Endangered

At the novel’s beginning, Sophie disagrees with her mother’s philosophy that how a person treats an animal reflects how that person treats other humans. How does Sophie’s opinion on this philosophy change, and what causes it to change?

Why does Eliot Schrefer writes the story from Sophie’s perspective? What impact does first-person narration have on the story and how it is told?

Discuss the significance of the novel’s title. Who in the book is endangered, and in what sense? How does this idea relate to the novel’s theme of survival?

What does the novel teach about suffering? Why would the author focus on such a sad theme in a novel designed for a young adult audience?

Examine Sophie’s interaction with Bouain in Mbandaka. Why does Schrefer include this scene, and what does it imply about the realities of being a man in war-torn Congo?

Discuss some lessons that Sophie learns from Otto and the other bonobos at the sanctuary. What do the bonobos teach her about life, love, and relationships? Choose specific examples from the text to illustrate your points.

What would you do to survive if you found yourself in a situation like Sophie’s? How would you ensure your safety, and what would you be willing to sacrifice in order to protect someone you care about?

Why do you think Sophie decides to stay in Congo when the war ends? What lessons does she learn on her journey to Ikwa, and how do those lessons change her?