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Rosco the Rascal
Rosco the Rascal In the Land of Snow
Brother and sister James and Mandy are spending a winter weekend at a cabin with their lively German shepherd, Rosco. Rosco has never experienced snow before and now he will get the chance to romp around in it, high in the mountains. The kids will build snowmen and brave a steep sledding hill. But will a mysterious visitor bring trouble? And will Rosco’s curious nature spoil the weekend for the kids, or will it save the day? A heartwarming, realistic, family tale, this Rosco the Rascal adventure highlights the magical fun of winter. *Recommended for ages 6-10 *Grade level K-3rd *108 pages *15+ black and white interior illustrations
108 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2015
26 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Shana Gorian
45 books119 followersShana Gorian's latest projects are the Messy Week series, a funny chapter book series for ages 6-9, and the Tales of the Lost & Found, a hauntingly adventurous mystery series for ages 9-12 full of treasure hunts, ghosts, and historical secrets.
She is the author of the Rosco the Rascal series, chapter books for kids 6+ as well as several picture books, including Grandma Says Hush, Little Baby, A Cat Named Whiskers, and the What Am I? rhyming riddle series.
Shana grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has two grown children, and currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their labrador retriever.
To receive updates about new releases and specials, sign up for Shana's newsletter at shanagorian.com.
Shana is an avid lover of the great outdoors, spicy foods, dark chocolate, and spending an afternoon on a comfortable chair with a mug of hot cider and a good book. She is always working on more stories!
She is the author of the Rosco the Rascal series, chapter books for kids 6+ as well as several picture books, including Grandma Says Hush, Little Baby, A Cat Named Whiskers, and the What Am I? rhyming riddle series.
Shana grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has two grown children, and currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their labrador retriever.
To receive updates about new releases and specials, sign up for Shana's newsletter at shanagorian.com.
Shana is an avid lover of the great outdoors, spicy foods, dark chocolate, and spending an afternoon on a comfortable chair with a mug of hot cider and a good book. She is always working on more stories!
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 21, 2015
This is so cute. I love how this doesn't exceed the level of understanding of the intended age group, 6-10. So many chapter books for this reading level use words or situations that go above the level of understanding. It can be difficult to make a book enjoyable and still achieve this. Bravo to the author.
This is a fun book. Rosco is a two year old pup experiencing snow for the first time. Most children love snow and dogs so I think most will enjoy this combination. I like how the brother and sister in this are like real children so younger readers will easily relate with them.
I received a copy of this free through Choosy Bookworm in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
This is a fun book. Rosco is a two year old pup experiencing snow for the first time. Most children love snow and dogs so I think most will enjoy this combination. I like how the brother and sister in this are like real children so younger readers will easily relate with them.
I received a copy of this free through Choosy Bookworm in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
September 18, 2016
I love winter, it is one of my favorite seasons and in this story you get to really experience the fun winter has to offer. Rosco and his family take a trip high up in the mountains and make snowmen, sled and have tons of fun. I have to tell you that I felt cold reading about their snow fun because the author can really write great descriptions. It was one of those books that I felt like I was there with them...the whole time. I was really engaged and recommend this book to anyone that likes a good story that take places in the winter. There is always adventure and fun in her books! 4.5 stars
July 17, 2024
Rosco and his family spend a weekend in the snow-covered mountains, surrounded by wildlife. What could go wrong? This story will entertain readers in the early middle grades.
October 17, 2015
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
Rosco the Rascal In the Land of Snow by Shana Gorian is the heartwarming story of Rosco the German Shepherd. Set against the backdrop of a snowy land, this story has humor, adventure and drama and will keep readers entertained till the very end. Roscoe has never seen snow and readers see Roscoe going for a family vacation to the mountains. There, along with the children in his family, James and Mandy, they get involved with the problems of another pup. The log cabin, mountains, snow and suspense make it an exciting read for children. The snowman, snow and winter season add to the magic of the story.
The book captures the essence and chills of the winter season. The main characters are adorable and they stay in the minds of readers for a long time. Children will enjoy Roscoe and the mischief he creates. It's a good bedtime storybook and is also good for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries. The illustrations are beautiful and capture the beauty of the winter season nicely. The pictures also give pace and movement to the scenes and breathe life into the characters of the story.
