Armando and the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter will appeal to middle-grade fans of adventure and books about animals. Twelve-year-old Armando Garduño prepares to spend the summer with his grandmother in London. He doesn't remember her well, as he hasn't seen her for eight years. Granny D surprises Armando, signing them up for a race raising awareness about endangered animals. They must take photos of seven animals in seven countries in seventy days. The race is dangerous, but Armando hopes to learn more about his mom and meet people who knew her as she went missing in Brazil during the previous race. Armando and Granny D are determined to win the race despite risking upsetting Armando's father. Will they succeed?

In Armando and the Amazing Animal Race, Diana Schaffter explores many complex and meaningful topics. Among them are acceptance of and interest in different cultures, customs, and religions. Armando takes his shoes off before entering temples and respects even unfamiliar traditions. His open-mindedness will encourage young readers to follow his example. Armando is curious, kind, and loving. He is eager to help protect endangered animals and their habitats. While Diana touches on serious themes, she describes Armando and Granny D's exciting adventures with wonderful humor. The narrative is briskly paced and compelling. Young readers will like the engaging element of mystery and many astonishing twists in the plot. The book is beautifully illustrated with realistic animal portraits and detailed maps. The message of this informative book is impossible to underestimate, and children will highly benefit from reading it.

Armando and the Amazing Animal Race by Diana Schaffter is a captivating story that follows twelve-year-old Armando as he spends the summer with his adventurous and eccentric grandmother, Granny D. His father tends to isolate himself in his work, leaving Armando feeling lonely. However, everything changes when Granny D invites Armando to London with a cryptic letter instructing him to bring night vision goggles. Upon his arrival, she reveals that they are to participate in the second Amazing Animal Race together -- a competition that requires contestants to travel to different countries to take pictures of seven endangered animals. Although Armando is skeptical about secretly joining the race without his father knowing, he decides to participate in the race to retrace the footsteps of his mother who had mysteriously disappeared on the exact same race eight years earlier and to learn more about her. Together, Armando and Granny D visit beautiful locations, learn about indigenous cultures and wildlife, and confront a dubious corporation and other game participants who put animals in danger.

Armando and the Amazing Animal Race is an entertaining story that raises awareness about endangered species and their vital role in the ecosystem. It also explores themes of family, grief, and adventure. I found this book informative as it includes travel tips and unique insights about the various countries Armando and Granny D visit. Additionally, it addresses the hypocrisy of companies that claim to prioritize environmental responsibility while putting animals at risk and highlights the joy of working with family and friends to create positive change. The book has an interesting concept and an exciting plotline that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what happens next. The potential discovery of Armando's father's secret involvement in the first race, along with resolving the mystery of his mother's disappearance, adds suspense to the story. Diana Schaffter has also included beautiful illustrations depicting various objects, animals, and monuments mentioned throughout the narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend sharing it with your children, as it conveys the essential message of protecting our natural environment and endangered species.