The Midnight Zoo

The Midnight Zoo
by Sonya Hartnett
illustrated by Andrea Offermann

After two brothers, Andrej and Tomas, narrowly escape an attack on their family by German soldiers, they must travel through the country at night as they struggle to hide from their attackers.   As Andrej and Tomas, along with their newborn sister Wilma, journey through war damaged towns, they suddenly find themselves in a destroyed, empty village with an unique attraction: a tiny zoo of ten animals.   Although they are at first frightened by the zoo animals, the boys soon learn that they have a lot in common with these animals as they all share their own stories of freedom and hope. 

The Midnight Zoo is a good choice for readers who enjoy animal stories as well as readers who like books that take place during World War II.   

Author's Website:  http://www.sonyahartnett.com.au/