Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Megan the Pet Whisperer: Megan's World, Volume 3 is a fiction book for children and preteens, grades 4-6, written by Pamela Foland. While this is the third book in the Megan’s World series, the author gives enough background information in the story for it to be read on its own. Jill and Megan’s latest job of pet sitting for the Driscolls ended up with them taking Max, the Driscolls’ Labrador retriever, to the vet. While Jill was playing fetch with him, he suddenly began to limp and couldn’t put weight on a front paw. Megan knew the first thing to do was to call Mrs. Driscoll and then get Max to the vet. Dr. Newton quickly put their minds at ease after examining Max and finding that he had pulled back a toenail.

While she was waiting for Max, Megan’s attention was riveted on Monty, the Capuchin monkey Dr. Newton had in a large cage in the lobby. The receptionist warned her to stay clear of Monty as he was not at all a friendly character, but Megan was drawn to him. She spoke quietly and calmly, and Monty began to respond, reaching a hand out to her and making cooing noises. The receptionist was stunned as previously only Dr. Newton had been able to get near him. The next day, after Megan had brought her four small kittens for their rabies shots, Dr. Newton asked her if she could mind Monty for him while he was gone. Megan was thrilled. Twice a day, she’d get to spend time with Monty, feeding him and playing with him. She loved the fact that she seemed to have the ability to put frightened animals’ minds at ease with her voice and words. Megan was a pet whisperer, and she loved it.

Megan the Pet Whisperer is a heartwarming story about a girl whose adoption of four one-day-old kittens and embarkation into a pet-sitting business to pay for their upkeep has led to her thoughts about becoming a vet tech, and eventually a vet, when she grows up. Megan’s pet whispering is awesome to watch as she comforts frightened animal boarders at the vet’s clinic, and helps a terrified dog get through his exam and shots. Her responsibilities toward her four kittens, which led to her pet sitting business, may very well lead her into a field for which she seems very well suited indeed. I loved the way Foland’s character interacts with animals, never pushing herself onto them and letting them come to her. I enjoyed seeing how she copes with the problems that arise in her business in an upfront and honest fashion. Young readers have a marvelous role model in Megan, whose plans for the future are quite inspiring. I’m looking forward to the next book in this well-written series. Megan the Pet Whisperer is most highly recommended.