His scientist parents study the decomposition of roadkill, so Jack is accustomed to having disintegrating carcasses in the backyard. He's less accustomed to his parents' recent separation--a split that leaves Jack to observe and dissect the decay in his own family's life. A spot of brightness arrives in the form of a magnificent cougar that Jack spots in the forest behind their house, but the sighting also raises questions, as cougars haven't been officially detected in Tennessee for years. Is Jack imagining things? Setting out to prove the cougar's existence, he devises a way to stop his family from disintegrating like the unfortunate animals out back. Roadkill is an unconventional basis for a novel, but it turns out to be the perfect jumping-off point for a poignant, playful exploration of deep family ties, the joy of kindred spirits, and the importance of conservation. Squeamish readers may occasionally struggle to stomach detailed descriptions of death, but all readers will be rewarded with a frank and funny examination of decay--and the new life it encourages.

A parent-child duo collect and research roadkill. Tennessee middle schooler Jack Acosta can handle maggots, blood, and intestines. But the "stench of decay" involved in transporting carcasses (his scientist mother studies decomposition) is a big nope. Between being called "Roadkill Kid," his mom and dad's divorce, and extracurricular "roadkill undertaking," Jack has a lot going on. In spite of the "work, work, work," Jack finds time to hang out with his best friend, André, and fret over his budding friendship with his crush, Zoe. A live cougar's surprise appearance in the backyard "Roadkill Garden" inspires Jack to research the species--one that has been declared extinct in the state--for a school report. His mom sees the cougar as a "data nightmare," but to Jack, it's a call to action. Tubb, known for humorous dog books, diverges from her oeuvre to deliver a moving narrative with a distinct point of view. Jack's references to the stages of the decomposition process as he grapples with his parents' divorce offer unique parallels to grieving. Laugh-out-loud moments balance the heavy with the humorous. The strong conservationist message and assignment-based structure, however, make the story a bit bloated. Race and ethnicity aren't explicitly stated; some cues suggest possible diversity (e.g., Zoe's mom wears a headscarf). Niche but surprisingly fascinating. (author's note) (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 5 Up--Tubbs's latest middle grade novel (following A Dog Like Daisy and Zeus, Dog of Chaos) departs from dog narration and introduces readers to seventh grader Jack Acosta, also known as "Jack Splat." Jack is learning to live with his parents' divorce while helping his mom with her career studying roadkill and its decomposition (hence the nicknames, which also include "Roadkill Kid"). He is also providing feedback on his best friend's comics and figuring out how to get the attention of his crush, "Algebra Green Eyes," who happens to head the school's conservation club. Although he's a scientist, Jack finds himself in danger of failing earth science; but he may be able to turn things around if he can prove that cougars are not extinct, because there's one living in the woods behind his house. Heavy themes of divorce and extinction loom large, but Tubb offers humorous moments and a caring mother-son relationship to balance them. Animal lovers and budding conservationists will be especially drawn to the ongoing mystery of whether cougars still live in Tennessee. An author's note provides further information about roadkill collectors and cougars. VERDICT An engaging coming-of-age tale for the environmentally minded tween.--Carrie Voliva

A self-aware seventh grader with a roadkill researcher mother ruminates on life, maturation, and decomposition in this jam-packed observational novel from O'Donnell Tubb (The Story Collector). Following his parents' divorce, Jack Acosta spends most of his time helping his mom with her research, scraping roadkill from asphalt and recording details about recent finds, while developing an interest in photography. At school, he navigates a crush and contends with bullies who call him the Roadkill Kid. But tensions build after Jack observes a cougar from the family's roadkill-riddled backyard, and chooses the mammal--thought to be extinct in Tennessee--for a school project. The cougar poses a "data nightmare" for his mother, who'd like to chase it off, but Jack becomes interested in confirming the animal's presence, which results in his advocating for his own identity outside of helping his mom. Incorporating the stages of decomposition as a means of describing his parents' divorce, Jack's wry first-person narration highlights his own concerns and growth, changing family dynamics, and lessons around conservation. Jack reads as white; other characters are racially ambiguous. A detailed author's note contextualizes the book's scientific content. Ages 8--12. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (Oct.)