What do you think?
Rate this book
American Girl Mysteries
Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery
Kit lands a summer job writing a children's column for her local newspaper. She decides to look for story ideas at the Cincinnati Zoo, where her friend Stirling works as a guide and her old friend Will, the hobo, has a job cleaning cages. As Kit noses around the zoo, she stumbles into some strange doings in the monkey house. Her reporter's instincts tell her that she's onto something worth investigating--and she's determined to get the story.
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
16 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ernst
53books367followersI grew up in Maryland, in a house full of books! Both of my parents were avid readers, thank goodness. Before we traveled to a new area, my librarian-mom used to bring home historical novels set in that place. It was a great way to get excited about history.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 6, 2023
The great AG marathon continues. Again, reading for the first time as an adult. Here's what stands out:
- We've advanced the timeline so that we're now two years after Kit Saves the Day*, allowing Ernst to give us some new boarders at the Kittredge house (gotta have new faces to provide enough suspects) as well as introducing new people at the zoo. The zoo setting is a lot of fun, especially the discussions around barless enclosures for the animals - a new innovation at the time.
- Like Rebecca, Kit's career aspirations are a key part of her characterization, so naturally we see her continuing her relationship with the local newspaper editor. Fumbling a story because she puts it off while focusing on a different story she likes better is so age appropriate it hurts. Of course, investigating a news story as a way into a mystery is far from a new concept, but it's perfect for Kit.
- Stirling is prominent in this one - still a good friend, but by this point he's barely recognizable as the sickly boy from the first book. Love that for him.
- The conclusion reminded me a lot of Rebecca's botanical garden mystery "A Growing Suspicion"** in that the culprit turns out to have understandable reasons for their actions, and the people in power react with kindness. As I said for that one, cynical-adult-brain needs some suspension of disbelief for everyone to be this reasonable, but it is nice to see solutions that satisfy everyone we care about.
*Specifically, we're in 1935, which took me aback, as the year on the cover of Kit's core series is 1934. I had assumed that Saves was already taking place in '35! But if you go back to Meet Kit, it turns out that we do actually start the series in 1932. Tripp drops it into the text early on (the Depression had begun "about three years ago") and then confirms it in the Peek into the Past section. Other cases where the year is not the year: Molly, who starts in 1943, and Julie, who starts in 1975.
**Yes, this was written first. No, they weren't written by the same author.
More Kit babble
Meet Kit | Kit Learns a Lesson | Kit’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Kit | Kit Saves the Day | Changes for Kit
Really, Truly Ruthie
Kit’s Home Run | Kit’s Tree House | Kit’s Short Story Collection
Danger at the Zoo | Midnight in Lonesome Hollow | A Thief at the Theater | Missing Grace | Intruders at Rivermead Manor | The Jazzman’s Trumpet | Menace at Mammoth Cave
- We've advanced the timeline so that we're now two years after Kit Saves the Day*, allowing Ernst to give us some new boarders at the Kittredge house (gotta have new faces to provide enough suspects) as well as introducing new people at the zoo. The zoo setting is a lot of fun, especially the discussions around barless enclosures for the animals - a new innovation at the time.
- Like Rebecca, Kit's career aspirations are a key part of her characterization, so naturally we see her continuing her relationship with the local newspaper editor. Fumbling a story because she puts it off while focusing on a different story she likes better is so age appropriate it hurts. Of course, investigating a news story as a way into a mystery is far from a new concept, but it's perfect for Kit.
- Stirling is prominent in this one - still a good friend, but by this point he's barely recognizable as the sickly boy from the first book. Love that for him.
- The conclusion reminded me a lot of Rebecca's botanical garden mystery "A Growing Suspicion"** in that the culprit turns out to have understandable reasons for their actions, and the people in power react with kindness. As I said for that one, cynical-adult-brain needs some suspension of disbelief for everyone to be this reasonable, but it is nice to see solutions that satisfy everyone we care about.
