The Council of Animals
(Young Adult Book)

"Now," continued the cat, "there is nothing more difficult than changing an animal's mind. But I will say, in case I can change yours: humans are more useful to us outside our bellies than in." Perhaps. After the Calamity, the animals thought the humans had managed to do themselves in. But, it turns out, a few are left cowering in makeshift villages. So the animals have selected ambassadors to vote on whether to help the last human stragglers... or to eat them. As they debate and deliberate, each animal must reckon with the role it has been conditioned to by humans. Dog served in war as man's right-hand ally; Cat rather appreciated domestication; Bear's time in Hollywood left her with doubts. Horse is more interested in finding sugar cubes than voting. Crow fears the humans pose a danger to his nest. And then there's Baboon. Baboon calls for order and safety from the mess the humans have created, but his bald attempts at swaying the council belie ulterior motives...