Kindle Edition Amazon Category:  Children Publisher: Lulu ISBN-10:  1326017292 Type: Fiction Pages: 129 Copyright: September 14, 2014 ISBN-13: 9781326017293 Price: $2.99 (eBook) The red squirrel fights for survival when the grey squirrels try to take over. Rowan the red squirrel has to not only save his family from attack by the grey squirrels, but save his friend, too. Trouble is, she is a grey squirrel. This is an adventure where Nuthead the rabbit and the Owl help the red squirrels to finally live in peace. This is a story that deals with issues about bullying, racism, and the importance of teamwork. Excerpt The barn towered above them. It was dark, mysterious and frightening. They peered inside cautiously. Strange shadows moved silently. An old wooden door creaked backwards and forwards in the wind. The smell of the place was frightening too. Damp, musty. It was all so unfamiliar. They had never been inside a building before, and begged the Owl to let them climb a tree. The Owl shook his head quickly. 'No good. There are no dreys here. If it rains you'll get sick and I can't risk that. Just go inside that opening there and snuggle into the hay. It will be quite safe. I'll be back soon and I'll keep watch.' They pushed and shoved Fern into the massive structure and almost buried themselves in the soft, warm hay. Rowan wrinkled his nose and sniffed, sneezing and snorting. 'It smells nice,' he laughed. Juniper nibbled a few wisps and declared it to be very good. 'We'll be alright here,' smiled Chestnut, 'but please hurry back to keep watch.' 'Will do,' called the Owl as he moved away, 'but keep an eye open until I get back. Any strange noises, hide in the hay.' They watched as the Owl flew off, then bounced on the pile of hay, happily chewing berries and sucking in the thin strands of sweet dried grasses. Fern had to be encouraged to eat, but soon all were full and relaxed. It was not long before they were all fast asleep. No-one remembered to keep watch. In the corner of the barn sat two black rats. They had been silently watching the antics of the young squirrels for some time. They whispered hoarsely to each other, nodded, and then one of them crept towards the sleeping Fern who was laying near the edge of the hay. Closer and closer he crept. Silently, like a shadow. He noted her breathing. Regular, shallow. She was fast asleep. An easy prey. He could smell her fur now. She would make a tasty meal. He began to drool. He was so close he could feel the warmth of her body. He positioned himself ready to pounce. Suddenly there was a screech. All the squirrels woke up at the same time, completely startled by the noise. They watched in amazement as the Owl swooped by Fern and grabbed something long and black. 'It looks like a rat!' whispered Chestnut. Fern began to cry as the Owl carried his prisoner away and out into the night. They heard the rat howling. Back in the corner the other rat, who had been watching, crept furtively away. When the Owl returned he told the squirrels he was disgusted to see them fast asleep with no-one on watch. They looked so sorrowful and frightened, he decided not to be too hard on them. 'What...what happened to it?' asked Juniper. The Owl stretched his wings, adjusted a few feathers, and shrugged. 'Let's just say he won't be back,' he said.

A very sweet story
This is a very sweet story about a young red squirrel named Rowan who grows up in a place called Tolls Hill. While growing up he learns that there are dangers in life and he is discovering the world around him.
Like in real life, the grey squirrels have taken over many of the places where red squirrels use to live and in Jane Finch's book the red squirrels are afraid that the grey squirrels will invade their territory. Rowan makes friends with a grey Squirrel called Fern and keeps this a secret from his family. I thought this was so sweet and I had to look up why grey and red squirrels can't live together after reading this book. it's unfortunately due to a pox virus that the grey squirrels carry that is fatal to the red squirrels. Anyway, this was just my personal curiosity while reading Jane Finch's book.
The books is not just a cute story about friendship between two squirrels but it's much more than that. It shows that it doesn't matter where you are from and what color you are to love one another. I enjoyed reading the book.

Great Book with an Important Message
This is a wonderful story about a young red squirrel named Rowen. Thought to be too young to understand the brutal killing of his father by the "Grey Invaders", he learns first hand how one or two bullies can control a whole community and set them against another one just because of their color. Anxious to save his new friend, Fern--a grey squirrel--from the clutches of the Grey Invaders and their cruel leader, he and his fellow Reds launch a plan that they hope will save them all.

This is a perfect book for ages 7 to 11, or for a grandparent to share with a grandchild. The story is not only engaging, but has a message for all of us today who are trying to end bullying.

An Adventure with Rowan the Red Squirrel
When Rowan, a young red squirrel, discovers that his father had been killed, he becomes determined to discover just what happened and why. He soon learns about the `Grey Invaders,' which are another species of squirrel that he has been warned to avoid. Things become complicated when Rowan befriends a young female grey squirrel named, Fern, who is being bullied by members of the `Grey Invaders.' Rowan becomes determined to end this mistreatment, and he hatches a plan to help Fern.

The characters you meet in the story are engaging and you will come to love Rowan and his bravery and dedication to his newfound friend, Fern. The plot is well conceived and the setting and descriptions are beautifully detailed for the reader.

This is a well-written and exciting adventure that contains some moral messages, which are expertly woven into the story. There are lessons about family and overcoming fear as well as learning to have an open heart and accepting others and their differences. I highly recommend this wonderful animal adventure.