It's perfectly legal to own a gorilla in Alabama. That doesn't mean it's a good idea. Twelve-year-old Claire Buckins learns this the hard way. Before her grandfather lost his zoo to bankruptcy, a baby gorilla was rejected by its mother there. Claire's mom, who had been working at the zoo and caring for the baby, brought baby Sula home for safer keeping. The temporary situation turned into a long-term one as the family grew to love Sula. Years later, as the story begins, Claire and Sula share a special bond and communicate with simple sign language and Claire's speech.
But Claire feels isolated from other kids, who consider her strange, and Sula is outgrowing her yard and has needs that can no longer be met by humans. She cleverly learns how to escape the Buckins' property, causes havoc at Claire's school, and destroys a neighbor's garden. When the law comes in, it is ordered that Sula be rehomed within 30 days or she will be euthanized. This is devastating for Claire. She wants freedom and a natural gorilla life for Sula, not a dreary future in an artificial zoo.
It takes research and developing friendships to get Claire close to finding a solution for Sula. But before she can complete her plan, Sula breaks free again, this time to a forest where she is pursued by one of Claire's hunter classmates and his fierce dog. A boy Claire once had a crush on joins in, but Claire can't tell if he is a friend or foe.
Will the forest chase end well or in tragedy? And, even if they should survive, will Claire ever truly be able to find happiness for a gorilla that is too wild for a human home, too gentle for a jungle, and too intelligent for a zoo?
Following the story is back matter with information about gorillas and suggestions for how readers can help them.
Although one of the main characters is a girl, there are two important secondary characters who are boys, and this is an adventure book, not a "girly" book. It is intended for all kids, regardless of gender. The story is written in a kid-friendly but not juvenile fashion, and could be enjoyed by animal-loving teens and adults as well.
