The Capybara Conspiracy: A Novel in Three Acts

Reviewed by: Kris Zuidema - retired school librarian, Standish, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 7, 2017

Review

Seventh grader Olive Henry is a member of her school drama club and has recently won a writing contest. She is tired of the extreme emphasis on sports in her school and wants more attention placed on the arts. Olive and her friends decide to kidnap the school mascot which happens to be a capybara. This fun story is full of humor and action. The play format is unique and is well suited to the plot. Middle grade readers will appreciate the humor and the predicaments the characters get themselves into working together. At the end of the book the author offers information and ideas on how to present this play. Performing this story would be a wonderful activity for a classroom or small group.

Overall Book Score: very good