GROOVY KITTY

San Francisco has quite a homeless population. Of animals, apparently. They live in Golden Gate Park, which is kind of the same thing as Central Park in New York. So there are wild cats and dogs, raccoons, rabbits, owls and foxes. But this story is all about how the lives of the park animals are threatened when the coyotes come to live in the park. Based on a true story, DARK'S TALE by Deborah Grabien tells the story of Dark the cat, abandoned by his owners in the park, and how the world around him begins to change all because the balance of life is thrown off by the coyotes. It's a sad story, somewhat scary in parts, and definitely for middle school kids.

THE RANCH IS SECURE WITH HANK IS ON THE SCENE

A chicken's been murdered. All clues lead him to conclude that it's the work of the coyotes but Hank, head cowdog security at the ranch, can't seem to catch those darn coyotes. Of course they are not the only ones longing for a chicken dinner, but Hank's got to be better than those wild cousins of his. One night, after another chicken's been mauled, Hank just couldn't resist anymore and gave in to his baser instincts and wakes up with a mouthful of feathers. Caught red-mouthed full of blood and feathers, and feeling unappreciated, he sets off for the canyons to live the life of a barbarian. He falls in with the pack of unsavory coyotes and must prove his courage and win the paw of the beautiful chief's daughter.

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog by John Erickson is the first book in this fun mystery adventure series set on a Texas ranch where the security team sometimes prefer naps over work .