This was a fun look at what urban scientists can discover about our closest animal neighbors. Given that the author is in the North and I live in the Southwest, it was a bit removed from what we experience everyday in the Sonoran Desert. Still, the lessons learned from this book can be applied by families to observe their wild neighbors and see how they co-exist with humans.

There's a lot of information here... a little big too much, to be honest. It's a great book, for sure, and a wonderful educational reference -- but the text is too heavy at times, and it lacks some much needed levity. Older children might be able to use this, but I doubt they'll read it for pleasure. And younger children might struggle to understand or focus on the information provided. This book has a lot of great things going for it, but ultimately the execution is off.

I wanted to love this book. While I appreciate the content, it is too text heavy for what I want in a nonfiction book for elementary students.

Loved the mix of urban ecology and social justice, and also thought the suggested activities at the end of each section were a good addition.

The layout of the book was also really good for younger readers. I’m excited to see it with final illustrations. This would be a great addition to an elementary school library or classroom.

Narrative nonfiction, multiple scientists studying a variety of animals in urban environments. There is a lot of well researched information and personal experience, but this book is a lost opportunity, lacking as it does adequate illustrations to bring the animals into view for readers. Photographs would have made this engaging and accessible, but there are only a few charcoal sketches and some animal silhouettes. And the first narrator, who studies bats, puts them under her clothing to warm them. No mention of rabies as a possibility in the wild bat population. Although this is quite well intentioned and a worthwhile subject, the dated format of pages of text with just a few sidebars is not up to par in current nonfiction for kids and teens. A disappointing treatment of an interesting topic.