Book details
Scar Tail the Platypus
Description
Scar Tail the PlatypusPlatypuses were hunted to extinction in South Australia about a hundred years ago. When a platypus escapes from the sanctuary he's attempting something very dangerous with the odds stacked against him.Scar Tail is a male Platypus compelled to seek new territory and leaves the predator proof fences of the sanctuary he was born in and tries to survive in the River Onkaparinga where Platypuses have been extinct for a hundred years.Peter is an autistic boy who has trouble relating to most people, but loves wild places and wild animals. Peter and his only friend, Andrew, save Scar Tail from two Foxes, and observe the recolonization of the valley by wild Platypuses over the next 15 years.Just as Peter helps Platypuses when he can, the Platypuses provide Peter with the stimulus he needs to fulfill his potential.A story with accurate, carefully researched facts about Platypuses and other animals.This is a book about Platypuses and other animals. The animals act like animals, not like people or toys. This is a fictional account of the recolonization of the Onkaparinga Valley in South Australia by Platypuses; a process that has already started in reality. This story was intended for older children and young adults, but I hope adults will also enjoy it and learn a bit about a very unusual animal.
Age
7-18
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
76 pages
Why to read
- Engaging Storyline: The book offers an engaging and unique storyline that captures the reader's imagination and keeps them hooked from the beginning to the end.
- Educational Value: Reading about Scar Tail the Platypus provides educational insights into the life and habitat of platypuses, an unusual and fascinating species native to Australia.
- Character Development: The characters in the book, especially Scar Tail, are well-developed and relatable, allowing readers to form a connection and learn valuable life lessons through their journey.
- Creative Writing: Steve Challis's creative writing style brings the world of Scar Tail to life with vivid descriptions and a narrative that appeals to both young and adult readers.