*Specifically, we're in 1935, which took me aback, as the year on the cover of Kit's core series is 1934. I had assumed that Saves was already taking place in '35! But if you go back to Meet Kit, it turns out that we do actually start the series in 1932. Tripp drops it into the text early on (the Depression had begun "about three years ago") and then confirms it in the Peek into the Past section. Other cases where the year is not the year: Molly, who starts in 1943, and Julie, who starts in 1975.
**Yes, this was written first. No, they weren't written by the same author.
More Kit babble
Meet Kit | Kit Learns a Lesson | Kit’s Surprise | Happy Birthday, Kit | Kit Saves the Day | Changes for Kit
Really, Truly Ruthie
Kit’s Home Run | Kit’s Tree House | Kit’s Short Story Collection
Danger at the Zoo | Midnight in Lonesome Hollow | A Thief at the Theater | Missing Grace | Intruders at Rivermead Manor | The Jazzman’s Trumpet | Menace at Mammoth Cave
November 1, 2018
A fun mystery that doesn't involve desperate criminals or dangerous crooks. I enjoyed reading this book and learning about the Cincinnati Zoo. While I wouldn't say I wanted to read it again, I wouldn't necessarily object to a reread.
This is not a Christian book, but there is no language or objectionable things.
This is not a Christian book, but there is no language or objectionable things.
May 11, 2020
This is the second American Girl book that I read and to my surprise I actually enjoyed it more than the first one. I thought it had a better plot. The story was more complex and it had a double mystery.
The story is set during the Great Depression. Young Kit wants to be a journalist. And her family home is now a boarding house. The first mystery revolves around someone who is stealing food from her house.
The second mystery is at the zoo.. apparently someone wants to steal a monkey from the monkey house. But who? And why?
Both mysteries have many different suspects.
I did guess all of the mysteries easily. Of course I'm an adult and the book is aimed at kids. One can easily use clues and logic to figure out who the culprits are. In some cases it's the behavior that gives it away. In other cases it's other things. But I did like that this book had two mysteries and many suspects (while the first book I read only had one suspect). It makes guessing more fun and you can use your brain to put the clues together.
The story takes place at the Cincinnati Zoo, which is really amazing as I've been watching YouTube videos from that zoo! What are the odds?
The story is set during the Great Depression. Young Kit wants to be a journalist. And her family home is now a boarding house. The first mystery revolves around someone who is stealing food from her house.
The second mystery is at the zoo.. apparently someone wants to steal a monkey from the monkey house. But who? And why?
Both mysteries have many different suspects.
I did guess all of the mysteries easily. Of course I'm an adult and the book is aimed at kids. One can easily use clues and logic to figure out who the culprits are. In some cases it's the behavior that gives it away. In other cases it's other things. But I did like that this book had two mysteries and many suspects (while the first book I read only had one suspect). It makes guessing more fun and you can use your brain to put the clues together.
The story takes place at the Cincinnati Zoo, which is really amazing as I've been watching YouTube videos from that zoo! What are the odds?
October 23, 2023
Kathleen Ernst, you did it again! 🐒
March 18, 2024
Kit learned exactly two new words in this book: Unscrupulous and Skulk. She then went on to use both of them more than any other word.
November 14, 2022
I wasn't really a fan of Kit when I first read her main series, but with the extra stuff she's really starting to grow on me.
Re-read 2022: Very good for the American Girl mysteries. There's multiple, intertwined puzzles, all of which can be figured out by clues present in the book. The Cincinnati Zoo setting is used well, giving a look at a zoo on the verge of change. If you've seen one of the old school, concrete and bars enclosures, you'll fully understand just how revolutionary more naturalistic enclosures must have been. The one thing I'm not sure about is the story seeming to conclude on Will staying with the Kittredge's, or at least in Cincinnati. There's already a lot of characters in the Kittredge house, and it feels like fundamentally changing part of Will's character to make him another one of the boarders.
