Endangered (Ape Quartet Series#1)

by Eliot Schrefer

Overview

From National Book Award Finalist Eliot Schrefer comes the compelling tale of a girl who must save a group of bonobos -- and herself -- from a violent coup.

Congo is a dangerous place, even for people who are trying to do good.When Sophie has to visit her mother at her sanctuary for bonobos, she's not thrilled to be there. Then Otto, an infant bonobo, comes into her life, and for the first time she feels responsible for another creature.But peace does not last long for Sophie and Otto. When an armed revolution breaks out in the country, the sanctuary is attacked, and the two of them must escape unprepared into the jungle. Caught in the crosshairs of a lethal conflict, they must struggle to keep safe, to eat, and to live. In ENDANGERED, Eliot Schrefer plunges us into a heart-stopping exploration of the things we do to survive, the sacrifices we make to help others, and the tangled geography that ties us all, human and animal, together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545470018
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	10/01/2012
Series:	Ape Quartet Series , #1
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	590,754
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Eliot Schrefer's Endangered and Threatened were named as finalists for the National Book Award. He is also the author of Rescued, The Deadly Sister, The School for Dangerous Girls, Glamorous Disasters, and The New Kid. He lives in New York City. Visit him online at eliotschrefer.com.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 8 Up—Fourteen-year-old Sophie rescues Otto, a young chimp, while spending the summer at her mother's bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When the president is assassinated and war breaks out, Sophie has a chance to return home to the United States but cannot bear to leave Otto. Their journey to safety takes them into the bonobo enclosure, but the real danger begins when they venture out and risk encountering rebel soldiers. Schrefer excels at imbuing the bonobos with individual personalities and endearing quirks. The bond between Sophie and Otto is so expertly depicted that it almost seems like a parent/child relationship, and readers will readily relate to the anguish the girl feels as she debates leaving her pet behind. The novel tackles tough ethical dilemmas without offering easy answers and delves into racial politics (Sophie's mixed racial heritage influences how others treat her), giving the book a nuanced tone. Schrefer portrays painful scenes in unflinching detail, and his powerful use of language drives the story forward. However, Sophie often seems preternaturally skilled for a teenager who has spent limited time in the Congo. Several moments stretch plausibility, such as when she rescues Otto from a group of soldiers or when she becomes leader of the bonobo tribe. Additionally, because Sophie is recounting the story as an adult looking back, her voice is often far more mature and polished than most adolescent protagonists. Yet despite the flaws, this is a poignant and moving story.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

School Library Journal

Sometimes during an act of heroism, it's the savior who ends up being saved. Such is the case in Eliot Schrefer's dazzling, big-hearted novel Endangered…As riveting as the action is, it's the nuanced portraits of the characters, human and ape, that make the story so deeply affecting.
—Vicki Constantine Croke

The New York Times Book Review

Eliot Schrefer grounds this taut, heart-wrenching tale in details gleaned from his work on a similar sanctuary and paints vivid portraits of intelligent, peaceful primates…
—Mary Quattlebaum

The Washington Post

Schrefer (The Deadly Sister) shines a light on an oft-overlooked part of the world with this intense adventure set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When Sophie, a half-American, half-Congolese 14-year-old, visits her mother at a bonobo sanctuary, her biracial origins make her feel out of place, but she finds purpose by bonding with and caring for Otto, an abused juvenile bonobo. Civil war breaks out while Sophie’s mother is away, and Sophie is inadvertently trapped in a country beset by starvation, roving bands of killers, and natural hazards. To stay alive, Sophie and Otto live off the land, travel in secret, and coexist with other bonobos, while seeking escape or refuge from the chaos. Schrefer spares no detail, fully exposing the horrors of war as he chronicles Sophie’s struggle for survival. This drama is clearly written from the heart, smoothly educating readers about the perilous dichotomy of the Congo and the heart-wrenching plight of the endangered bonobo, without sacrificing the intensity of the story. Sophie, meanwhile, demonstrates herself to be tenacious, resourceful, and strong, making decisions that, while not always smart, are driven by compassion. Ages 12–18. Agent: Richard Pine, Inkwell Management. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for ENDANGERED:A 2012 National Book Award FinalistWinner of the Green Earth PrizeAn ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults choice“Dazzling, big-hearted . . . As riveting as the action is, it's the nuanced portraits of the characters, human and ape, that make the story so deeply affecting.” – THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW* “Schrefer spares no detail . . . This drama is clearly written from the heart.” – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review“Taut, heart-wrenching.” – THE WASHINGTON POST“A poignant and moving story.” – SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNALPraise for THE DEADLY SISTER:* "Well-drawn characters, realistic dialogue, and suspenseful twists and turns add to the appeal. Teens crave mystery, and this book will suit them just fine." — SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review"The page-turning action and the potent relationship between the two sisters will keep teens' attention right up to the final confession." — BOOKLISTPraise for THE SCHOOL FOR DANGEROUS GIRLS:"Teens might behave dangerously themselves to get their hands on this page-turner.” — BOOKLIST“Gripping, violent and terrifying.” — KIRKUS REVIEWS

From the Publisher