Zebra Forest

This quiet, sad book does some unusual things. I was struck by the relationship between the kids and their grandmother, that she struggles with dementia but is nevertheless probably the best caretaker they're going to get -- and their social worker knows it. That's not obviously the right decision, but I could see why everyone involved was making it. The same can be said for relationship choices later in the story, and told in flashback. I respect the shades of grey; nothing is tied up neatly with a bow here.

That said, for a short book with escaped convicts and a dangerous forest and summer adventures, very little happens. I found it lovely, but it will be a hard sell for almost any kid I know.

Zebra Forest was not what I expected—it was much better. I was a little wary about mature content for younger readers, and even warier since I'm a bit pathetic and easily frightened by scary, suspense-driven, or horror novels. But rest assured, this book packs a punch in plot without content that would be inappropriate for a YA audience. It was a fabulous read and I enjoyed it very much!

Although this book is aimed at readers ages 9-12, I suggest the reader be at least grade five and ready to handle the mature subject matter. That being said, it is a tame story. We read the story through the p.o.v. of a child. Other characters withhold information that a child should not receive (ie. no one actually talks about grandma's depression and show more the intruder does not give any graphic detail about his crime). Basically, it doesn't read like the hostage story that the publisher copy makes it sound like. It hooks the reader, but the story is actually an age-appropriate narrative that parents and educators can feel comfortable about.

I have to say I enjoyed the plot twist. It allows for some real character development in the story as the kids grow as a result of the situation at hand. The novel takes a hard look at the importance of family and forgiveness, but also moral choices and having to live with the consequences of one's actions. All "tough stuff" subjects that make for great exploration of character!

This is a fantastic read for young teens who like a bit of mystery, suspense, and drama. Adina Rishe Gewirtz's debut novel is beautifully written, memorable, fast-paced read and it is unlike anything I've read in a while. Definitely worth it to pick up a copy! show less

When eleven-year-old Annie first started lying to her social worker, she had been taught by an expert: Gran. "If you’re going to do something, make sure you do it with excellence," Gran would say. That was when Gran was feeling talkative, and not brooding for days in her room — like she did after telling Annie and her little brother, Rew, the one thing they know about their father: that he was killed in a fight with an angry man who was sent away. Annie tells stories, too, as she and Rew laze under the birches and oaks of Zebra Forest — stories about their father the pirate, or pilot, or secret agent. But then something shocking happens to unravel all their stories: a rattling at the back door, an escapee from the prison holding show more them hostage in their own home, four lives that will never be the same. Driven by suspense and psychological intrigue, Zebra Forest deftly portrays an unfolding standoff of truth against family secrets — and offers an affecting look at two resourceful, imaginative kids as they react and adapt to the hand they’ve been dealt. show less

Annie and her brother Rew live with their grandmother because their mom is gone and their dad is dead; so when their dad shows up at the door as an escaped prisoner, their world is upended. With Gran in a silent retreat behind the closed door of her room, it's up to Annie and Rew to figure out who are the good guys and the bad guys in their own story--and what they should do about it.

Grown-up portion of review:

The idea for this story is so good, but the book felt a little tired. Had it been more vigorously wrought, I think Gewirtz would have had a fair shot at a Newbery. And I'm still excited to see what she does next, now that she's got this first novel under her belt.

Annie and her younger brother Rew live with their elderly grandmother in a town called Sunshine. They've dubbed the woods behind their house "Zebra Forest" because of its black and white trees, but this book definitely explore issues that are not so black and white. An unexpected visitor arrives at their house via Zebra Forest and turns Annie and Rew's world upside down. The story takes place in the summer of 1980, but the only hint of that is Annie's fascination with the Iran Hostage Crisis. Annie and Rew share a love of [b:Treasure Island|295|Treasure Island|Robert Louis Stevenson|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1312023209s/295.jpg|3077988], which allows the author to explore themes of judging good guys vs. bad guys. This is a mature show more story about guilt, forgiveness, and the ties that bind a family together. While there's not a lot of action, there are questions that hang in the air and keep the reader engaged with the plot.

Speaking of the plot, it hinges on one big coincidence (a man breaks out of prison and the house he chooses to hide out in happens to be the house where his estranged children are living with their grandmother--believable only because the grandmother chose to live in a house very close to the prison, but if you can accept it, then I'd call this a little book (about 200 pages) with a big emotional punch.

If you like well-written stories about nontraditional families like [b:Summer of the Gypsy Moths|12860772|Summer of the Gypsy Moths|Sara Pennypacker|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1332510396s/12860772.jpg|18012637], [b:Sparrow Road|8730566|Sparrow Road|Sheila O'Connor|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348216824s/8730566.jpg|13603591], [b:What Happened on Fox Street|7883148|What Happened on Fox Street|Tricia Springstubb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1306188439s/7883148.jpg|11091314], or [b:One Crazy Summer|6609764|One Crazy Summer|Rita Williams-Garcia|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347436965s/6609764.jpg|6803731], this would be a good pick. show less

children's middlegrade fiction. Annie (11) and Rew (7 or 8?, her little brother) were left by their mom to the care of their grandmother and have been told all their lives that their dad was killed long ago by an angry man. As the story unfolds and the family is taken "hostage" by an escaped prisoner (who turns out to be--you guessed it), the children realize that is not exactly true--in fact, their dad was the angry man, in jail all these years for manslaughter. The story doesn't feel quite complete--the dad leaves abruptly after a couple months without incident (turning himself back in to the police) and there are other issues not quite dealt with, but there is enough substance here to make the story believable. (Note that the setting show more is 1979 and that the character is concerned with the Iran hostage situation, so kids will probably want to know more about that, if they're not familiar with it already.) show less

I'm not always drawn in to read a book solely because of its cover. The story has to grab my attention as well. But I'll admit that the evocative cover for Zebra Forest got me sucked in all on its own and I'm forever grateful. I don't think my short review here can do the book justice. So much unfolds in its slender pages. It's a book that seems relatively simple and innocent on the surface, yet there is such depth that I'm still thinking about it a few weeks later. And I love how the presence and imagery of the zebra forest emerges as an essential character in the family's lives. What a wonderful story. I recommend getting it on your read list!