Mercy on These Teenage Chimps

by: Gary Soto

Published by: Harcourt

Reviewed by Kristin Grabarek

Gary Soto, author of Accidental Love, offers another helpful work of fiction to teenagers stuck in the dramas of puberty, young love, and physical education classes. Mercy on These Teenage Chimps is an account of Ronnie and Joey, who both wake up on their thirteenth birthdays and discover that they have become chimpanzees overnight.

Ronnie and Joey are not literally chimpanzees, though one would be hard pressed to convince them of that in the midst of all the monkey-related humor in this novel. They are young men transitioning from childhood to adulthood by way of facial hair, body odor, and an attraction to a young lady at their school. It is in front if this young lady that the P.E. coach humiliates Joey, who then promptly decides to perch himself in a tree and not come down.

Ronnie, a loyal friend, attempts to rectify the offense, and to convince the cute girl to give Joey a chance. And if these two feats were not enough for a plot line, Ronnie also must confront bullies, his P.E. coach’s estranged marriage, and his own struggles to accept himself. Despite his preoccupation with his similarities to monkeys, Ronnie manages to overcome, bringing this charming novel to a close with a flurry of awkward heroism.

Young readers will easily identify with the likable Ronnie and Joey. This amusing story of friendship and self-acceptance is sure to be a hit with adolescent males.

Note: This reviewer recommends this book to teenage boys who come into a major metropolitan library where she coordinates youth services.

Armchair Interviews says: Good to see a book for teen, especially boys.