All animal lovers will enjoy reading the story which also has a good message. Children learn about the beauty of nature with the help of the author's vivid descriptions of the surroundings. Children will definitely look forward to more adventures from Roscoe the Rascal after reading this story.
Rosco the Rascal In the Land of Snow by Shana Gorian is the heartwarming story of Rosco the German Shepherd. Set against the backdrop of a snowy land, this story has humor, adventure and drama and will keep readers entertained till the very end. Roscoe has never seen snow and readers see Roscoe going for a family vacation to the mountains. There, along with the children in his family, James and Mandy, they get involved with the problems of another pup. The log cabin, mountains, snow and suspense make it an exciting read for children. The snowman, snow and winter season add to the magic of the story.
The book captures the essence and chills of the winter season. The main characters are adorable and they stay in the minds of readers for a long time. Children will enjoy Roscoe and the mischief he creates. It's a good bedtime storybook and is also good for read aloud sessions in classrooms and school libraries. The illustrations are beautiful and capture the beauty of the winter season nicely. The pictures also give pace and movement to the scenes and breathe life into the characters of the story.
All animal lovers will enjoy reading the story which also has a good message. Children learn about the beauty of nature with the help of the author's vivid descriptions of the surroundings. Children will definitely look forward to more adventures from Roscoe the Rascal after reading this story.
April 20, 2016
This is the second book in the Rosco series featuring the German Shepherd pup and his family. I enjoyed reading the first adventure set in the pumpkin patch, but the second one centering around a family weekend in the mountains entertained me even more.
Twelve year old James and his seven year old sister Mandy are classic sibling characters. Their dialogue and interactions are so natural. In this adventure James and Mandy share snowball fights, a terrifying sled race downhill, and encountering a coyote. Chapter book readers will find themselves identifying and empathizing with the characters and the tricky situations in which they find themselves. Black and white illustrations add interest. I have already grown fond of this family, their triumphs and their failures.
Recommended especially for children in the seven to ten age range, but adults will love it just as much for a enjoyable afternoon read.
Twelve year old James and his seven year old sister Mandy are classic sibling characters. Their dialogue and interactions are so natural. In this adventure James and Mandy share snowball fights, a terrifying sled race downhill, and encountering a coyote. Chapter book readers will find themselves identifying and empathizing with the characters and the tricky situations in which they find themselves. Black and white illustrations add interest. I have already grown fond of this family, their triumphs and their failures.
Recommended especially for children in the seven to ten age range, but adults will love it just as much for a enjoyable afternoon read.
September 19, 2016
I love winter, it is one of my favorite seasons and in this story you get to really experience the fun winter has to offer. Rosco and his family take a trip high up in the mountains and make snowmen, sled and have tons of fun. I have to tell you that I felt cold reading about their snow fun because the author can really write great descriptions. It was one of those books that I felt like I was there with them...the whole time. I was really engaged and recommend this book to anyone that likes a good story that take places in the winter. There is always adventure and fun in her books! 4.5 stars
July 8, 2016
This is another delightful book in Shana Gorian's Rosco the Rascal series. The illustrated book follows the adventures of the McKendrick family on a snowy weekend retreat to the mountains. The not-quite-mature German Shepherd, Rosco, is enticed by every sound he hears from the woods surrounding the cabin. His antics during the construction of the snowman will have your kids laughing in delight. Will he draw Mandy and James into the woods and danger before the weekend is over? You will love this family romp in the fresh powder of a winter snowfall.
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December 24, 2016What a super adventure and mystery story for young kids!
I had àlready read this story previously but with a different cover. This sure more impressive than the original one and yet still enjoyed all of it.
Si, I wish to recommend this ebook for five stars and for an estimate of ages 6-10 I received this ebook for free and in return, here is my honest review. Super job Shana! By Angela
I had àlready read this story previously but with a different cover. This sure more impressive than the original one and yet still enjoyed all of it.
Si, I wish to recommend this ebook for five stars and for an estimate of ages 6-10 I received this ebook for free and in return, here is my honest review. Super job Shana! By Angela
February 11, 2017
Rated 5 stars by a grandma, mother, and third grader in Wisconsin. We've each read and loved the clear visualization, and we can certainly relate! Reading it was almost as much fun as being there. Those of us who know snow and puppy dogs hope that those who are deprived of our kind of fun will be able to have as much fun with this book as we did!
I entered a Goodreads Giveaway and won a free review copy.
I entered a Goodreads Giveaway and won a free review copy.
