Looking for Miza (by Isabella Hatkoff, Juliana Hatkoff, Paula Kahumbu)

This should be a compelling dramatic tale, but flat writing and a disjointed narrative make it somewhat disappointing -- a weaker entry in the popular series that includes Knut and Owen & Mzee. The retelling of Miza’s disappearance and recovery lacks suspense and emotional impact -- though that’s partly due to the fact that no one really knows what happened to Miza. The full-color photographs are generally fuzzy, overexposed, or have a digital sheen, but there are a few standouts: kids will delight in the image of a playful gorilla with its feet in the air.

However, there is much to appreciate in this glimpse of gorilla life in the wild, written by Craig Hatkoff with his daughters, Juliana and Isabella. They describe some of the social roles in gorilla families, the unique position of silverbacks, and the challenges facing family leaders. The appendix offers more information on threats to mountain gorillas and organizations dedicated to helping these endangered animals.