About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with difficult questions about justice, the ethics of how we treat others, or the complex responsibilities that come with love. It is particularly resonant for families navigating the arrival of a new sibling or those experiencing a shift in family dynamics that leaves a child feeling overlooked. Set in the 1970s, the story follows thirteen-year-old Ben, whose father brings home a baby chimpanzee for a language experiment. Ben is told to treat the chimp, Zan, like a brother. As the line between scientific subject and family member blurs, Ben must find his own voice and stand up for what he believes is right. This is a sophisticated, emotionally challenging read for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers that explores empathy, the limits of science, and the weight of moral accountability.
