mommamel11's review against another edition
5.0
This is not the kind of book I gravitate towards. I don't like reading about Africa or animals or war. It was recommended to me by an acquaintance and I shrugged it off. The I saw that it was in SLJ's battle of the books and I am trying to read all those this year.
This book is harrowing and incredible. There was a part of me that thought no one could possibly endure the circumstances this girl did. Then I realized that many children in war torn African countries are experiencing similar things. This book made me think about a lot that I don't normally think about: the state of the Congo; the precariousness of caring for endangered species, that teens are stronger than I give them credit for. I feel like I learned a grat deal but I wasn't preached to.
This book is harrowing and incredible. There was a part of me that thought no one could possibly endure the circumstances this girl did. Then I realized that many children in war torn African countries are experiencing similar things. This book made me think about a lot that I don't normally think about: the state of the Congo; the precariousness of caring for endangered species, that teens are stronger than I give them credit for. I feel like I learned a grat deal but I wasn't preached to.
constant_reader_19's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic book! This was a required reading for my daughter's 8th grade English class. Because I am a nosy parent, I read it too. Sophie and Otto were just lovable and brave.
melmelloves2read's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
5.0
Book #97 Read in 2013
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (YA)
Sophie goes to visit her mother in the Congo. Her mother decided to leave Sophie and her father (who returned to America) to run a bonobo sanctuary. On the way there, Sophie buys a young bonobo from a street vendor...a no-no according to her mother but Sophie couldn't leave the bonobo there. She names him Otto and becomes his surrogate mother. When a war breaks out, Sophie decides to not leave with the United Nations soldiers because they wouldn't let her bring Otto with her. She bravely remains behind and due to her intelligence and courage, she begins to journey to the island retreat where her mother was last known to be heading.
I read this book in one sitting. I had to know what would happen to Sophie and Otto. This book shows civil unrest, animal cruelty and what the lack of medicine can mean. It was a powerful read.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (YA)
Sophie goes to visit her mother in the Congo. Her mother decided to leave Sophie and her father (who returned to America) to run a bonobo sanctuary. On the way there, Sophie buys a young bonobo from a street vendor...a no-no according to her mother but Sophie couldn't leave the bonobo there. She names him Otto and becomes his surrogate mother. When a war breaks out, Sophie decides to not leave with the United Nations soldiers because they wouldn't let her bring Otto with her. She bravely remains behind and due to her intelligence and courage, she begins to journey to the island retreat where her mother was last known to be heading.
I read this book in one sitting. I had to know what would happen to Sophie and Otto. This book shows civil unrest, animal cruelty and what the lack of medicine can mean. It was a powerful read.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended by staffer Ellen J. Read her review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/539809769
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sendangered%20schrefer__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sendangered%20schrefer__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
wolfdreamer's review against another edition
5.0
At first, I assumed my love of this book was a bit biased due to my fascination with bonobos and all of the great apes. But as I read deeper and deeper, being dragged further into the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo and Sophie's story, I realized it was because Eliot Schrefer is a darn good writer. Even the supporting characters in this book are fascinating, some of them not even human. As each danger approaches, you truly wonder if Sophie is going to survive, even though there are still 100 or so pages left of the book. At times, I did have to put the book down, but only because I could feel my own heart beating as the tension built along with my stress level. And the ending was both believable and rewarding, something only the best authors know how to do. I am already prepped to read Schrefer's next installment (after I breathe a little) and await his future works, as well.
awall14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
usbsticky's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book as a free review copy.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a YA book, it reads fast, is quite exciting and I enjoyed reading about bonobos and the Congo.
Summary: American/Congolese girl is at her Mom's bonobo shelter when revolution breaks out. She is left alone and has to survive and escape to a safe place.
All the topics touched upon in this book are only touched on lightly and if the reader is interested, can do some more research. I suppose this is because this is a young YA book.
Bonobos: I actually did not know that much about bonobos or the difference between them and chimpanzees before. But a lot more information can be found about them if you just look at the wiki. And this book also has a lot on what it's like to be around them and what they are like on a more personal level.
The Congo: I don't know how suitable a subject the nitty gritty of the Congo is for young YA readers. This book touches on it a bit and leaves out a lot. But there is enough there for readers to know about the turmoil and the savagery of the war. A bit more can be found in the author's notes on the back and a lot more can be found on the web.
The above two topics are the main ones to be found in the book. I think the author created a fine balance between the realities of the Congo in real life and the readability of a book for young readers.
As a simple a book to be read and enjoyed, I loved all the passages on the bonobos. I wonder how many future zoologists, researchers or volunteers this book will create but surely that's a good thing. The meat of the book is on the survival of Sophie (the protagonist). As revolution erupts, she is left on her own and she has to make her way through the wilds, through encounters with the UN, revolutionary soldiers and other natives displaces by the war. It's quite realistic but the scary parts are toned down. The author's notes and Q&A in the back, though short, does a good job of answering questions and points the way for more info on the country and the bonobos.