March 7, 2016
Review will follow.
August 11, 2023
This is a great early-reader chapter book series and the illustrations are super cute!
It's an adventurous story of two siblings and their fun-loving German Shepherd, Rosco, intended for readers 6-10 years old. In this book, James, Mandy, and Rosco go on vacation to the mountains and learn about forest safety and wild animals.
I really like how the book highlights wholesome family values (mom & dad are both present in their life) and the kids aren't constantly fighting. They have their disagreements, but they are quick to apologize and go back to playing.
I think the only thing that I wish was different is the head-hopping. I listened to the book on audio, so the story, when read aloud, is kind of all over the place. Sometimes Rosco has thoughts at the same time that Mandy and James are expressing feelings and thoughts. When visually reading the book, I'm sure the fonts are different, distinguishing between the kids' POV and Rosco's POV. But audibly, the back-and-forth causes a bit of whiplash.
Overall though, it's a very cute book and I'll probably keep reading the series!
It's an adventurous story of two siblings and their fun-loving German Shepherd, Rosco, intended for readers 6-10 years old. In this book, James, Mandy, and Rosco go on vacation to the mountains and learn about forest safety and wild animals.
I really like how the book highlights wholesome family values (mom & dad are both present in their life) and the kids aren't constantly fighting. They have their disagreements, but they are quick to apologize and go back to playing.
I think the only thing that I wish was different is the head-hopping. I listened to the book on audio, so the story, when read aloud, is kind of all over the place. Sometimes Rosco has thoughts at the same time that Mandy and James are expressing feelings and thoughts. When visually reading the book, I'm sure the fonts are different, distinguishing between the kids' POV and Rosco's POV. But audibly, the back-and-forth causes a bit of whiplash.
Overall though, it's a very cute book and I'll probably keep reading the series!
April 13, 2020
I found the characters genuine and engaging but the plot was not strong. There were lots of lovely scenes in the snow and in the mountain cabin but not much tension.
April 2, 2016
What I liked:
Rosco is a heartwarming character – a furry friend every bit as endearing as Lassie and Old Yeller. Gorian writes in the third-person omniscient, divulging Rosco’s canine thoughts as well as those of the human characters. How delightful!
The ages and genders of the characters appealed to me. While well-written books can feature protagonists of only one gender while still appealing to both boys and girls, having both a male and female lead immediately nixes one possible interest barrier. While I believe this book holds the greatest appeal to readers in the six- to eight-year-old range, ten-year-old James makes it a great choice for older readers who are still struggling with reading mastery but want age-appropriate content.
The family structure was strong, and the children were respectful. The book portrays a loving family enjoying fun times together, which draws young readers in. The fictitious family is a great role model, and the children model forgiveness in a powerful way.
The book is filled with light suspense as young readers attempt to guess the identity of the mystery animal.
What I disliked:
In Gorian’s efforts to make this an easy read, the sentence structures and dialogue sometimes came across as choppy. While some of the sentence structures evoked comparisons to Gertrude Chandler Warner’s masterpiece series, The Boxcar Children, the wording was slightly lacking in other spots.
While the Mom and Dad in the book do make it clear that the children should not mess around with wild animals, I am still not 100% confident children will take away this lesson because the young protagonists are glorified for saving a baby animal. It’s worth reminding your young readers that wild animals should be left alone no matter how cute they may be.
My six-year-old daughter was an even bigger fan of the book than I was. She writes:
“I liked reading Rosco the Rascal in the Land of Snow. A family of four plus their dog were taking a trip to the snowy mountains. The children and their dog became heroes by saving a baby animal. I liked the first (part) best because there was a mysterious animal. I also liked all the fun adventures James and Mandy had. The book is fun because it is mysterious, so you should read it.”
Rosco is a heartwarming character – a furry friend every bit as endearing as Lassie and Old Yeller. Gorian writes in the third-person omniscient, divulging Rosco’s canine thoughts as well as those of the human characters. How delightful!
The ages and genders of the characters appealed to me. While well-written books can feature protagonists of only one gender while still appealing to both boys and girls, having both a male and female lead immediately nixes one possible interest barrier. While I believe this book holds the greatest appeal to readers in the six- to eight-year-old range, ten-year-old James makes it a great choice for older readers who are still struggling with reading mastery but want age-appropriate content.
