Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

To raise money, George accepts a job at Wormestall Farm caring for unusual (and supposedly extinct or fantastical) animals. But when the new town taxidermist wants to stuff and mount all the animals, George and his compatriots must rally to protect the farm. Despite a simplistic plot and caricatured villains, the blend of lighthearted humor and brisk adventure is entertaining.

ALA Booklist (Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2016)

Eleven-year-old George Drake would rather not be walking Sir Crispin, a fat pug, but he needs the money for a new bike. Things start to look up, though, when a help-wanted ad for Wormestall Farm catches his eye. It is immediately clear that this is no ordinary farm ere's a unicorn in the paddock and a baby kraken in the bathtub, and that's just for starters. This hidden sanctuary for (presumed) extinct and mythical creatures is under threat, however. An escaped basilisk has the town up in arms, and evil taxidermist Diamond Pye is after some one-of-a-kind specimens. Luckily, George happens to be the perfect person to help protect the farm. Cossanteli's debut is a breezy adventure with just the right amount of oddball charm, augmented by Muradov's quirky illustrations. Fans of Eva Ibbotson's The Abominables (2013) and Jackson Pearce and Maggie Steifvater's Pip Bartlett's Guide to Magical Creatures (2015) will be drawn to George's quest to save unusual animals and outsmart the maniacal Diamond Pye.

School Library Journal (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Gr 4-8 After seeing a "Help Wanted" sign, which advertises for "The Right Person" and "No Squamophobes," George Drake decides to apply for a position at Wormestall Farm. During his first visit to the farm, George successfully traps a Triassic period mammal, battles a kraken while on the toilet, and, ultimately, lands the job. As with ordinary farms, the animals at Wormestall require feeding, cleaning, and overall care. Unlike ordinary farms, Wormestall houses extinct, imaginary, and extraordinary animals. Just as George's adventure at Wormestall begins, odd things start to happen around town. Small pets are disappearing, and rumors fly about the "Squermington Wyrm," a raucous, meat-eating monster. George must use his newly discovered animal-rearing skills to solve the mystery and discover what and who are worth fighting for. Cossanteli creates a fantastical adventure of mystery and imagination, set in our own backyard. She uses our fascination with dodos, unicorns, dragons, and more, as she moves them from dreams to reality. The Extincts pushes readers to heighten their imaginations, provoking inquiry about these intriguing creatures, and leaves them to ponder such details as the composition of a unicorn's diet. Cossanteli's amusingly odd characters work to create interest, yet at times seem over-the-top. The quirky language and British-style vocabulary match the tone of the book yet disrupt fluency and may be challenging for some students. VERDICT With an appealing subject matter, The Extincts is a weird, highly imaginative adventure that will entice readers with its theme of animal conservation, which rings loudly in today's society. Recommended for school libraries. Mary-Brook J. Townsend, Episcopal Collegiate School Library, Little Rock, AK