“Smalls the sun bear, Tilda the Angora rabbit, Rigby the Komondor dog, and Wombat the wombat are the four animals that make up “the misfit menagerie.”
Together they’ve always lived a happy life on Mr. Mumford’s farm. That is, until one fateful evening when Mumford, loopy from elderberry wine, accidentally loses them to the dastardly circus owner Grande Master Claude. Suddenly, these animals are forced to perform death-defying tricks and live in filthy, cramped cages as members of Claude’s traveling circus. But all hope is not lost! Claude’s nephew Bertie and his friend Susan, a circus acrobat, are equally fed up with Claude’s evil ways, and together they might just have what it takes to find their ticket out of the circus.” Amazon.com

Resnick is a writer who creates characters worth caring about and a plot line that keeps the reader engaged.  However, the abuse that occurs is harsh.  Once the reader has begun to care about the characters it is very hard to read the detailed description of their individual cruel treatments and sufferings. An angry elephant, a hot-to-trot Zebra and an elderly monkey who has given up on life are a few of the side characters.  These animals are starkly contrasted by the main animals: a wombat, a sun bear, a Komondor dog and an angora rabbit who live an idyllic existence until a cruel circus master swindles them away from their loving owner.  The circus master also “owns” two children.  One performs in the circus and the other does everything necessary to help keep a circus running.
The story line is very engaging and the writing style is fluid and descriptive. Perhaps a bit too strong in many instances where the cruelty and abuse is concerned. The harshness without redeeming or redemptive outcomes makes me rate this book as not recommended.
There is a sequel and perhaps that will add light and meaning to this work.