Sleepover Zoo

Krystyna J. Higgins is the former book review editor for the Catholic
New Times.

Antonina Maria Amadeo—or Toni, as she much prefers to be called—has
been at Renforth Elementary school for only three weeks. So far she has
made one good friend (the loyal and easygoing Meghan) and one potential
enemy, Leona, who is popular, fastidious, and snobbish. To Toni’s
consternation, Leona, having heard rumors about her family’s
“weird” house, coaxes her into a sleepover invitation. The problem
is that Toni’s house is, if not weird, then certainly unconventional.
Her parents work at a clinic for sick and injured animals, and bring
many of their “patients” home to recuperate alongside the family’s
own pets. The household includes Duke the irrepressible Great Dane,
Avery the aquarium-fishing kitten, Mortimer, a parrot who loves his
coffee, and a basement full of exotic birds, not to mention Bruno,
Toni’s teasing teenage brother. Despite the enormous potential for
catastrophe, by the end of her visit Leona has learned that
“different” is not necessarily bad, and all ends well.

This immensely entertaining chapter book on the themes of identity and
belonging combines believable characters and realistic dialogue with
over-the-top humor and exaggerated settings. Wesley Lowe’s
straightforward black-and-white illustrations enhance the opening page
of each chapter as well as key moments in the plot.

This hilarious book about a universal growing-up dilemma is sure to
keep young readers turning the pages and laughing out loud. Highly
recommended.