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Life according to Og the Frog

Life According to Og the Frog
Written by Betty G. Birney
G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2018. Fiction, 150 p.

Birney follows her Humphrey the Hamster series with a new classroom pet, Og the Frog. This story is told from his point of view. Og comes to Mrs. Brisbane's classroom and the tank is put right next to Humphrey's. Og misses the swamp he grew up in, but enjoys figuring out how to do his job of being a good classroom pet. He likes getting to know the students and listening to the class discussions.

It is discovered that Og was taken from the swamp he grew up in, not purchased from a pet store. Some students are upset and a discussion starts. Should Og stay as a classroom pet or be returned to his swamp? Mrs. Brisbane enlists the help of a local expert, Dr. Okeke, who says there is a place that would be perfect for Og called Piney Woods where he would be taken care of and given a good home. Will the children debate and vote to keep Og or send him away to a place that can replace his home environment?

This is a great chapter book for readers who are ready to bridge from intermediate beginning chapter books to juvenile fiction. It is a simple story with a little action, but perfect developmentally for a young reader.

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