Mogo, the Third Warthog - Hardcover

Donna Jo Napoli teaches linguistics at Swarthmore College and is the author of several novels for middle graders and young adults, includingZel, anAmerican BooksellerPick of the Lists, aPublishers WeeklyBest Book, aBulletinBlue Ribbon Book, and aSchool Library JournalBest Book;Song of the Magdalene, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and anAmerican BooksellerPick of the Lists;The Magic Circle,an ALA Best Book for Young Readers; andThe Prince of the Pond: Otherwise Known as De Fawg Pin.

Lita Judge grew up with grandparents who kept owls and hawks ni the house as part of their research. Her parents were wildlife photographers. She now lives in Peterborough, New Hampshire, with her husband and two cats.

Grade 3–6—When warthogs have their third litter, the sows cast out their first litter. That's how Mogo, the runt of his litter, finds himself on his own. Using what he has learned from his mother, from his older brothers' missteps, and from a helpful baboon who is also alone, he carves out a life as he matures and finds a potential mate. While the author builds on a strong natural-history base, she also explores her characters' emotions, hopes, and fears. This tempers the potentially frightening wild world of the African savanna's hungry cheetahs, wild dogs, and lions, who hunt to ensure their own survival in a harsh environment. The book's high read-aloud potential stems from Mogo's appeal as an unlikely hero who thrives when he finds friendship and loving companions. Realistic black and gray-tone watercolor illustrations that range in size from small vignettes to full page grace every chapter, introduce unfamiliar animals, and interpret the action.—Ellen G. Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, OR
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