"Set in the post-President-Kennedy 1960s, Wolf’s protagonist Jonathan carries the weight of an era of lost innocence on his twelve-year-old shoulders. As he prepares for his bar mitzvah and entry into manhood, his first day of school holds promise for a new start.
Unfortunately for Jonathan, he is placed in one of the “zoo” classes for under-achievers and slow learners. Jonathan tries to find his way amongst the other inhabitants of the “zoo” and takes some solace in knowing he was at least placed in the “upper zoo” and not the “lower zoo” where the real misfits were.
Upon the first day of class it becomes clear who “runs” their class, the darkly charismatic, but troubled Robey and his minions—cleverly called the “iron filings”.
Problems at home and school have created an environment that is tough for Jonathan to endure. Then in the most unlikely of places Jonathan finds hope. Clarence, one of the students in the dreaded “lower zoo” has attached himself to Jonathan. Autistic, Clarence is an easy target for school bullies.
At first Jonathan is grateful to Clarence simply because the poor boy redirects the bullies’ attention off Jonathan. As the weeks pass, Jonathan is drawn to the odd boy and he isn’t quite sure why."
If that whets your appetite, you can pre-order "The Upper Zoo" right now at Amazon.com!
