Endangered [Hardcover]

Eliot Schrefer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2012

The compelling tale of a girl who must save a group of bonobos--and herself--from a violent coup.

The Congo is a dangerous place, even for people who are trying to do good.

When one girl has to follow her mother to her sancuary for bonobos, she's not thrilled to be there. It's her mother's passion, and she'd rather have nothing to do with it. But when revolution breaks out and their sanctuary is attacked, she must rescue the bonobos and hide in the jungle. Together, they will fight to keep safe, to eat, and to survive.

Eliot Schrefer asks readers what safety means, how one sacrifices to help others, and what it means to be human in this new compelling adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

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 Journalα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"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. " - Publishers Weekly starred review

“[D]azzling, big-hearted…As riveting as the acting is, it’s the nuanced portraits of the characters, human and ape, that make the story so deeply affecting…Otto, however, becomes the story’s real protagonist. The descriptions of him are so visceral I sometimes felt I was holding a bonobo, not a book.” - New York Times Book Review

Praise 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." - SLJ, starred review



"The page-turning action and the potent relationship between the two sisters will keep teens’ attention right up to the final confession." - Booklist



Praise 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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; First Edition edition (October 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545165768
• ISBN-13: 978-0545165761
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ELIOT SCHREFER is a resident of New York City and an honors graduate of Harvard College. A contributor to The Huffington Post and a reviewer for USAToday, Eliot has been profiled in Newsweek, New York Magazine, the New York Post, WWD, and NPR's "Leonard Lopate Show." His first novel, Glamorous Disasters, became an international bestseller. He has since been writing for young adults. His books have been translated into Russian, Polish, Romanian, and German.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thriller with a Heart and a Brain October 1, 2012

By Jeff Hirsch

Format:Hardcover

In the interests of full disclosure, I know Eliot a little bit personally and we publish our books with the same publisher. That said, I know a bunch of writers personally and this is the first time I've ever actually gone to Amazon and reviewed any of their books. I'm doing it this time simply because this is an awesome book that I really think everyone needs to read.

Thrillers are everywhere at the moment (They're the new vampires. Oh, wait, maybe the new angels? The new mermaids? Whatever) but it's incredibly rare that you find a thriller that's about alot more than just running and dodging and gunfire. Endangered is exciting and compulsively readable, sure, but it also grounds you in the terrifyingly real world of the Congo and deals with real issues and real people in a way that's smart and compassionate while still being tough minded. Sophie's journey to escape the violence around her while protecting her bonobo charge is certainly exciting but more than that it charts her evolution from an inexperienced and naive girl to a responsible and courageous (and very clever) young woman.

Hope you all go grab yourself a copy. I'm sure you'll be glad you did.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling and Powerful October 1, 2012

By CAL

Format:Hardcover

With great humanity, pitch-perfect story-telling, and unsentimental clarity, Endangered tells the story of a girl and an ape in one of the worst wars the modern world has known. As in the Congo itself, there is violence and cruelty, but there is also laughter and hope. Sometimes it takes an animal to help us find our humanity, and sometimes it takes Eliot Schrefer to tell that story beautifully.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-pounding, tear-jerking, soul-searching October 22, 2012

By Maxelah

Format:Kindle Edition

Endangered is not just a gripping thriller; it's also beautifully, thoughtfully written. Eliot Schrefer's descriptions of bonobos are fascinating and heartwarming, and he's created a protagonist with far more complexity and nuance that your average young adult novel heroine. As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed Endangered, but the pace barrels forward in way that I'm sure would appeal to teens as well. This is that rare YA book that you will savor as both a satisfying work of literature and a window into an often-forgotten part of the world. Who needs mermaids when you've got much more magical creatures in the real world--bonobos!