About This Book
Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel is a compelling historical fiction novel set in 1973, focusing on 13-year-old Ian and his family. His behavioral psychologist father initiates an ambitious experiment: raising a baby chimpanzee, Zan, as a human child to study advanced language acquisition. Ian is tasked with treating Zan as his little brother, leading to a profound, often challenging, bond. The book delves into themes of family, identity, ethics in science, and the complex nature of human-animal relationships. It's a thought-provoking read that will spark discussions about animal welfare, communication, and what it truly means to be family.
In 1973, when a renowned Canadian behavioral psychologist pursues his latest research project--an experiment to determine whether chimpanzees can acquire advanced language skills--he brings home a baby chimp named Zan and asks his thirteen-year-old son to treat Zan like a little brother.
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Discussion Prompts
1
If you were Ian, how would you feel about having Zan as a brother? What would be the best and hardest parts?
2
Do you think the experiment was fair to Zan? Why or why not?
3
What does this book teach us about communication, both between humans and between humans and animals?
4
How do Ian's feelings about Zan change throughout the story? What causes these changes?
5
What responsibilities do humans have towards animals, especially those we bring into our homes or use for science?
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