Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo by Charles Tang

playfulness.
    â€œCould we go to the Monkey House now?” Benny coaxed.
    â€œYes, we’ve saved the best for last,” Violet said, walking toward the chattering monkeys.
    A monkey swung by one arm from a branch, another carefully peeled a banana and ate it. They jumped from the trapeze to the trees, and it was hard to tell one from another.
    Benny, his eyes following each one, tugged on his ear, puzzled. “Where’s Amos? I know exactly what he looks like.”
    â€œHe’s probably hiding behind those rocks,” Henry answered, chuckling. “Don’t worry, he’ll come out when he wants to.”
    Benny watched more closely. Amos’s tin cup lay on the ground. “No,” he said in a choked voice. “He isn’t in there.”
    Jessie, Violet, and Henry joined Benny in trying to spot Amos. They knew how much Benny cared about him.
    â€œWhere could he be?” Benny asked.
    â€œMaybe Pat took him out for an examination,” Jessie said reassuringly.
    Sadly, Benny shook his head. “No. Maybe someone has kidnapped him.”
    â€œWe’ll find out right now,” Henry said.
    They hurried out of the Monkey House. Henry spotted Edward by the Lion House.
    â€œEdward,” he called, running to meet him. “Is Amos being examined?”
    Edward appeared startled. “Why, no. Isn’t he in with the others?”
    â€œWe can’t find him,” Henry said. “Could he be hiding?”
    Edward hurried over to the Monkey House and scanned each monkey. “He’s not there,” he said calmly. “We’ll start a search, but there’s no way he could have gotten free.”
    Benny’s lowered lip trembled. “I knew it. Someone stole Amos. He’d never leave his tin cup behind unless he was snatched up before he could grab it.” He reached in and grasped the cup and hugged it to his chest. Then he put it in his back pocket.
    Jessie stared at the monkeys. If anything happened to Amos she knew how sad Benny would feel. Where could the poor little monkey be?

CHAPTER 10
    Mac and the Monkey
    O n the way home from the zoo Henry tried to coax a smile out of Benny, but no matter what he did to cheer him, his little brother remained sad and silent.
    â€œI’m sure Amos will turn up,” Violet assured him. “He probably found a way to get out of the Monkey House, and he’s hiding somewhere near.”
    Benny gazed at her with big brown eyes. “I-I hope so,” he said in a shaky voice.
    When they arrived home, Grandfather immediately noticed Benny’s unhappy face. “What’s wrong?” he questioned, leaning over and lifting Benny’s chin.
    â€œE-Everything!” Benny stammered, fighting back tears. “Amos is gone!”
    Grandfather looked inquiringly at Henry.
    â€œYes,” Henry answered. “The monkey has vanished. But,” he hastened to add, “I’m certain he’ll turn up.”
    â€œMe, too,” Jessie said. “I remember a story Pat told me about a zoo in California. There was this tiger who had lived in his enclosure for several years. Then one day a dynamite blast startled him, and before the unbelieving keepers’ eyes, the tiger leapt over the moat as easily as if it didn’t exist.” She glanced at Benny to see if he was listening. “So you see, animals can escape from their homes if they want to.”
    Benny stared at Jessie. “What happened to the tiger?”
    Smiling, Jessie said, “The zookeepers were able to capture him and put him back in his area. And he’s living there to this very day.”
    â€œThe tiger just got out by himself?” Benny asked, a glint of hope in his eyes.
    â€œThat’s right,” Jessie said, placing a comforting hand on Benny’s shoulder.
    â€œMaybe,” he said in a hesitating voice, “Amos is waiting for Edward to put him back with his friends right