Near extinction by R.A. Spratt
The Peski Kids book 4. Puffin Books, 2020. ISBN:
9780143796367.
(Age: Upper primary+) Highly recommended. Near extinction is
the third book in The Peski Kids series. This time the Peski
(pesky) kids literally face their own extinction in a dinosaur park
on a class geography/paleontology excursion.
The Peski Kids series is full of exciting, page-turning
adventure. Spratt exposes the reader to current
social/cultural/political concerns, language and vocabulary whilst
somehow managing an authentic tween/teen voice.
The characters are clever and outrageous young people who stun the
reader with their sharp banter and antics. You can't identify with
them (they're too wild) but the teenage reader would be impressed
with them, following their activities (from a safe place) and never
admitting openly (rather surreptitiously investigating) if they don't
understand some of the witty allusions. The Pesky Kids are
countercultural with some of their comments and actions. Being well
rounded characters, they all have flaws and strengths which happen
to be somewhat complementary.
Hilarious, current, politically incorrect terms and idioms by the
dozen fly in the rapid fire dialogue between the characters. The
smart play with language and meaning is perfect for the upper
primary child. We want our readers to be exposed to rich vocabulary.
The book demands active thinking too. The motivation is there
because this is rude, insolent, smart kid talk and as a kid yourself
you would not want to appear out of it. The author tantalizes the
reader with connections like " . . . my brother will bear a striking
resemblance to Anne Boleyn . . . " Many terms and concepts such as
man spread, misogyny, roadkill and human smoothies are thrown about
and hilariously dealt with by these characters.
The Peski Kids: Near extinction conjures up a fantastic
visual adventure. Imagine a pink school bus with a theme park
dinosaur speared into the roof with a child caught in its jaws being
driven by jewel thieves at break-neck speed down a country road
chased by a rural policeman and international spies.
Even though The Peski Kids: Near extinction seems to be
about tough, naughty kids who go against the grain, it is also about
love, family, right and wrong and shades of grey. Adoption,
migration, international espionage, teenage relationships and
unusual family structures are embedded themes.
R.A. Spratt does not disappoint with The Peski Kids series
for older children. Highly recommended.
Wendy Jeffery