Rescued by Eliot Schrefer

Rescued is a YA realistic fiction book about animal rights and endangered animals. When John was a kid, his dad stole an orangutan from his homeland, Sumatra, to be his pet. Raja and John were inseparable for years, but now John is 16, and his parents are divorced. Raja lives with his dad, and John lives with his mom. John has not seen Raja or his dad for years, but now his dad can't take care of Raja anymore.

His dad sends Raja to the only place that will take him, Friendlyland. When John researches, he discovers that they have a history of abuse and neglect. John sneaks into the place and gets Raja back. Eventually when he realizes that Raja is not rightfully his, he will do everything he can to send Raja back to his home in Sumatra where he belongs.

The connection between Raja and John is one of a kind. John considers him his brother. Raja clings to John and loves him. They even have their own language. The only thing that I did not like was that John seemed too mature to be 16, and that his parents did not seem to be assertive and were too carefree.

John had a lot of self-conflict. He loves Raja, but deep down he knew that he was not his to keep. I like that he fought for animal rights. This book is inspirational in showing how animals deserve rights, and that they do not deserve to be abused or taken advantage of. Rescued also shows the importance of protecting animal habitats and that animals have feelings, too.

I recommend that you read this book! Eliot Schrefer has written two other good animal books that I have reviewed.

Click here to read my review of Endangered.

Click here to read my review of Threatened.

Title: Rescued
Author: Eliot Schrefer
Publisher:  Scholastic Press
Pages: 272 Pages
Series: No
Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads