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For some reason I found this incredibly tiresome. The writing isn't bad, and the zoo setting is lovely and well-realized, but many things about the premise and plot seemed off, and the protagonist seemed like a spoiled brat, destined for an adulthood as a Nice Guy. And if his name is supposed to be, literally, Whit Whitaker--that seemed very comic book and added to the non-realistic feel. Augh. So much irritated me about the characters and their backstories and what kept feeling like apologia. Y
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The premise will draw in the animal lovers in the audience since main character, Whit, lives at the zoo with his parents who work there. Since he is also homeschooled by a private teacher, he lacks friends his own age. He also feels that his parents consider the needs of the zoo to be more important than his. He makes friends with a girl who comes to the zoo each day to draw, but actually she is avoiding her home life. The back stories of the various characters did not completely convince, and t
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Whit has grown up at the zoo. His mother is the director and his father the head elephant keeper. Most kids might think this is a great way of life, but Whit feels like his parents care more about the animals than they do about him. One day he notices a girl about his own age drawing pictures of the birds. As he gets to know her better he finds out her name is Stella. It turns out that Stella is spending a lot of time at the zoo b/c it's safer than being at her house with her abusive, alcoholic
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Cute story. Very sweet. Started a bit slow, but liked the story much better as it went on.
Summer #bookaday 16
Jun 05, 2012
Kathleen
marked it as to-read
Jul 14, 2012
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
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Jul 24, 2012
Lola
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Sep 19, 2012
Donalyn
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Sep 20, 2012
Mr. Wojahn
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Nov 02, 2012
Sarah W
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Jan 07, 2013
Rachel
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Jan 28, 2013
Kathy
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May 25, 2013
Holly
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Oct 21, 2014
The Styling Librarian
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