SuitabookThe Ape Star
Frida Nilsson
- Reading
- Read together if the adoption threat may feel personal, pausing to notice Jonna’s changing feelings and the characters’ choices. Afterwards, compare the story’s idea of family with the child’s own understanding.
- Themes
- Unconventional family and belonging: Jonna is adopted by a gorilla, and the two discover common ground while building a bond. The book presents this favourably.
- Prejudice, justice and outsiders: A council official threatens to send Jonna back, while the book addresses prejudice and being an outsider. The framing positions prejudice, greed and dishonesty as obstacles and highlights compassion, courage and different perspectives in response.
- Adoption uncertainty: Jonna hopes for adoption, is chosen by the gorilla, and later faces the possibility of returning to the orphanage. The situation is presented as emotionally significant, but the available details do not establish whether the threat is resolved or how the ending frames it.
- Worth knowing
- Consider whether a child would want support while reading about orphanage life, adoption uncertainty and the possibility of being sent back. The ending and degree of distress are unclear.