Book Review of Sunny and the Border Patrol
The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Adventure, redemption, family bonds, friendship, anthropomorphic animals, environmental themes, coming-of-age.
In Sunny and the Border Patrol, Maureen Young crafts a compelling animal fantasy that transforms a warren bully into an unlikely hero through adventure, sacrifice, and the power of family bonds.
The story follows Sunny Ruthers, the strongest hare in Eastside Warren and daughter of Captain Ruthers, who has earned a reputation for cruelty after losing her baby brother Rolly the previous season. When junior patrollers Harrow and Arty discover that their vital garden has been fenced off by humans (“small-ears”), threatening the warren’s winter survival, they seek help from the mysterious Hawkseer. Their subsequent mission to find Samuel Strongtooth of the Big River Beaver Clan becomes a journey of redemption when Sunny is assigned as their reluctant protector.
Throughout the story, Young addresses serious themes, including bullying, family trauma, and environmental survival, while maintaining an adventurous pace that will engage middle-grade readers. She skillfully weaves multiple storylines as the trio faces capture by the dangerous Inner-City Warren led by the villainous Marcus One Ear. She creates a rich world where warrens function as communities, “low-flyers” (vehicles) pose constant danger, and cross-species alliances form between hares, beavers, owls, and even falcons.
The character development is particularly strong, especially Sunny’s transformation from someone who “wouldn’t care if you all dropped dead tomorrow” to a leader who fights alongside former enemies and earns the respect of her warren. Rebecca Popowich’s black-and-white illustrations, which open each chapter, enhance the storytelling in a delightful way.
Sunny and the Border Patrol is an exciting adventure and a thoughtful exploration of redemption that proves even the most hardened hearts can change when given the chance to protect those they love.
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About the Author
Author M. Young has combined her love of the natural world with her love of youth fiction to create this debut novel for young readers. Her post secondary education is in Forestry and Environmental Technology. She spends her spare time golfing, writing and practicing the violin…in that order.
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