Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 12/01/2012 Gr 8 Up—Fourteen-year-old Sophie rescues Otto, a young chimp, while spending the summer at her mother's bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When the president is assassinated and war breaks out, Sophie has a chance to return home to the United States but cannot bear to leave Otto. Their journey to safety takes them into the bonobo enclosure, but the real danger begins when they venture out and risk encountering rebel soldiers. Schrefer excels at imbuing the bonobos with individual personalities and endearing quirks. The bond between Sophie and Otto is so expertly depicted that it almost seems like a parent/child relationship, and readers will readily relate to the anguish the girl feels as she debates leaving her pet behind. The novel tackles tough ethical dilemmas without offering easy answers and delves into racial politics (Sophie's mixed racial heritage influences how others treat her), giving the book a nuanced tone. Schrefer portrays painful scenes in unflinching detail, and his powerful use of language drives the story forward. However, Sophie often seems preternaturally skilled for a teenager who has spent limited time in the Congo. Several moments stretch plausibility, such as when she rescues Otto from a group of soldiers or when she becomes leader of the bonobo tribe. Additionally, because Sophie is recounting the story as an adult looking back, her voice is often far more mature and polished than most adolescent protagonists. Yet despite the flaws, this is a poignant and moving story.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal - Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Bulletin for the Center... - 01/01/2013 Fourteen-year-old Sophie is temporarily living with her mother, who runs a protected bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sophie’s relationship to the apes is governed more by her heart than her head, and her heedless decision to buy an abused bonobo from an impoverished and unscrupulous dealer has grave consequences when war comes to their region. Mom is away at a remote release site when the rebels take Kinshasa, and Sophie turns down the opportunity to be evacuated in order to stay with her new charge, Otto. The rebels attack the sanctuary buildings, slaughtering most of the staff, but Sophie makes her way deep into the forested area behind the electrified fence and learns to live the bonobo lifestyle. There’s no permanent security here either once the power goes out, so Sophie and Otto hit the rebel-infested road, making their way toward the release site where she hopes to find her mother and protection. While there’s a lot of luck required to get Sophie to her happy ending, the carefully orchestrated details of her perilous trek and of the resilient ape community make her journey compelling. Sophie herself is one resourceful girl, relying on her knowledge of bonobo behavior and survival skills to make it to the release site alive. The fact that both her future and those of the bonobos hang in the balance doubles the stakes in this taut drama. EB - Copyright 2013 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.