Willa loves getting treasure that falls into the Monkey Pit at the zoo even if it means she has to climb onto the ledge to get it. Getting in trouble for going on the ledge means that mama takes her dangly earring treasure. Thinking of an idea to get it back, Carter, a little boy, comes to look at the Monkey Pit and has a conversation with her. He also leaves his new backpack and he needs it for school tomorrow so Willa decides to leave the zoo and find Carter.

I enjoyed this story. I found it fun and interesting. I liked that Willa made friends outside of the zoo. The best ones were the chipmunks. Exploring the world outside the zoo was fascinating as Willa learned what was good and what was unsafe. Meeting some mean critters and people taught her to hide but she does not let it deter her quest. The other characters, especially Carter, are good. Villains abound as Willa tries to help. A good story for beginning readers.

Awesome Sauce

This is a Kilworth animal tale, one of what I refer to as his animal Quartet. House of Tribes is about mice, once mouse in particular, Pedlar. Pedlar was a Hedgerow mouse who felt called to enter the House, where he meets the house mice who are divided into various tribes. Eventually the tribes until to fulfill a quest or two.

This book is charming. I love the fact that the various species of animals (mice, cats, and dog) speak different, if recognizable languages. The mice are different enough, and there is a sense of community.

There are some wonderful uses of humor in this novel as well

I have read this book so many times, and I still weep at some points.  This is Watership Down meets the gospels meets Easter philosophy - with moles instead of rabbits.

Just so wonderful.