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Cyberia

Monkey See, Monkey Don't
by Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch Cyberia: Monkey See, Monkey Don't 137 pp. Scholastic 11/09 ISBN 978-0-545-02794-6 $16.99 (Intermediate, Middle School)
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In this second book in the projected series (Cyberia, rev. 1/09), unlikely animal-rights agitator Zane, having just completed two months of house arrest and reclaimed his "Gizzard" (a prototype of a device that allows him to communicate with animals), dives right back into the mix. Zane's nemesis, Dr. Gristle, has proceeded to the next step of his "modest little experiment at controlling every single living thing on earth"—namely, creating an army of mind-controlled macaques. While Zane's trusty terrier tries to keep him on the path to saving the animal kingdom, Gristle implants post-hypnotic suggestions in the other direction by way of Zane's new pet bird Alfalfa. Zane's sudden unreliability as a narrator adds a new level of interest to an already offbeat take on the classic theme of crusading for the oppressed, while Alfalfa's and the brainwashed monkeys' attempts to retain their selfhood despite Gristle's puppeteering amp up the tale's poignant aspects. As in the first volume, the short, direct narration and dry dialogue keep the action zipping along and invite between-the-lines reading. Gristle's plan to take over the world one macaque-enslaving household at a time will make readers curious as to just what that world is—high on technology and low on human contact, it is intriguing but still minimally developed, leaving plenty of open space for sequels to explore. CLAIRE E. GROSS
Gr 4-6 This slim sequel to "Cyberia" (Scholastic, 2008) begins with a caged Zane counting down the minutes until his release from his room, which has become his prison. He has been confined for the past two months for trying to thwart evil veterinarian Dr. Gristle and his attempts at animal mind control. Once Zane is released, the doctor gives him a bird with a chip implanted in it that will brainwash the boy as he sleeps with the hope that Gristle will learn his secret of how he communicates with animals. At first Zane doesn't notice the brainwashing as he's so caught up in his deepening abilities, but his dog, Hugo, is instantly suspicious. When the doctor gives Zane's family a monkey as a servant, it is up to Hugo and Zane to ward off Gristle's attempts at mind control and figure out a way to set the animal free. This book has little of the humor and techno-talk of the previous book and it fizzles rather than sizzles. The plot doesn't go anywhere, and much of the story feels like filler for the next book. Very few of the plot threads come together in the end, and the monkey seems completely pointless, especially when so much of the story focuses on Zane and the bird."Necia Blundy, Marlborough Public Library, MA" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.
In this sequel to Cyberia, Zane's nemesis, Dr. Gristle, has created an army of mind-controlled macaques--and planted post-hypnotic suggestions in Zane. Zane's sudden unreliability as a narrator adds a new level of interest to an already offbeat take on the theme of crusading for the oppressed. Short, direct narration and dry dialogue keep the action zipping along and invite between-the-lines reading.

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