Threatened

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: June 10, 2014

Review

The second book by Schrefer (Endangered 2012). I had to read it when I saw it on the shelf. Wow. This book is captivating. The story is engaging and filled with suspense and lush descriptions, none of them unnecessary. It is a dense read, but one that you keep thinking about when you're not reading it. An orphan boy is given a job by a professor who is in Gabon to study chimpanzees (to become Africa's own Jane Goodall). The boy learns about chimps and come to love and respect them. This is the kind of book that you put in the hands of people who love a fully-realized, absorbing story. I am not sure about the believability about all of the science and behavior, but Schrefer does a ton of research, and the story is just so well-written, that it doesn't feel too far-fetched. If you want to be transported to the deep jungle of Gabon with a baby chimp wrapped around your leg and a vervet on your shoulder, then I highly recommend this book. For grades 7-adult.

Overall Book Score: excellent