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emmkayt's review against another edition
4.0
Based on a pair of real experiments with primates in the 1970s, this is set in 1970s Victoria. The thirteen year old protagonist's world is turned upside down when his family re-locates to the West Coast so his parents can run an experiment involving raising a baby chimpanzee as a member of the family - sort of - in hopes that they can teach him sign language. Very readable and absorbing, and thoughtfully raises some very serious animal rights issues. I did find the writing a little flat, in that there were no turns of phrase or manners of expressing something that really made me take notice, but it was overall very good. My ten year old read it first and loved it! (but it does involve the 13 year old lead going to a beach party with drinking, and 'making out' with girls - probably it is aimed at kids a bit older ...)
mindi_r's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those quite books of 2010 that didn't get a lot of buzz when it came out should have. This is the story of Ben and his "half-brother" Zan, a chimp his parents have brought into the house for behavioral research. Ben at first does not appreciate having a baby chimp in the house, but as Zan begins to learn sign language, and Ben spends more and more time with him, his opinion of Zan changes, and Ben decides he would go to any lengths to make sure Zan stays safe.
becxreadz's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Liked
*Zen and Ben's relationship
*The boy pov
*Family relationships
*Animal character
*Good narration
Disliked
*Not one I'd reread. Sometimes too much from the boy pov
*Zen and Ben's relationship
*The boy pov
*Family relationships
*Animal character
*Good narration
Disliked
*Not one I'd reread. Sometimes too much from the boy pov
sarahbowman101's review against another edition
3.0
It's 1973 and Ben's scientist dad bring home a baby chimpanzee to study the effects of ASL language learning. Initially Ben resents that the chimp, Zan, is raised as part of the family, but has a change of heart and the two grow close. Ben also struggles with typical teenage stuff of school, parents and getting with the hot chick. Animal rights features throughout the narrative, not overpowering but enough to possibly be a deal breaker for some. The end was a little too adventure-y for me, but it was interesting and could easily be recommended to many readers especially guys who may be interested in science but not science fiction.
zelma's review against another edition
4.0
Great story about what it means to be human and what makes a family. I've enjoyed Oppel in the past and he does a great job evoking Zan's (the chimp) emotions throughout the story without anthropomorphizing him too much. The 14-year-old narrator is also quite believable, emotional about his family while still worrying about girls and his place in school. The end is a bit rushed but works without being too perfect/far-fetched. Enjoyable overall and definitely recommended if you want your heart strings tugged at a bit.
hezann73's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness. This book. I loved it. It really made me think about animals testing of all kinds and what happens to the animals when the experiment is done. The last quarter of the book was hard to read and I think I had tears in my eyes the whole time. I wanted an ending that I know couldn't be, but I wanted it just the same. I also think the author did a fantastic job of capturing the feelings of a young teen.
Middle school
Middle school
tea_rex_love's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me cry. Not sobbing, but tears came to my eyes and overflowed. I love Zan, the chimpanzee, and I hated that he was raised to be a human, and then all of a sudden he was expected to act like his kind. It made me sad that nothing was forever in this book, which is reality, but it still made me sad.
lillyabollinger's review against another edition
4.0
Its an amazing, well-written novel! There's definitely a powerful family theme, and beautiful character development! I don't know anything about chimps, but it was really realistic in the science aspect and behavior aspect. I very highly recommend it!