Evie and Rhino by Neridah McMullin

What worked:

This is a story of heart and love. Evie lost her parents two years ago and hasn’t spoken since that time. Rhino was on his way to an Australian zoo when he became stranded alone and dying on the beach. Each can sense the pain and suffering in the other, as they form an immediate bond. Evie cares for Rhino’s physical and emotional needs, and Rhino becomes a loyal friend. That’s why Evie’s grandfather dreads the heartache Evie will suffer when the zoo inevitably shows up to retrieve their rhinoceros.

Present-tense verbs help to create the feeling of a traditional children’s story. It’s set in the summer of 1891 along the shore of southern Australia. Evie lives alone with her grandfather, although a housekeeper and farmhand are present too. Evie’s innocence is displayed when she tells her grandfather that she’s found a Triceratops dinosaur on the beach. Her two dogs frolic along on her adventures, while a mother hen watches Rhino during his recuperation from his injuries. It’s clear Evie’s home and surroundings are full of love, support, and compassion. Select pages reflect Rhino’s thoughts and feelings as he tries to return Evie’s kindness and encouragement.

It's interesting to note that a ship containing exotic animals actually crashed along the same Australian beach in July of 1801. The drama in the book develops when Grandpa contacts the Melbourne Zoo about finding the missing rhinoceros. This communication starts a countdown to the plot’s climax when zoo representatives will arrive to take Rhino away. Grandpa has a past relationship with the zoo’s owner, and it’s for an unknown reason that was contentious. Readers will wonder about this connection with the zoo owner, which adds a layer of tension to the growing conflict. The son of the zoo owner shows up to take Rhino, but his presence creates an unexpected twist.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot moves slowly and highlights the characters’ emotions, which may not appeal to all middle-grade readers. Evie’s grief over her parents’ deaths isn’t developed, and readers may wonder about Evie’s sudden recovery from mutism. Also, the minor characters could have used more attention.

The final verdict:

This is an emotional story of a young girl dealing with grief and finding solace and comfort in a rhinoceros. It will touch the heartstrings of middle-grade readers, and I recommend you give it a shot.