Re-read 2022: Very good for the American Girl mysteries. There's multiple, intertwined puzzles, all of which can be figured out by clues present in the book. The Cincinnati Zoo setting is used well, giving a look at a zoo on the verge of change. If you've seen one of the old school, concrete and bars enclosures, you'll fully understand just how revolutionary more naturalistic enclosures must have been. The one thing I'm not sure about is the story seeming to conclude on Will staying with the Kittredge's, or at least in Cincinnati. There's already a lot of characters in the Kittredge house, and it feels like fundamentally changing part of Will's character to make him another one of the boarders.
May 31, 2016
Kit's spunk and bravery was especially spectacular in a time when there was so much to be disheartened about. The diversity of the boardinghouse was good to see, and the zoo setting was a lot of fun! I liked that the bad guy really wasn't bad, and that everything worked out for the better in the end.
October 24, 2012
I thought that this book was good. I liked the mystery, but it wasn't that eye catching, and it also wasn't that much of a page turner
April 28, 2024
Really well done! The history of the Cincinnati Zoo is fascinating (don't miss the end notes complete with wonderful photographs and facsimiles) and this Kit mystery is notable in that it features a real-life historical figure, Sol Stephan, who ran the Cincinnati Zoo for 51 years. Zoos are controversial today, and I'm glad meaningful conversations about conservation and animal right and welfare continue. Sol was instrumental in developing large, natural-looking enclosures so that the animals no longer had to be in literal cages, believing this to be better not only for guest experience but for animal welfare. He was "an expert at handling not only animals but also people, and he inspired great loyalty among his workers. When times were hard, he was known to give his workers money out of his own pocket. [He also] loved children and arranged for Cincinnati public schools to visit the zoo twice a year so that the students could study the animals. In 1934 he started a children's radio program [and in the 1930s also began] the Zoo Guides program with Boy Scouts leading tours of the zoo" (which is what Sterling does in this story). The mystery here is solid and I appreciate that, while we may frown at some of the activities through our 21st Century lens (such as owning an animal for a circus act), through Ernst’s deft pen, we can also feel understanding for these people of yesteryear who loved their animals and wanted the best for them (even if, in an ideal world, they would have been free and in the wild).
April 27, 2020
Mom and I did this as a read aloud.
First off the book had a great historical presence, but as for the characters, particularly the main heroine Kit she seemed very bland. Not that she has no personality just that it seems she has so little, besides, it feels like, the basic Kit likes and dislikes. One example being that Kit wants to be a newspaper reporter but besides that she has the basic wants of a 13-15 year old girl.
As for the story it also starts of really slow. Again it not bad, but the mystery does not really to take shape/appear half way through the book and with the book being only 160 pages that not a lot of time to really get a mystery going.
As for the ending it was what made the book strong. (Mom and me guess that it is a good idea that the books keep getting stronger as it goes, but honestly with the way the cover looks and the way the synopsis makes it sounds. The ending felt like it lives up to those promises.)
Over all it was a good middle grade book and a fine book to read aloud.
First off the book had a great historical presence, but as for the characters, particularly the main heroine Kit she seemed very bland. Not that she has no personality just that it seems she has so little, besides, it feels like, the basic Kit likes and dislikes. One example being that Kit wants to be a newspaper reporter but besides that she has the basic wants of a 13-15 year old girl.
As for the story it also starts of really slow. Again it not bad, but the mystery does not really to take shape/appear half way through the book and with the book being only 160 pages that not a lot of time to really get a mystery going.
As for the ending it was what made the book strong. (Mom and me guess that it is a good idea that the books keep getting stronger as it goes, but honestly with the way the cover looks and the way the synopsis makes it sounds. The ending felt like it lives up to those promises.)
Over all it was a good middle grade book and a fine book to read aloud.
February 11, 2018
A very interesting mystery book, one I actually didn’t solve while reading. Kit thinks she’s going to do a simple article on one aspect of the zoo but she dug deeper and found more. It was a very fascinating and different read.
Kit gets a job as a journalist for the local paper and is assigned a children’s column one she’s not interested in. She plans to create her own column and one that would be more interesting and she finds that with thin the zoo. As she studies her topic of interest she find that there are secrets going on and something a lot deeper than she expected and no matter how hard she tries to stop investigating she can’t until she has the answers.
