Book Review

WE CAN'T ALL BE RATTLESNAKES (J Fic) by Patrick Jennings

Meet "Crusher," a snake who is caught and kept by an unsavory human boy named Gunnar. Crusher is the rare cold-blooded reptile with a surprisingly warmish heart. Misidentified as a "he," Crusher is actually a perceptive and s-s-s-s-assy female gopher snake with no intention of remaining in captivity. With the ability to communicate telepathically with Gunnar's other pet reptiles -- "Rex," a sarcastic alligator lizard, and "Speedy," a submissive desert tortoise -- Crusher learns to survive Gunnar's antics and begins to plan her escape. When a botched attempt lowers her status to that of Gunnar's other neglected prisoners, Crusher has time to ponder predators and prey, and to develp a bit of compassion for both -- for her slimy and also-neglected captor, Gunnar, and for her intended meal, "Breakfast," a nervous and ditzy mouse. How Crusher's compassion and perseverance enable her to cleverly return to the great and warm outdoors is a rattling tale of reptile heroics and human amusement. Even for those who despise snakes of any kind.