Kenneth Oppel

From the Printz-Honor-winning author of Airborn comes an absorbing YA novel about a teen boy whose scientist parents take in a chimpanzee to be part of the family.For thirteen years, Ben Tomlin was an only child. But all that changes when his mother brings home Zan -- an eight-day-old chimpanzee. Ben's father, a renowned behavioral scientist, has uprooted the family to pursue his latest research project: a high-profile experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills. Ben's parents tell him to treat Zan like a little brother. Ben reluctantly agrees. At least now he's not the only one his father's going to scrutinize.It isn't long before Ben is Zan's favorite, and Ben starts to see Zan as more

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In 1973, when a renowned Canadian behavioral psychologist pursues his latest research project--an experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills--he brings home a baby chimp named Zan and asks his thirteen-year-old son to treat Zan like a little brother.

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Oppel bases his first YA novel on projects in the 1970s which tested the capability of chimpanzees to acquire sign language. His setting, facts, and outcomes closely mirror events then, and we meet thirteen-year old Ben, an only child whose researcher parents adopt a neonate chimp, Zan, and rear him as part of the family. Readers are drawn into the tension between the emotional bond which Ben and his mother form with Zan, the demands of the research which dominate the attitude of Ben's more inhibited father, and the increasingly fraught relationship he has with his wife and son. Oppel also examines Ben’s teenage angst over his own personal relationships, and the ethics of animal experimentation in this absorbing novel.

"Astonishing"—The New York Times Book Review

A brilliantly funny, highly illustrated story about how a little ink splot changes a family forever. Perfect for those who love Hoot, Holes, or Frindle!

The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school--even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom.

Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together--and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.

Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book--not good--and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school--also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with the story--which is amazing! It's just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too--for Sarah he's a puppy. And for Dad he's a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It's exactly what they all want.

It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they--and Inkling--truly need.

• A New York Times Notable Book
• A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year -- top ten selection
• "A true-to-life family, some can't-put-it-down excitement, a few deep questions, and more than a little bit of magic. This book is everything, and I loved every page." —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medalist for When You Reach Me

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"Astonishing"—The New York Times Book Review A brilliantly funny, highly illustrated story about how a little ink splot changes a family forever. Perfect for those who love Hoot, Holes, or Frindle! The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school--even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together--and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything. Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book--not good--and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school--also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with the story--which is amazing! It's just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too--for Sarah he's a puppy. And for Dad he's a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It's exactly what they all want. It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they--and Inkling--truly need. • A New York Times Notable Book • A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year -- top ten selection • "A true-to-life family, some can't-put-it-down excitement, a few deep questions, and more than a little bit of magic. This book is everything, and I loved every page." —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medalist for When You Reach Me

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Get ready—a little ink blot is about to become your new best friend The Rylance family is stuck. Dad’s got writer’s block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school—even though he can’t draw. Sarah’s still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom so much more than they can say. Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance’s sketchbook. Then one night the ink of his drawings runs together—and leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything. Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple of chapters of his math book—not good—and the story he’s supposed to be illustrating for school—also not good. But Inkling’s also started drawing the pictures to go with Ethan’s story, which is amazing! It’s just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too. For Sarah he’s a puppy. And for Dad he’s a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It’s exactly what they all wanted. It’s not until Inkling goes missing that this family is forced to face the larger questions of what they—and Inkling—truly need. With this book, Kenneth Oppel has given us a small masterpiece of middle-grade fiction. Inkling is funny and fizzy and exciting, and it brims with the kind of interesting ideas and dilemmas that kids will love to wrestle with. And Sydney Smith has created wonderfully inky illustrations to bring the story to vivid life.

For most kids, summer means sunshine and freedom. But for Steve, it is a season filled with deep anxiety. His newborn baby brother is fighting to survive, his parents are exhausted, and a massive, ominous wasp nest is growing just outside his house. Then, the dreams begin. A mysterious, glowing wasp queen appears to Steve while he sleeps, offering a chilling promise: she can fix his sick baby brother. Desperate to help his family, Steve thinks his prayers have finally been answered. All he has to do is say yes. But Steve soon realizes that yes is a powerful and dangerous word. As the strange angels from his dreams reveal their true, terrifying nature, Steve must uncover their real plan before time runs out. This haunting, beautifully illustrated gothic mystery explores the intense bonds of family, the nature of fear, and what it truly means to be perfect. Dive into a suspenseful, eerie masterpiece that will keep you on the edge of your seat as Steve battles both his own worries and a very real, buzzing threat.

Blast off into ten incredible stories that will whisk you away to amazing "Other Worlds"! What if your brand-new robot shoes decided they had a mind of their own and started a rebellion? Or what if a group of friendly ghosts needed your help to find the perfect new home? Get ready to meet brave heroes, discover planets you've only dreamed of, and laugh out loud at silly surprises around every corner. This collection is packed with adventures that take you from the farthest reaches of outer space to magical lands hidden just beyond your imagination. Explore what happens when everyday life gets a little bit weird, and discover fantastic possibilities with each new tale. Perfect for young readers who love exciting journeys and discovering the unexpected.