I was recently given a review copy by the publisher of Swamped by Andrea Hertach. It tells the story of young Marley Aaron who, along with local wildlife, campaigns to save a swamp along with its delicate ecosystem from destruction by urban developers. Like The Monster Mob, which I reviewed recently, Swamped is very much aimed at a younger readership, probably around the 8-11 year range.
What I liked
Concept. Swamped is clearly intended to increase environmental awareness in young people and it does that very well. It explains about the delicate ecosystem in the swamp and the damage that humans could do. I’m not certain though that the developer and mayor would be as sympathetic to Marley’s concerns in real life as they are in the book!
Entertaining style. I enjoyed that interaction amongst the local creature inhabitants of the swamp and also their working together with Marley and her pet dogs.
What I didn’t like
As with The Monster Mob, it is clearly aimed at a younger audience and more mature readers may find it rather simplistic and too easily tied off.
All in all I think Swamped sets out what it intends to – increase environmental awareness – and I gave it three stars out of five.
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