What the Orangutan Told Alice: A Rain Forest Adventure.

SMITH, Dale. What the orangutan told Alice; a rain forest adventure. Chinaberry Books. 179p. illus, c2001.0-9651452-8-X. $15.95. J

This short novel tells the story of 14-year-old Alice, who is given the power to communicate with the orangutan and thus is able to understand the conditions that affect the animal. She also learns about biodiversity and threats to the environment. The book is set in Borneo and the message is that humans must become more aware and more responsible for the Earth and all its creatures. Illustrations and photographs add to the story and the glossary defines terms that may not be familiar to the YA reader. The combination of fantasy and facts is appealing. Nola Theiss, Sanibel, FL