The Mysterious Abductions (Nocturnals #1)

by Tracey Hecht (Author) Kate Liebman (Illustrator)

The Mysterious Abductions (Nocturnals #1)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Nocturnals

In the critically acclaimed middle grade chapter book series The Nocturnals, we meet three unlikely friends--Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin, and Bismark, a pint-sized sugar glider. Discover the friendships, teamwork, and humor as the Nocturnal Brigade solves the unpredictable mysteries of the night. 

In the first book, The Mysterious Abductions, animals are disappearing without a trace--and it's up to Dawn, Tobin and Bismark to find out why. With the help of a gentle wombat, a jittery jerboa, a band of coyotes, and some kooky bats, the Nocturnal Brigade journeys to the depths of the earth where they find themselves in a wacky, high stakes game that will determine all of their survival! The adventure continues in The Ominous Eye, the second book of The Nocturnals series by Tracey Hecht. Dawn, Tobin, and Bismark investigate a sudden jolt in the earth and meet an unfamiliar reptile, a tuatara, who claims a beast is at hand. But can the tuatara be trusted?

The Nocturnals band together with an array of forest animals to uncover the truth!

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School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Strange occurrences are happening in the Valley. Each night, a different animal vanishes. First it was kiwis and jerboas; now wombats and even coyotes are disappearing. Three unlikely animals form the Nocturnals, a brigade determined to track down the source of the "nappings." Dawn the fox, Tobin the pangolin, and Bismark the sugar glider use their evolutionary advantages and natural pluck to muster their fellow nocturnal animals together and confront the threat. The discovery of hieroglyphics depicting all the missing animals reveals that the abductions are more widespread than originally thought. Specific animals are being targeted, but why and to what end? When one of the Nocturnals gets snatched, the team must descend into a cave to free their friend. In this anthropomorphized animal mystery, readers are taken on a journey with Australia's mammals. Each chapter opens with a color illustration. These delightful pictures help to ground a North American audience in a foreign environment. The banter of the pompous and loquacious sugar glider provides laughs; unfortunately, the other characters are underdeveloped. Instead of establishing traditional mystery elements like discovering clues or encountering red herrings, the story focuses on displaying the natural defenses of each animal. Since there is no opportunity to speculate or make predictions, the suspense never builds. VERDICT A pass for all but the most dedicated lovers of Australian animals.--Jocelyn Charpentier, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Kids' Indie Next List Pick!

"Featuring spirited animal characters who deal with real-life scenarios in a relatable way...the books celebrate the very meaningful idea of friendship and what it means to forge positive relationships."—Amy Poehler's Smart Girls

"The series addresses bullying and empathy in an easy, accessible way, and the books are meant to be read aloud."—New York Post

"With numerous sequels already in the pipeline, Tracey Hecht's whimsical animal adventure is poised to deliver a raft of silliness, sweetness, and positive messages for years to come."—Common Sense Media

"A delightful adventure about the power of uncommon traits and the joys of newfound friendship."—Kirkus Reviews

"The characters are humorous and well developed, and the fast-moving plot features intrigue, unexpected twists, and the innovative hybrid hockey game. Accessible to upper elementary while sufficiently sophisticated for middle school, this new animal fantasy series should prove popular."—Booklist

Tracey Hecht

Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur. The American Booksellers Association chose the first book in her critically acclaimed middle grade series, The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions, as a Kids' Indie Next List pick. In addition, her Grow & Read early reader book, The Chestnut Challenge, was given a Mom's Choice Gold Award. In partnership with the New York Public Library, Tracey created a Read Aloud Writing Program that she has since conducted--both in person and virtually--in over 150 schools, libraries, and bookstores across the country. Other books in the Nocturnals Grow & Read early reader collection include The Tasty Treat, The Moonlight Meeting, The Peculiar Possum, The Slithery Shakedown, The Kooky Kinkajou, The Best Burp and The Weeping Wombat. Tracey currently splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine, with her husband and four children.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781944020026
Lexile Measure
530
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Fabled Films Press
Publication date
April 17, 2016
Series
Nocturnals
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV002360 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Nocturnal
Library of Congress categories
Humorous stories
Adventure and adventurers
Adventure stories
Mystery and detective stories
Nocturnal animals

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