Zoobreak

The power dynamics between children and adults play an important role throughout Zoobreak. The children in the novel are resourceful and smart, but despite these qualities, they are still children in an adult world, which puts limitations on what they can achieve and the decisions they can make. Through Savannah’s drive to save Cleopatra, Ben’s impending change of schools, and the outcome of Operation Zoobreak II, Zoobreak explores how children exercise power and agency despite the limitations associated with youth.

The process Savannah goes through to find and rescue Cleopatra shows how children must be creative to wield power. When Savannah first realizes Mr. Nastase has Cleopatra captive, she investigates official channels, such as hiring a lawyer and getting a DNA test for the monkey, to prove Cleopatra is hers. However, while these methods are legal and provide an official path to Cleopatra’s freedom, they require adult intervention and resources that Savannah doesn’t have as an 11-year-old. Instead of giving up, she and the group develop a plan tailored to being a child in an adult world. Griffin’s zoobreak plan accomplishes what the children otherwise couldn’t do without help from adults. The successful scouting mission, the changes in the plan once they have more information about

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