This is a cute story, but not one I would have in my classroom. There is a bit of dialogue that is not quite what I would want for my students to be reading and discussing. The premise is a young girl is adopted by a gorilla after a difficult time in an orphanage. It is unusual and a little out there, but a story that middle grade readers may enjoy. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to check out this book.

The Ape Star, by Frida Nilsson, is a book that will delight readers of all ages. Orphan Jonna is adopted by Gorilla, a literal gorilla, but one that wears baggy pants, drives a clunky car (badly), and runs a junkyard where she tricks her customers into paying more than the junk is worth. Trouble comes when a land developer wants Gorilla's junkyard to build a spa. He's taken over every other business in the area, and he will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Even accuse Gorilla of being an unfit mother. Can Jonna and Gorilla find a way to be together? Or will Jonna lose the only mother she's ever known, even if that mother is a gorilla?

An unusual premise, but a fun read that would make a great family read-aloud.

I received a copy of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Cute and fun. A very different story about a little girl and her adoption. Fun read. The illustrations added to the book's character.

Although the story was adorable with a good message of don't judge a book by it's cover, it would not be in my classroom. Although a great book to read at home, the way the kids talked to each other in the orphanage is not a manner I want to encourage.

The story itself is rather fun and unique, just not for me

I love this story of an orphan child who is adopted by a Gorilla, because, as she says later, she noticed she had dirty fingernails, and she, the Gorilla, always had trouble keeping them clean too.
Jonna hates being at the orphanage, but she always hates the idea of living the rest of her childhood with a gorilla.

What I love about this story is that although people don’t like the Gorilla, they still treat her just like a person, well a person that is overly hairy, and is not human.
I like that this book shows that people are not who they appear to be. That just because they look like something, they should not be judged by their cover.
And I love how absurd it all is.

It was a fun quick read, and most enjoyable. The bad guys are bad, and the bad guys are also good sometimes.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>