Ortega [Hardcover]

Maureen Fergus (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

With a thick finger he slowly traced the path of a stray raindrop that had landed near the corner of his eye and trickled down his cheek. And he thought to himself that it was probably a very good thing that gorillas didn t know how to cry.

Raised in a laboratory, Ortega might seem nearly human to his scientist-caregivers, but to the children at his new school, a talking gorilla is nothing but a freak. Unless he wants to spend the rest of his life locked in a cage, however, Ortega is going to have to change people s minds.

More than a comic-adventure novel, Ortega asks the reader to reflect upon the limits of science, imagine how it feels to be profoundly different from those around you and, most of all, consider what it really means to be human.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 Ortega is a lowland gorilla that was removed from the wild and physically altered at birth in an experiment to determine whether or not a gorilla can do what humans do. He is rendered capable of speech through various surgeries and raised by scientists attempting to teach him language (written and verbal) as well as social customs. As the novel begins, 11-year-old Ortega is being integrated into a regular middle school. His attachment to Dr. Susan, with whom he lives, is familial, and it is reciprocated. Unfortunately, the main scientist in charge of the experiment isn't happy with some of the results and has decided to sell Ortega and move onto another project. He is shocked to find that when all is said and done, he is still an animal and as such has no rights whatsoever. It will take an intervention by his new friends at school to save him and allow him to be himself, whatever that self may be. This is a subtle sort of science-fiction tale that seems almost plausible. As such it taps into the basic emotions of where do I belong? as well as universal needs for companionship and love. The characters, both primary and secondary, are realistically drawn, with the exception of the villain, who is a bit two-dimensional. The story's excitement and suspense as well as the emotional drama will ensnare readers. This interesting, affecting novel will definitely find an audience. Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ
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About the Author

Maureen Fergus is a writer and a business professional with a science degree from the University of Western Ontario and an MBA from McGill University. Her writing has appeared in magazines such as Today s Parent and Chatelaine. She lives with her husband and three children in Winnipeg, Canada and only occasionally serves KFC for dinner.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554534747
• ISBN-13: 978-1554534746
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,926,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will make you cry and think--excellent, April 14, 2010

By 

Lisa Barker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ortega (Hardcover)

I thought this was a really interesting story because it makes you think about animals and humans and how similar they are. This is a very believable story with excellent character development. I was both amused and brought to tears-an excellent unforgettable story that really makes you think long after the turn of the last page.

- R.C., 16 yrs old, [...]