Threatened

Starred review from December 2, 2013
Schrefer switches focus from bonobos to chimpanzees in this engrossing, meticulously researched, and gripping tale of survival in the deep wilds of Gabon, a thematic follow-up to 2012’s Endangered. Luc, a 13-year-old orphan and debt slave, is hired by Prof, who wants to become the first African “janegoodall,” and the two venture into the jungle to study the chimpanzees that dwell within. When tragedy strikes, Luc is left alone, forced to survive by any means necessary. Forging a tentative truce with a small family of chimpanzees, he ekes out a desperate though increasingly satisfying existence. As man and “mock man” grow to understand one another, they take on all manner of threats, including human hunters, animal predators, and even another chimpanzee tribe. Schrefer’s passion for the material and empathy for the characters shows on every page, and his non-human subjects are every bit as complex and fascinating as narrator Luc. The setting comes fully to life, and Schrefer pulls no punches as he showcases the beauty and danger of both urban Gabon and the jungle. Ages 12–up. Agent: Richard Pine, InkWell Management.

Starred review from January 15, 2014
The author of Endangered (2012) introduces another primate species, offering a poignant demonstration of connection between chimpanzees and humans. When AIDs orphan Luc goes into the Gabon jungle with professor Abdul Mohammed, a scientist who frees him from his bondholder and plans to study chimpanzees in the wild, the resourceful boy finds a surprising new family and makes a real home. Luc's story is riveting and seldom comfortable, for him or for his readers. The chimpanzees are aggressive, but they are not as lethal as the leopard or as personally dangerous as the bushmeat hunter the professor frightens away or Monsieur Tatagani, determined to return Luc to his stable of street boys. Drummer, the young male chimp Luc rescues from a trap, and Mango, his toddler sister, have personalities as real and appealing as the boy himself. Luc's first-person narration is so lively and detailed readers won't notice that he seems remarkably acute for a 12- or 13-year-old, even one who has watched his mother and baby sister die and lived, afterward, by his own wits. The particulars of his daily life Inside--where Gabonese believe humans shouldn't go--will enthrall those who enjoy adventure, and the intimate glimpse of chimpanzee daily life is a treat for nature lovers. Engrossing action and characters readers will keep thinking about in a splendid survival story. (Adventure. 12-16)

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February 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-After the death of his mother and sister, Luc is left in the hands of a moneylender, Monsieur Tatagani. One of many orphans forced to do Tatagani's bidding, Luc has found a way to be useful and earn a few coins wiping glasses in a bar in Gabon. One night a man shows up with a monkey and a silver attache case, claiming to be a researcher sent by the National Geographic Society to study the chimpanzees in the interior. The mysterious man, called "the Prof," offers Luc a job as his helper. From this modest beginning comes a tale of survival and discovery for both humans and chimps. There are no easy answers here, but deep themes are explored. The plight of the endangered chimps is brought to the attention of readers, as are the challenges of socioeconomic status and geographic realities of Gabon. There are times when Luc's voice as an uneducated orphan adolescent seems vivid and real, at other times less so. Still, the valor and soul of Luc is captivating. Fascinating and sure to lead to discussion.-Carol A. Edwards, Denver Public Library, CO

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2014
Grades 8-12 Schrefer's Endangered (2012) painted a compassionate portrait of the bonobos of the Congo; here he turns to Gabon, chimpanzees, and the plight of orphans who have lost their parents to AIDS. Luc lives with other young orphan boys under the roof of Monsieur Tatagani, an unscrupulous man who exploits his charges. Professor Abdul Mohammad, a prosperous-looking Arab, meets Luc and hires him as his assistant, taking him deep into the jungle to study chimpanzees. Luc discovers he has an interest and aptitude for the work, and he thrives under Prof's tutelage. All too soon, though, Prof disappears under mysterious circumstances, and Luc must survive on his own. With only Prof's tiny pet vervet for company, Luc watches and learns from the chimps. When humans again appear, it's clear we as a species are far less civilized than the chimps. Of special note is the tender, nonjudgmental portrait of Prof, a closeted gay man who lies about most things, but provides the first caring home Luc has known in years. Schrefer's landscape descriptions are rich and evocative, and his characters, both human and chimpanzee, are complex and fascinating.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
Gabonese teen Luc assists the mysterious "Prof," a self-described "world-renowned expert on chimpanzees." Sturdy and determined, Luc becomes an astute chimp observer. Schrefer, in this carefully researched companion to Endangered, gives readers an exciting adventure story while deepening their understanding of primates. The book is filled with sensory detail, and the characters, human and nonhuman alike, are well drawn. Reading list.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2014
As a young boy, Luc cowered in terror at the nighttime screams of the "mock men," the chimpanzees in the forest surrounding his village in Gabon. Years later, after being orphaned by AIDS, the teenager is scraping by in the city when he encounters the mysterious "Prof." This self-described "world-renowned expert on chimpanzees" pays off Luc's debts to the brutal Monsieur Tatagani and takes the boy into the forest to assist in his scientific studies. Sturdy and determined, Luc becomes an astute chimp observer, overcoming his childhood fears as he comes to understand the creatures. When disaster strikes, he not only figures out how to survive but finds a new family, home, and vocation as well. Schrefer, in this carefully researched companion to Endangered (rev. 1/13), gives readers an exciting adventure story while deepening their understanding of primates and their place in the natural world. The book is filled with sensory detail -- the city and jungle settings pulse with vitality -- and the characters, human and nonhuman alike, are well drawn. Schrefer's compassion and empathy for the people and chimpanzees and other animals of this part of Africa come through loud and clear. Back matter includes an informative author's note, recommendations for further reading, and suggestions for how to help stop animal cruelty. monica edinger

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)