The Zoo at the Edge of the World

From the author of The Bully Book comes a timeless story about a young boy, his father, and the world that comes between them, which New York Times–bestselling author Peter Lerangis called "magical, mysterious, fresh, original, and full of heart."

Marlin is not slow, or mute; what he is is a stutterer, and that makes it impossible for him to convince people otherwise. What he is also is a Rackham: the younger son of the world-famous explorer Ronan Rackham, the owner and proprietor of the Zoo at the Edge of the World, a resort where the well-to-do from all over the globe can come to experience the last bit of the wild left at the end of the nineteenth century.

In order to impress a powerful duke who comes to visit the zoo, Marlin's father ventures into the jungle and brings back a mysterious black jaguar, the only one in captivity. Everyone is terrified of it, including Marlin—until one night, when the jaguar confers upon him a powerful gift. Soon, Marlin finds himself with a difficult choice to make and, finally, something to say. If only he can figure out how to say it.

• A Magical Gift of Talking to Animals: When a mysterious jaguar grants Marlin the ability to speak to animals, he can finally express himself—but this new voice comes with a dangerous secret.
• A Complicated Father-Son Story: Marlin longs for the approval of his larger-than-life father, the famous explorer Ronan Rackham, but discovering his father’s dark side will force him to choose between family and what’s right.
• An Unforgettable Historical Adventure: Step back to the late nineteenth century in a richly imagined zoo deep in the wilds of British Guiana, where wonder and danger lurk behind every corner.
• A Coming-of-Age Mystery: As Marlin uncovers the truth about the jaguar, the zoo, and his own family, he must find the courage to speak up and become the hero he never thought he could be.

From the author of The Bully Book comes an unforgettable journey to the last blank space left on the map.

Praise for The Bully Book: “A gripping debut novel. A layered and attention-grabbing mystery. Gale’s accounts of bullying are subtle and chilling, but readers will finish the book believing that the humiliations Eric suffers can be conquered.” - Publishers Weekly

“A compelling and unusual look at a complex and intractable problem that succeeds admirably as story as well.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Fast paced, with strong character voice in the writing. Great for discussion.” - School Library Journal

“A killer jaguar, a zoo on a pyramid, a boy with a stutter who can talk to animals—this powerhouse novel doesn’t only tread the line between fantasy, action/adventure, and historical fiction, it dances on that line with wild abandon. Magical, mysterious, fresh, original, and full of heart, Eric Kahn Gale’s The Zoo at the Edge of the World will keep you at the edge of your seat.” - Peter Lerangis, New York Times-bestselling author of The Seven Wonders and The 39 Clues series

“Magical, mysterious, fresh, original, and full of heart, Eric Kahn Gale’s The Zoo at the Edge of the World will keep you at the edge of your seat.” - Peter Lerangis, New York Times-bestselling author of The Seven Wonders and The 39 Clues series

“Being able to talk to animals would be my favorite superpower ever, and the Zoo at the Edge of the World would be my favorite place to use it.” - Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan

“As Marlin communicates with the animals, Gale explores the complicated issues of animal captivity with intelligence and heart. Beautiful and fully absorbing.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Well-paced action, a complex-but not too complicated-plot, healthy doses of suspense, and a wild, well-developed cast of characters (human and animal) make this an enjoyable page-turner.” - School Library Journal