A Thrilling Eco-Adventure That Gets Kids Off Screens and Into Nature
Armando and the Amazing Animal Race is a fast-moving, impossible-to-put-down adventure and a celebration of our planet and the people who protect it. Every child should read it, every school and library should have it, and everyone who believes in the power of stories to change the world should read it too.
Although aimed at 10- to 12-year-olds, it’s a rare middle-grade novel that adults will enjoy just as much.
If ever there were a book to tempt kids to put down their screens, this is it. An Amazon bestseller, this globe-trotting eco-adventure mystery takes readers from the icy Arctic to the Amazon rainforest in search of endangered animals, family secrets, and breathtaking adventure.
When twelve-year-old Armando secretly enters the Amazing Animal Race with his fearless Granny D, he follows the trail of his missing mother while facing ruthless poachers, fierce rivals, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. It’s packed with cliffhangers, but beneath the action is a moving story about family, courage, hope, and discovering that one young person really can make a difference.
Why This Story Stands Out
Diana Schaffter blends adventure with science, geography, and conservation, exploring biodiversity loss, climate change, environmental justice, and endangered species in a fun, exciting, and accessible way.
The book’s authenticity, emotional depth, and richly layered storytelling set it apart. Drawing on her own adventures, the expertise of conservationists, and the perspectives of children around the globe, Schaffter weaves wildlife, diverse cultures, and real environmental challenges into a story that feels both genuine and inspiring.
Its most powerful message is one of interconnectedness—that people, wildlife, nature, families, and communities are all connected, and caring for the natural world ultimately means caring for one another. 🦋
Reading this book made me want to pack my bags and head to Greenland for my next adventure. That’s the magic of Diana Schaffter’s storytelling; it sparks curiosity, inspires adventure, and leaves readers eager to explore the wonders of our world.
Reviewed by Andrea Koehle Jones, Canadian environmental education advocate, climate journalist, and children’s author of the nature-inspired books Don’t Let Ned Plant a Tree THERE! and The Wish Trees.