The Midnight Zoo

The Midnight Zoo is a poignant historical fiction novel set during World War II, following twelve-year-old Andrej, nine-year-old Tomas, and their baby sister Wilma. After their Romany family is tragically killed by soldiers, the children flee, eventually finding an abandoned zoo in a destroyed village. Here, the miraculously surviving animals share their own stories, offering allegorical insights into loss, survival, and the profound meaning of freedom. This lyrical and evocative book, praised for its prose and depth, explores the futility of war and questions of responsibility, making it a powerful read for mature elementary and middle schoolers.