Do You Know the Monkey Man?

by Dori Hillestad Butler

When Samantha was three, her twin sister died, her parents divorced, and her father left. Sam's life has never been the same.

Now that she's thirteen, Sam can't stop wondering about her past. Why hasn't her father tried to contact her all these years? How could he have allowed Sarah to drown? And how can her mother expect her to accept some man she hardly knows as her new father? Samantha already has a father out there. Somewhere.

A fateful decision sets into motion a chain of events and confrontations that will change Samantha's and her family's lives forever. As she sets out to find her father and discover what really happened the day her sister drowned, she uncovers painful secrets that threaten to destroy her family all over again.

Dori Hillestad Butler's sensitive story draws readers into a suspenseful mystery about a flawed but loving family trying to heal.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Teen

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 18, 2005

About the author

Dori Hillestad Butler is an American author of more than 40 children's books, as well as magazine stories, plays and educational materials. Her first book, The Great Tooth Fairy Rip-Off, was published in 1997. She is known particularly for The Truth about Truman School, a 2008 young adult title focusing on the subject of cyber bullying, and for My Mom's Having a Baby (illustrated by Carol Thompson), which in 2011 appeared on the American Library Association's list of most commonly challenged books in the United States for its portrayal of conception and childbirth. Her 2010 mystery title, Buddy Files: Case of the Last Boy, won the 2011 Edgar Award for the best juvenile mystery published in 2010. Before becoming a children's author, Butler worked for three years as a page at a library.

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fantastic. Just when you think the story will go one way, it goes another. It kept me on my toes the entire time.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story about a young girl who gets it into her head that the twin sister she thought was dead, might very well be alive! Off she goes on a well-intentioned search. The plot was thoroughly engaging, and I thought that the topics involved handled well. The situation Sam was in was not easy. She reacted as an angsty 13-year-old in that circumstance WOULD have. So did the surrounding characters. It was definitely realistic fiction.

I would like to add:
The reading level is 3.8, but several references, including the visiting of a psychic, are far above that level. It's not the comprehension that raises the level in my eyes, but the maturity needed.

[Ronica Stromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating book about a twin girl, Sam, seeking to find her father, who her mother divorced years ago after Sam’s sister drowned while in his care. I figured out what was coming in the first half of the book, but I read a lot of mysteries and usually know the solution even sooner. This was a fresh plot for me, and the characters, dialogue, and setting—my home state of Iowa—rang true. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really good. I liked how Samantha (the main character) never forgot about her real father and her twin sister who drowned when they were little. She knew that her dad was still alive, but she didn't know where he was. When she goes to visit a Psychologist because she wanted to find out where her father was, she hears something that changes her thoughts. The Psychologist tells her that her sister really isn't dead, that shes still alive. Samantha couldn't get this thought through her head though. It was impossibe...or so she thought. She decided to get into this "mystery" a little more. She found old newspapers, old boxes, and talked to her mom about her sister. Her mom didn't seem so sure that her sister was still alive though. She told her that her sister drowned at the local Cleaarwater quarry when they were 3 years old, that it was impossible for her to still be alive. But Samantha didn't give up so easily. She was determined and tried everything to get in contact with her father and her sister. This determination helped her along her journey to find this missing part of her family.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

First chapter they visit a psychic to find her dad and after flipping through the book to find the answer to that burning question, the explanation I read was blahhh at best. I understand her dad's rejoining but at the same time not really. Also, the sister bit wasn't the best and it didn't surprise or thrill me. It didn't make me want to keep reading past the first chapter.

[Cookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and flew through it. I loved thinking about the possibilities. It was somewhat predictible until there was an unexpected twist. I wish there was more to the ending. I wanted to know more by the time I finished.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery book for all grades

[Serena Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in 5th grade circa maybe… 2011?? I came across this book in my school’s library and immediately fell in love with it. I would continuously check it out and go home and read it all over my house and to my sister. Next thing you know, I am being moved by my mom all the way to Texas and went through so much trauma I totally forgot about the book until my freshman year of college. I ordered it on Amazon during quarantine but never picked it up until now, almost 5 years later.

