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The Zoo at the Edge of the World

by Eric Kahn GALE
4 CDs. 4:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2015. $46.75. ISBN 9781490658766. digital download.
COPY ISBN
Gr 4–6—Marlin Rackham is the son of a world-renowned adventurer and explorer who leads expeditions into the wild South American jungle, bringing back exotic animals for his zoo. Marlin's profound stutter makes communicating with people difficult, but he's always been able to speak smoothly to the zoo animals. However, he never comprehends their chatter until a mysterious black jaguar bestows upon Marlin the ability to understand animal speech. Marlin's newfound power enables him to see the caged animals' side of things, and he begins to question the ethics of and motives behind his father's exploits. Narrator Julian Elfer does a phenomenal job bringing this fast-paced adventurous tale to life. He imbues each character and animal with different personalities and voices, and his pacing is perfect.
VERDICT This title will complement science units focusing on people's relationship to the ecosystems around them, and it will also prompt discussions about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity.
Reviewed by Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA , Aug 01, 2015

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