I give this book a hearty 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a YA book, it reads fast, is quite exciting and I enjoyed reading about bonobos and the Congo.
Summary: American/Congolese girl is at her Mom's bonobo shelter when revolution breaks out. She is left alone and has to survive and escape to a safe place.
All the topics touched upon in this book are only touched on lightly and if the reader is interested, can do some more research. I suppose this is because this is a young YA book.
Bonobos: I actually did not know that much about bonobos or the difference between them and chimpanzees before. But a lot more information can be found about them if you just look at the wiki. And this book also has a lot on what it's like to be around them and what they are like on a more personal level.
The Congo: I don't know how suitable a subject the nitty gritty of the Congo is for young YA readers. This book touches on it a bit and leaves out a lot. But there is enough there for readers to know about the turmoil and the savagery of the war. A bit more can be found in the author's notes on the back and a lot more can be found on the web.
The above two topics are the main ones to be found in the book. I think the author created a fine balance between the realities of the Congo in real life and the readability of a book for young readers.
As a simple a book to be read and enjoyed, I loved all the passages on the bonobos. I wonder how many future zoologists, researchers or volunteers this book will create but surely that's a good thing. The meat of the book is on the survival of Sophie (the protagonist). As revolution erupts, she is left on her own and she has to make her way through the wilds, through encounters with the UN, revolutionary soldiers and other natives displaces by the war. It's quite realistic but the scary parts are toned down. The author's notes and Q&A in the back, though short, does a good job of answering questions and points the way for more info on the country and the bonobos.
I give this book a hearty 5 stars.
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
Endangered by Eliot Schrefer (2012)
If you follow the book award season, you've probably already heard about this National Book Award Finalist from 2012.
Either way Endangered is an Important book about the political unrest in the Congo and the horrible state of affairs for Bonobo monkeys in the area. Sophie spends every summer with her mother in the Congo and expects this year to be much of the same. Until she becomes the reluctant (and unlikely) foster mother to a baby Bonobo she names Otto. Then war breaks out and Sophie is isolated and trapped with the Bonobos at her mother's conservation preserve.
Schrefer went to the Congo to research this book and it shows in the details and nuances of the setting and Sophie's relationship with Otto and the other Bonobos. The story is gripping and exciting. Because of the emphasis on action and survival, this is a great book for any reader. Endangered would also be a particularly strong choice for reluctant readers and/or readers who are hesitant to read books with a female narrator.
Reading Endangered it is immediately obvious why this book was a National Book Award finalist. As the story progresses it is also apparent why this book did not ultimately win. While Sophie and Otto are great characters in a page-turning story, Sophie's voice was not always convincing. Sophie is fourteen during the events of the story. While her narration is insightful and contemplative, it also often sounds like a much older character. The epilogue is also frustrating. Without getting into spoilers it felt very incongruous to have an epilogue years later and have one of the supposed key things about Sophie's life be that she is engaged and has dated several boys. There were so many other things to say, other details to share. After a totally empowering, dramatic read the epilogue brought Endangered to a close on a slightly sour note.
*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2012*
If you follow the book award season, you've probably already heard about this National Book Award Finalist from 2012.
Either way Endangered is an Important book about the political unrest in the Congo and the horrible state of affairs for Bonobo monkeys in the area. Sophie spends every summer with her mother in the Congo and expects this year to be much of the same. Until she becomes the reluctant (and unlikely) foster mother to a baby Bonobo she names Otto. Then war breaks out and Sophie is isolated and trapped with the Bonobos at her mother's conservation preserve.
Schrefer went to the Congo to research this book and it shows in the details and nuances of the setting and Sophie's relationship with Otto and the other Bonobos. The story is gripping and exciting. Because of the emphasis on action and survival, this is a great book for any reader. Endangered would also be a particularly strong choice for reluctant readers and/or readers who are hesitant to read books with a female narrator.
Reading Endangered it is immediately obvious why this book was a National Book Award finalist. As the story progresses it is also apparent why this book did not ultimately win. While Sophie and Otto are great characters in a page-turning story, Sophie's voice was not always convincing. Sophie is fourteen during the events of the story. While her narration is insightful and contemplative, it also often sounds like a much older character. The epilogue is also frustrating. Without getting into spoilers it felt very incongruous to have an epilogue years later and have one of the supposed key things about Sophie's life be that she is engaged and has dated several boys. There were so many other things to say, other details to share. After a totally empowering, dramatic read the epilogue brought Endangered to a close on a slightly sour note.
*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2012*