Looking For Miza (Hardcover)

~ Juliana Hatkoff (Author), Isabella Hatkoff (Author), (Author), Dr. Paula Kahumbu (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—In June 2007, two rangers in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo discovered that a young mountain gorilla and her mother had disappeared. Although human efforts to locate the pair proved unsuccessful, Miza's father, Kabirizi, a huge silverback that heads the family, found her and brought her back home. Miza's mother never returned. The authors provide general information about the gorillas' lives and the numerous threats to their survival. Engaging full-color photos will hold browsers' attention and may stimulate interest in these animals. However, because the details of Miza's disappearance and rescue are unknown, the authors can only speculate about pieces of the story, weakening the overall presentation. Impressive photos plus more information can be found in Seymour Simon's Gorillas (HarperCollins, 2000). For older readers, Pamela S. Turner's Gorilla Doctors (Houghton, 2005) would be a first choice.—Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
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From Booklist

Like Owen & Mzee (2006), this photo-essay tells the story of a wild animal that loses its mother. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, two rangers receive the disturbing news that Miza, a baby mountain gorilla, and her mother have disappeared. When they reach Miza’s family, her father, Kabirizi, has already left to look for the missing. He returns with Miza. Fearful and very hungry, she slowly recovers and survives. Readers will quickly respond to the vulnerable little gorilla’s story, told in large color photos as well as text. In this volume, unlike many others on endangered African wildlife, the people trying to help the gorillas are African rather than European or American, and the most heroic figure is an animal, Kabirizi, who looks after his family capably without human intervention. Back matter includes information on threats to mountain gorillas (only 700 remain) and on organizations that are working to preserve the species and their habitat. Grades 2-5. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545085403
• ISBN-13: 978-0545085403
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #55,545 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthustiastic chest thumps!, September 9, 2008

By	N. Chilton - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Moving, inspiring, informative, beautifully illustrated, and very, very important. This is a true story about one family of mountain gorillas, living in the Virunga National Forest (currently occupied by rebel army forces) and their attempts to return a lost orphan to their fold. "Miza" will engage your mind and steal your heart. You cannot ignore the plight of these magnificent creatures whose lives hang in such delicate balance, threatened by deforestation, poaching, and infection and war. Their innocence, so similar to our own, is poignantly and simply stated: "When gorillas feel safe, they play."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looking for Miza book., September 10, 2009

A Kid's Review

This is a wonderful story to read to your children, or they can read by themselves. I actually bought it for myself, age 62, because I am very much an activists for the rights of animals. Since they do not have a voice, we as human beings need to help with this issue. For the younger children who cannot speak for themselves, it is the same situation. I learned that books-healthy, truthful and not very long will be read by the children themselves. This is when you hope one of the children will come to you for a more direct answer. Even if it means that the older child might hear something that could be sensitive for them, talk first about the book and then begin the reading, again. I personally believe children should not be shut out of a certain book because parts may be a little scary or hurtful. Parents, this is the time to step in, talk with your children with extreme honesty. Children do know when they are not being told the truth. Save your self an embarrassing moment and just tell it like it is. You are the one who still has the power to either let them read it, or the ability to take it away for maybe another year. It is truly up to you-the parents as what they should read. Our generation of children are very bright boys & girls. It is so important that they continue to think the same way about them self. Give constant praising to your little ones. These are the kids will succeed in life. God Bless

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very touching, December 20, 2008

By	G. Bartilucci "amazingrace" (Plainview, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This story will certainly make you think if there really is a definite "line" separating us from our primate cousins. The more I read, the more I believe WE are like the apes and not vice versa.