Let me tell you. This book has just become even more special to me. It already was in the sense that it’s one of the only books from my late elementary school years that I remember totally loving. But now, it’s because of the weird similarities I find between myself and the main character, Sam. Well first off, she lives in Iowa! Where I grew up! And although we dont find out about her mom wanting to move her away from her dad to go to Florida (my Texas), she spends the whole book trying to get closer with her dad and reach out to him as best as she can and find that connection between them. Although our situations are drastically different (my dad never left me), I find that Sam and I were going through similar emotions and analyses of our parents around the same ages.

I know that 10 year old me would never have been able to guess where my life would so be headed or how much more relatable this book would become (obviously take that with a grain of salt bc I dont have a dead twin sister and all that), but this book has become that much more comforting. The only thing I remembered about this book was the plot twist but with a 23 year old brain, I understand so many more perspectives in the story and it was really nice to go back and read it with fresh eyes. I love this book so much I am keeping this copy forever.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do You Know the Monkey Man? By Dori Hillestad Butler. 201 pages. Peachtree, 2005, 2018. $8. Content: G. REPRINT
MS – ADVISABLE.

When Samantha was three, her twin sister drown in a boating accident. Ten years later, a psychic tells her that her sister is very much alive. Now Samantha wants to track down the father she hasn’t heard from for so long and clear up this mystery.

Wow – has it really been thirteen years? While I still not fond of the chosen title, I like this new cover so much better than the original. If you can get students to pick it up, they will still love reading about Samantha’s mystery.

Cindy, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[KB2788 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was suggested to me by a fellow teacher when I was looking for a realistic fiction book to introduce to my seventh grade students. She told me that her kids were obsessed with it and immediately picked up the sequel. I now understand why. I couldn’t put this book down. The mystery surrounding Sam’s family was enthralling, the subject was intense but still shockingly on level for middle school readers. I am so excited to teach this book and hear their reactions! Best mystery I’ve read in a while!

[Dironego Jabberwocky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Si tu torrente sanguíneo te exige progesterona adolescente, te suplica sumergirte en las divagaciones de una niña de trece años, si tu mente requiere de un respiro de tantos clásicos y de obras con temas mucho más escabrosos y densos, si tu alma de TV Azteca te implora una historia similar a la película Juego de gemelas, si a tus ojos les apetece gozar de una lectura sencilla y rápida mientras toman un respiro para leer otras novelas, Do you know the monkey man? es la opción.

[Sharon Falduto]

A juvenile fiction mystery novel with an intriguing plot about a young girl trying to find her father and tie up loose ends regarding the death of her twin sister. Had to borrow this one from my kid after I started reading the first couple pages when she left it lying around. Now I guess I'll have to wait for her to check out "Yes I Know the Monkey Man."

[Cass Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t like the book at all, it wasn’t realistic and very immature of the girl to run off to find her dad without telling her mom. She kept doing things that put her in danger and just was dumb. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.

I thought it would have been kinda funny based of the title but it wasn’t.

[Erika Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, quick read! I bought this book at a Scholastic fair back in middle school, probably around the time it was published, and I’ve had it ever since. I decided to read it again, because it had been so long. It is a book for an age group waaay younger than I am now, but I love it as much as I did then. It’s probably the book that introduced me to thrillers and mysteries.

[Reagan Wetlaufer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot, and it didn't take me long to read. The story was suspenseful and I really felt emotional for the characters. I like how hard working and determined Sam is in this book. I will definitely read more Mystery books, even though at first I wasn't sure about the genre.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

First i wasn't sure if i like it, but it ended up being really good.

[Emma Berhost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book to read, it made me not want to out it down.

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, quick little read to help me reach my challenge. I honestly could've read this in about a day or two but there's this stupid little thing called work...

[Sheila TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging--I think students would like it, but no one has been taking it. I can probably booktalk this.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid and it was my favorite book for years.

[Ximena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The sequel is also really good

[Lathika · Rating 5 out of 5]

do you know thee Monkey man is on Sam's point of view.
Great story
Grabs your attention

[Carissa Elsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do You Know The Monkey Man is one of the best books I have ever read. Such a great plot and eveen better ending.

[Kin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me feel like screaming its so good. Like I would probably forever recommend this book. But like even though I read the second book first it's still good.

[Nickolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Definitely should read if you like mystery books. The main character development is the only reason I dropped a star. It's okay, but it could be better

[Erinn Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for upper elementary aged kids. Suspenseful and keeps the reader reading.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout my various publishing internships, I managed to collect quite a number of books. Some were received as payment for my services, others I found particularly intriguing and actually purchased, and a few I selected strictly based on a striking jacket. Two summers ago, I interned with an independent children’s publisher in Atlanta called Peachtree. It was here I came across Do You Know the Monkey Man?. The title immediately caught my eye and I knew it would make a fine addition to my collection.

