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 Klaus and the fence, and the group’s ability to pivot as the situation changes (such as when Darren doesn’t show) exemplify the creativity and quick-thinking necessary to make the plan powerful. Together, Savannah’s determination and the resulting rescue show that children have just as much power to achieve their goals.

The storyline surrounding Ben’s narcolepsy shows how children require unconventional solutions to maintain their power in an adult-centered world. In Chapter 6, while Griffin discusses the sleep school with his dad, he thinks that Ben must go because “he was a kid in an adult world, and that was a powerless thing to be” (37). Ben has no say in the matter because Ben’s desire not to change schools (motivated by missing his friends) is viewed as less important than his narcolepsy by adults. This highlights the power dynamics at play between adults and children—adult reasons are often given more weight. While both Ben and his parents can likely agree that something needs to happen to help his narcolepsy, the decision to switch schools is made for him. Only later, when the school nurse discovers how the ferret helps Ben’s condition, do Ben’s parents start to realize there might be more options for Ben. Using the ferret as a support animal gives Ben power and agency because it offers a preferred way for him to get his narcolepsy under control. This power ultimately results in Ben staying at his school, showing how an unconventional solution gets Ben what he wants in a situation otherwise controlled by adults.

Operation Zoobreak II additionally shows how children can exercise power in adult situations. Unlike the previous two operations, Operation Zoobreak II puts the children in true danger from Mr. Nastase. Instead of panicking, the children assess the situation and work with what they have to save themselves. While the children could have called the police as Darren’s parents did, they realized that doing so would have exposed how they illegally broke into the Long Island Zoo. In addition, the police would take time to get there, and Mr. Nastase is an immediate threat. The children know they can call for help once they are safe and have the situation under control. Choosing to handle the situation themselves is risky but reveals forethought and understanding of their situation. The children know there will be consequences for their actions and thus seek a way to minimize those consequences. Organizing a plan to rescue Griffin and Ben using each person’s individual skills shows that the children have the knowledge and skill to get themselves out of danger without adult intervention.

Though children often must be more creative than adults, this does not mean that children are powerless. Adults have more resources and access to channels that children do not, but the events of Zoobreak reveal that children can accomplish just as much or more than adults when they use avenues that are open to them. As seen by the questionable legality of Griffin’s plans, having access to such power doesn’t mean it should be used, but just knowing the options exist is empowering and uplifting for young readers.