Ellen Streater received the perfect birthday present—an overnight camp-out at the zoo. Too bad she had to invite her little brother Corey along. But as night falls in the zoo, her brother becomes the least of her worries, as they discover they're locked in the zoo with an escaped convict who's stalking their every move. Unable to run, and with no help in sight, their last chance for survival is Ellen's crazy science project on animal communication. But can they get the animals to help them in time, or will it be too late? 

"A compelling and fast-paced mystery with characters that are believable and well drawn." —The Horn Book

"Plausible incidents and believable characters combine in a fast-moving and well-constructed tale." —Booklist
Peg Kehret was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Minnesota, spent 14 years in California, and now lives with her husband in Washington. Kehret’s novels focus on ordinary kids in exciting situations who must then use their wits to solve problems. Regularly recommended by the American Library Association, the International Reading Association, and the Children's Book Council, her works include Danger at the Fair, Cages, Dangerous Deception, and Earthquake Terror. Kehret’s autobiography, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, won the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, and the PEN Center USA West Award for Children's Literature. View titles by Peg Kehret

About

Ellen Streater received the perfect birthday present—an overnight camp-out at the zoo. Too bad she had to invite her little brother Corey along. But as night falls in the zoo, her brother becomes the least of her worries, as they discover they're locked in the zoo with an escaped convict who's stalking their every move. Unable to run, and with no help in sight, their last chance for survival is Ellen's crazy science project on animal communication. But can they get the animals to help them in time, or will it be too late? 

"A compelling and fast-paced mystery with characters that are believable and well drawn." —The Horn Book

"Plausible incidents and believable characters combine in a fast-moving and well-constructed tale." —Booklist

Author

Peg Kehret was born in Wisconsin, grew up in Minnesota, spent 14 years in California, and now lives with her husband in Washington. Kehret’s novels focus on ordinary kids in exciting situations who must then use their wits to solve problems. Regularly recommended by the American Library Association, the International Reading Association, and the Children's Book Council, her works include Danger at the Fair, Cages, Dangerous Deception, and Earthquake Terror. Kehret’s autobiography, Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio, won the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, and the PEN Center USA West Award for Children's Literature. View titles by Peg Kehret

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and addressing student wellness and mental health is critical to help children learn how to manage emotions, develop healthy identities, empathize with peers, and pursue individual goals. We created thematic guides and book lists to help foster important conversations to build an inclusive environment where emotions matter. Explore our social emotional

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