Terror at the Zoo Book

Run for your life!

Ellen and Corey Streater couldn't have asked for a better birthday present -- an overnight camp-out at the zoo. But their dream gift becomes a nightmare when darkness falls. No one comes and they're locked in with the most dangerous animal of all -- an escaped criminal. He's stalking their every move, determined to kidnap them for ransom -- or worse! There's no time to waste. They're desperate to escape. They'll try anything -- even Ellen's crazy science project on animal communication. Can they talk to the animals and summon help before it's too late?

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-- An overnight camp out at the zoo turns into a nightmare for Ellen and her little brother Corey when an escaped prisoner also takes refuge there. Through a series of mostly implausible coincidences, they find themselves locked in the zoo grounds with a dangerous and desperate man who plans to hold them for ransom. Each of the several adults responsible for the children thinks someone else is with them, so no one comes to their rescue. Several pursuit scenes through the ominous dark lead the siblings to the Elephant Forest, where Ellen communicates telepathically with the elephants, spurring her favorite one to attack the man. The last minute arrival of the children's parents and a security guard prevents any blood from being shed. This highly improbable adventure is not up to Kehret's usual standards, but it will appeal to animal lovers looking for a spooky story. There is plenty of suspense, as the children are never sure around which dark corner the criminal lurks. A baby monkey and, of course, the heroic elephants add color to the story. Lightweight but entertaining fare. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro, NC