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.

Finding Your Voice: Marlin has always been defined by his stutter. But when a magical jaguar gives him the ability to talk to animals, he finally has something to say—if he can find the courage to speak. Jungle Adventure: Set in a sprawling zoo on an ancient pyramid in 19th-century South America, this story is filled with the thrills and dangers of the wild. Animal Fantasy: When the zoo’s majestic and terrifying black jaguar speaks to Marlin, it unlocks a secret world where all animals have a voice, and a powerful friendship is forged. Complex Family Dynamics: Marlin must navigate his relationship with his larger-than-life explorer father and his cruel older brother, learning that family can be as wild and dangerous as any jungle.