Kit gets a job as a journalist for the local paper and is assigned a children’s column one she’s not interested in. She plans to create her own column and one that would be more interesting and she finds that with thin the zoo. As she studies her topic of interest she find that there are secrets going on and something a lot deeper than she expected and no matter how hard she tries to stop investigating she can’t until she has the answers.
July 22, 2024
Because of boredom and kawalan ng kuryente, I read this story, and I actually finished it today in one sitting. Though it was my first time reading a mystery story in full English, I enjoyed it. I'm really sorry for all of the characters that are present in this story. I know, I judge them all—expect Kit, the protagonist. I thought all of them were the culprits in letting the cage unlock, and I didn't expect that Ruby was one of them. Just read the story if you want to know the whole story. Ahh, this story gave me a headache, but yet I enjoyed it!
⭐⭐�.5 / ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
⭐⭐�.5 / ⭐⭐⭐⭐�
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2023
It took me a bit to get into this book, but I'm not sure if it's the book or my mood that was the blame. Either way, Kathleen Ernst is no Sarah Masters Buckley and the book gets a bit heavy handed at times, though I appreciate what she was trying to do. I enjoyed both Kit and Stirling in here (especially Kit, in the part with her first newspaper story) but I felt they could have been written better. (And where was Stirling's mother??) 3.65 stars
September 29, 2024
Mr. 4 pulled this off the library shelf after reading the Kit Short Story collection. Since our Addy Short Story Collection was still being processed through interlibrary loan, we decided to read this. Much like the Molly mystery book we recently read, this one was quite good too. These mysteries feel a bit less formulaic than the traditional American Girl 6 book sets. We both enjoyed this one.
Read
January 14, 2025What a fun read! I had a feeling about one of the mysteries in the story, but there was still some surprising elements. I will say, the most interesting thing about this would be learning more about the real life Sol Stephan, the superintendent in the book. By the standards of the 1930s, he seemed to be a great animal lover who cared for the wellbeing of them.
February 5, 2021
Harper age 8: Danger at the Zoo Visiting the Cincinnati Zoo to write a story for her column, Kit Kittridge stumbles into some strange doings in the monkey house. Her reporter's instincts tell her that she's onto something.She found out that is was really it's owner looking for it a hobo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2024
4.5 stars. My first AG mystery and it was so much fun. It's technically two mysteries for Kit to solve. The one at the zoo and the one about things going missing at home as well. I had a great time reading this.
May 11, 2024
I was on the edge of my seat! I made lots of predictions about what the ending would be� some were correct, some were less so! I thought the ending wrapped up all the loose ends beautifully� including Kit stating her goals of reporting!
May 20, 2017
This is such a good mystery. There's not an actual sense of danger, but there definitely is suspense. I love how Kit has grown up. This is a very good story with loose ends tied up nicely.
May 21, 2020
Such a fun mystery for young readers!
July 5, 2020
I learned so much about the zoo! I’d really like to visit someday!
May 14, 2022
Really been enjoying reading these series to my sister!
June 14, 2022
Kit has always been my favourite American Girl so this was a good time
January 29, 2024
This was a surprisingly well-crafted mystery and I appreciated that there weren't any bad guys. Well intentioned people in tough circumstances make some poor decisions that likely could have been prevented with some honest communication. There were lessons about what happens when we judge others too quickly and a good amount of interesting history about what life was like during the Great Depression. Kit is a fun character to root for! And it wouldn't be an American Girl book without the "Looking Back" section in the back which provided more real-life info and pictures of the Cincinnati Zoo!
March 18, 2024
Typewriters out for Harambe
July 4, 2024
A nail biter of a mystery
September 16, 2024
Loved seeing the return of Will!
April 7, 2025
Good story!
Kit and her time is so interesting
Kit and her time is so interesting
August 28, 2018
This book was awesome, I loved everything and Kit was an awesome detective/journalist. I loved how American girl books have a setting showing what times were like in American history, and in this case I like how it shows what like was like in Cincinnati during the depression.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.