Description
Product Description
A highly entertaining fable of squirrels reliving the history of the United States. Will they solve our problems – faster?
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After the Great Disastrous Floods recede, squirrel greats George Squirrelton and Benjamin Franknut convince the surviving squirrels that they need to organize themselves to survive under the difficult conditions. The squirrel tribes form the Sciurus States, on the Eastern Seaboard.
Still, life in the Sciurus States stays grim until squirrel influencer Steve I’Squirrel discovers that the weird boxes the humans left behind can be used to communicate with other burrows.
Using the smartboxes, the squirrels quickly learn to manage and improve their economy. They streamline their harvest-to-storage process, track their inventories, and learn to trade with other burrows. As a result, the Sciurus States begin to flourish.
Alas, eventually, problems arise – the Tribe Council seems to favor their own interests over the squirrel citizens’. Young Harry, a descendant of President Theo Roosquirrel, his Great-Grandpa, the gray eminence of Nuttington burrow, and Gary Logisquir, the Sciurus States’ nut-checkers champion, all discover reasons to be irritated with The Council’s activities.
Meantime, one of the Sciurus States’ residents tries to find the nerve to become a whistleblower. He knows that The Council has an even bigger secret than Harry, Great-Grandpa, and Gary Logisquir suspect.
On a day when Harry finds a rare raspberry, things begin to unravel.
Review
"Are We Nuts? has a great deal to say about the dangers of corruption in even the most enlightened and democratic societies... As relevant as it is entertaining."
--Daniel Hickerson, blogger at "The News for Squirrels"
"A witty, scintillating conception of real issues in society and government; this entertaining fable is an absolute must-read as a superbly impactful allegory."
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Bryant Young, Activist, Blogger at Optimistic American, Founder of Represent Austin Students (Represent.Us chapter)
"
Is it a fable or an allegory? The residents of this unusual society will let you in on a secret as they themselves make the discovery that could save their lives. You'll be fascinated with this all-to-real tale of detectives in their que
st to make sense of it all. Gisela Hausmann has given us characters who use "
squirrel sense"
to save a generation."
--Frank G. Carter, Educator
"
Are We Nuts?" is a must read for every squirrel lover. This modern fable is an entertaining adventure of squirrels that survive even after mankind disappears. Follow the lovable characters, of course my favorite is Gary Logisquir the nut-checkers champion white squirrel, as they learn to work together to survive in this new world."
--Belinda Henton "The Squirrel Lady," Olney, IL - The Home of the White Squirrels
"As an educator for 25 years, I love to discover new books that my middle school students will both enjoy and learn from. Are We Nuts? goes even further as it weaves in themes of the common good, the conservation and sharing of resources, and the proper stewardship of the natural world into a modern fable that is steeped in American history. There's much to discuss in this tale of youth taking action for the benefit of all."
Robert Ward, 25 yrs. ELA educator, Edutopia & EdWeek blogger, author