Public LibraryCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.