LitPick Review
This book is about a boy named Jamil Jamil, who is in a bad situation and looking for outside help. His mother is into drugs, and jumping from nasty boyfriend to nasty boyfriend. The latest one beats Jamil often. Even school isn't safe anymore; the principal has it out for him. The only place were he is comfortable is at his grandmother's house. She's also the only one who knows his secret. He can communicate with animals! One day while doing his homework, Jamil gets a message from Bette the elephant saying that there have been bad people at the zoo plotting to blow up the city. But what could Jamil do? He's just a kid. Can he save the city or will he be blown up with it?
Opinion:
I think that this book is interesting. I think it would have been better if it started in medias res. Instead, it is sort of slow starting. I like the fact that he can't actually 'speak' to animals. It's more like the animals and Jamil just know what the other is saying. There are too many books where animals talk. I also like the parts where the author explains why the terrorists are terrorists. It is a helpful insight, that helps the story I think. All in all, though it is a good book that I recommend to anyone who likes slow intros.
