Rosco the Rascal In the Land of Snow (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780692060032)

Rosco the rascally German shepherd has never seen snow before. Now he'll get the chance to romp around in a snow-covered world high in the mountains. But trouble seems to find Rosco wherever he goes. Will his curious nature spoil the weekend for James and Mandy, or will it save the day?

This second adventure in the Rosco the Rascal series will keep readers guessing from the start. Fifth grader James and his second grade sister, Mandy, are building snowmen and sled riding down steep hills, enjoying the fresh powder created by an overnight blizzard on their wintry family vacation. Amidst the fun, they don't realize that a coyote pup, lost and frightened, has been poking around their cabin in the snow, although they've uncovered perplexing clues. It's Rosco, with his powerful canine senses, who discovers the identity of the wild creature first, but he can't communicate it to his human pals, so he sets out on his own to make things right.

When the kids finally unravel the mystery, it's almost too late to rescue the poor creature, which has become caught in a hunter's trap. It's up to brother and sister to use their wits in a sticky situation, yet trust their rascal-turned-hero dog to help. But will they be able to free the pup and still make it out alive, themselves?

This action-packed story works well as a winter read-aloud for educators and parents, alike, with many teachable moments that lend themselves to discussion. Black and white interior illustrations add interest for even the youngest of readers. Realistic characters and detailed descriptions put the reader squarely in the center of the book's mountain top setting, and take the reader on a lively, contemporary, heart-pounding journey.

All books in the series are standalone and can be read in any order. Fans of The Magic Tree House series will love this brother and sister pair, and fans of classic, heroic dogs - from Lassie to Beethoven - will love Rosco.

*Recommended for children ages 6-10

*Grade level K-5th