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Review: The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan

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The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan
By Jasmine Warga
New York: Balzer + Bray, 2026. Fiction. 229 pages.

In The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan, Chase, a cheetah born in captivity at the zoo, and Finnegan, a rescue dog, have been paired together as playmates and training partners. They help each other through different struggles and learn the importance of trust and love. According to the author's note at the end of the book, this story was based on the real practice of pairing young cheetahs in captivity with dogs, as they work and play together well, encouraging each other in many different ways. 

This was a cute and heartwarming book! Animal lovers will enjoy the interesting information provided about cheetahs and dogs, including facts about real life cheetah conservation efforts. On top of interesting facts, the dynamic between Chase and Finnegan is relatable and real, exploring themes of friendship and learning to open up and trust those closest to us. These lessons will certainly strike a chord with young readers.
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