Realistic Fiction

Inside the Aquarium, by Wendy Wax and Joe Murray


In Nortons' description it mentions that realistic fiction, "can extend childrens' horizons." I enjoyed this book because it gave children insight to what goes on inside of an aquarium at a zoo, or aquarium park.

Plot- A baby seal is stranded on the beach and a young girl finds it. She tells her parents and the "Rescue Unit" is called.. The aquariums' rescue unit comes to pick up the seal and bring it to their facility to check it over. They invite the family to come along. It is an interesting look at the inside workings of an aquarium- the feed and care of the fish and animals, the cleaning, and the environment including landscape and water type and temperature for the animals.

Nortons' criteria:

#5 Was the language appropriate in revealing the true nature of the situation? Yes, I thought it was. It provided terms such as lab technicians, marine biologists, etc to make it realistic of an aquarium and some of the people who worked there.

#10 The story definitely provided enjoyment.