The Menagerie by Tui and Kari Sutherland ✮✭✭✭✭

Webster's Dictionary defines a menagerie as "a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition." That definition fits this story, although this menagerie is situated in Xanadu, Wyoming, and the wild or foreign animals consist of unicorns, griffins and phoenixes ( or is it phoenixi?) among other mythical creatures. All is well at this relatively peaceful science station until six griffin cubs mysteriously escape the confines of the menagerie. One of them ends up under Logan Wilde's bed. Logan is the name of the boy who has recently moved to Xanadu with his father. Squorp is the name of the cute griffin baby. For some unknown reason, Logan is able to understand and communicate with the cute and hungry cub. His way with the animals enables him to help his friend Zoe, whose family is the keeper of the menagerie, return the griffin cubs back to their mother.

Returning the cubs is a key plot point because the government agency in charge of menageries is about to stop by and if they find anything amiss, the menagerie will be shut down. You or your grade 4-up reader will laugh out loud at the characterizations and dialog of the cute cubs, standoffish unicorns, and haughty phoenix, among others. The book ends with a satisfying cliffhanger that will ensure the reader will be back for book 2! If you know a reader who is a fan of The Familiars or Wings of Fire series, they are sure to enjoy following this adventurous set of stories.