The family structure was strong, and the children were respectful. The book portrays a loving family enjoying fun times together, which draws young readers in. The fictitious family is a great role model, and the children model forgiveness in a powerful way.
The book is filled with light suspense as young readers attempt to guess the identity of the mystery animal.
What I disliked:
In Gorian’s efforts to make this an easy read, the sentence structures and dialogue sometimes came across as choppy. While some of the sentence structures evoked comparisons to Gertrude Chandler Warner’s masterpiece series, The Boxcar Children, the wording was slightly lacking in other spots.
While the Mom and Dad in the book do make it clear that the children should not mess around with wild animals, I am still not 100% confident children will take away this lesson because the young protagonists are glorified for saving a baby animal. It’s worth reminding your young readers that wild animals should be left alone no matter how cute they may be.
My six-year-old daughter was an even bigger fan of the book than I was. She writes:
“I liked reading Rosco the Rascal in the Land of Snow. A family of four plus their dog were taking a trip to the snowy mountains. The children and their dog became heroes by saving a baby animal. I liked the first (part) best because there was a mysterious animal. I also liked all the fun adventures James and Mandy had. The book is fun because it is mysterious, so you should read it.”
January 19, 2017
The McKendricks family love the snow, but where they live they didn't get much snow and some years they didn't get any. They love winter sports like sledding and building a snowman so they would take a trip to the mountains to enjoy the snow. This year Dad rents a cabin for the weekend. It is one they had never rented before and found that the cabin was everything they were looking for (just like the pamphlet said). There was a large front yard to play in and build a snowman and also a sledding hill that was so close they could see it from the cabin.
The snow was deep and gave the family a lot of chances to build a snowman, sled, and have a snowball fight. They had a great time and so did their dog Rosco the rascal. Rosco got into many things( it was his first time in snow) and he love to explored were he found an animal who needed help. Rosco, Mandy, and James all come to the rescue and the weekend came to a happy end. This is a
cute family book.
I got this for free in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The snow was deep and gave the family a lot of chances to build a snowman, sled, and have a snowball fight. They had a great time and so did their dog Rosco the rascal. Rosco got into many things( it was his first time in snow) and he love to explored were he found an animal who needed help. Rosco, Mandy, and James all come to the rescue and the weekend came to a happy end. This is a
cute family book.
I got this for free in a Goodreads Giveaway.
October 14, 2016
A great entertainment value, especially on the night a power went out and my kindle was charged!
Held my son's interest throughout (we read it all in one sitting) as it was fast paced, super cute story anyone can relate to (who has played in snow).
A young family gets away for the weekend to a world of snow and bring along their dog who gets in to some trouble but also reconfirms why he's part of the family. From snowman building, to dog sledding this book has all the adventures winter can offer and more!
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
Held my son's interest throughout (we read it all in one sitting) as it was fast paced, super cute story anyone can relate to (who has played in snow).
A young family gets away for the weekend to a world of snow and bring along their dog who gets in to some trouble but also reconfirms why he's part of the family. From snowman building, to dog sledding this book has all the adventures winter can offer and more!
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Butland
February 6, 2017
Young readers will certainly enjoy Rosco The Rascal In the Land of Snow. Rosco is a great family pet who acts like one of the kids. It's fun to read portions of the story from his point of view so we know what Rosco's thinking. (I bet we wish we could do that with our own pets.)
James and Mandy can't wait for their fun weekend away in the mountains. Once they are there, they share many memorable experiences - building a snowman, having snowballs fights, and sledding. Rosco joins in too, and you can just imagine how he takes part in some of these activities! Along with all of the fun, James and Mandy also encounter a new wild life experience, and Rosco uses his animal sense to help the kids get out of a hairy situation.
As an educator, I also think this book would be a good read aloud. Besides having a fun story line, there are "teachable" moments that lend themselves to a discussion - dealing with animals in the wild, family relationships, and sibling dynamics.
James and Mandy can't wait for their fun weekend away in the mountains. Once they are there, they share many memorable experiences - building a snowman, having snowballs fights, and sledding. Rosco joins in too, and you can just imagine how he takes part in some of these activities! Along with all of the fun, James and Mandy also encounter a new wild life experience, and Rosco uses his animal sense to help the kids get out of a hairy situation.
As an educator, I also think this book would be a good read aloud. Besides having a fun story line, there are "teachable" moments that lend themselves to a discussion - dealing with animals in the wild, family relationships, and sibling dynamics.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews