The Somewhat True Adventures of Sammy Shine

Sammy never asked to be a pilot, but when his human, Hank’s, brother puts him in a plane, off he goes. Unfortunately, the plane’s remote gets broken, and Sammy’s plane goes far, far away, all the way into the woods. In unfamiliar territory, Sammy will have to find a way to get back home with the help of a few new friends.

What I Loved:

The premise of Sammy’s story is adventurous and fun, and Sammy is an easy mouse to root for. He is a quiet leader who just wants to get home, and he has a knack for making interesting friends. The sensory details are wonderful, giving a unique view of the woods from a mouse’s perspective. The cast of characters Sammy befriends (and sometimes makes enemies of) along the way are each distinctive and add their own spunk to the story, especially when it comes to the friendly banter.

What Left Me Wanting More:

While there is a nice variety of animals featured, the decent-sized character list includes only a couple of females. The skewed ratio is noticeable and a bit disappointing. However, the two significant female characters, Phoebe and Grace, are written well, and both have great confidence.

While the dialogue has several hilarious moments, it sometimes has a tendency to feel cliché. The illustrations are a little bland, though the mice designs are adorable. The adventure still easily allows readers to get absorbed, and reluctant readers will enjoy the fast pace.

Final Verdict:

THE SOMEWHAT TRUE ADVENTURES OF SAMMY SHINE is a fun, action packed novel ideal for reluctant readers looking for an animal adventure.