I DO have a confession to make…I acquire books at a rate faster than I can actually read them. I have wonderful intentions, but many find their way on my bookshelves only to move farther and farther down my “to read” list. Falling behind the new paranormal teen romance, crime thriller, and even trashy beach read (aka Playground) “Do You Know the Monkey Man” waited patiently on my shelf until this past week. Little did I know, I had a quiet gem all along…

Thirteen year old Sam Wright wants answers and she is going to do anything to find them. She lost her twin sister Sarah when she was three years old in a horrible canoeing accident, and her father mysteriously disappeared shortly thereafter. Sam’s mother is now getting remarried and she must deal with idea of having a new Stepfather. In addition, Sam has been having strange dreams about her dead twin and an eerie feeling that she is somehow still alive. “Do You Know the Monkey Man” takes readers on Sam’s physical and emotional journey of finding her biological father and discovering the truth about her family’s past.

I needed an additional cup of coffee this morning because after getting halfway through the book last night, I quickly realized I would not be able to put it down until I was finished. It was fast paced and suspenseful and my interest forced me to each following chapter. The author, Dori Hillstead Butler, does a wonderful job of relaying the complex emotions of an early teen who is trying to find her place in a broken family.

Teens and adults alike can learn a valuable lesson from this book. We live in a world where we are constantly in search of the unknown, the better, the “greener grass” of life. While at times we do find what we are looking for, sometimes along the way we learn to appreciate the life we have and the people who are in it. The message of the story is a beautiful one: there is no single definition of family. Family is a feeling, an emotion. It is comfort, dependability and trust. Family is love.

The sequel is entitled Yes, I Know the Monkey Man and I assure you, this one won’t sit on the shelf.

[Mahalia Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a girl named Sam. She has a twin. She was told that her twin sister had drowned. Since the police didn’t find any evidence of her sister’s body in the river, Sam decides to go talk to a psychic to find out if her sister was really dead. And Sam also wanted to know where her father was. And why he stopped sending post cards. So, Sam went searching for her father also. But the psychic told Sam “your sister is alive and doing well.” But, Sam said, “My sister is dead.”

Sam didn’t believe the psychic, so she went looking for her dad to find out what really happening to her sister TJ. Well Sam’s mother was getting married soon. But, Sam wants to find her real father. She has not accepted Bob for her stepfather. When Sam left home, she left her mother a note. She went and found her father and her sister. Sam’s sister was kidnapped by her father, Joseph. Joseph had told TJ her mother and sister died. Now since everyone knows that TJ is alive now things have gotten worse because TJ doesn’t want to live with her mother or her sister.

TJ she wanted to live with her dad, because she had lived with her dad for ten years. And I read that the judge decided it was up to TJ who she wants to live with since her mother and father were not divorced yet. So, her father had the right to keep the other twin daughter, TJ, at that point in time. So, TJ lived with her father. And Sam she grew to love Bob as her stepfather. Then I read that TJ got a bus and came over to Sam and her mother and smiled. “Hey” she said. Sam said “Hey” back.

What I think about this story is that Joseph should have told the truth in the beginning and everything would have worked out all right. That’s my opinion. I liked this story a lot! I could read this again there was so much going on. I liked it because it has a good ending where everyone lives happily ever after and that the family kept in touch with each other.

[Julia Harre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do You Know the Monkey Man by Dori Hillestad Butler is not only a fantastic, funny book to read, but there are tons of plot twists that make you never want to put the book down. The author did a great job of making the book full of surprises, so that the reader never knows what's coming next. The beginning of the book was a little confusing because you don't know the whole situation yet, but as it goes on the author does a good job of making it feel like you are actually there. The book starts off with Sam Wright and her friend angela on their way to a psychic to try to find out what happened to Sam father. Later on in the book, Sam discovers unknown facts about her father, and an online detective that get her one step closer to finding her father. Her twin sister Sarah died when they were three years old, but Sam can't somehow shake the feeling that she might still be alive. These scenarios are just a couple things that make this book impossible to put down. The author does a really good job of describing all the details, and what Sam is feeling as she experiences all of this. There was never a time that I got tired of reading this book, because the author did a good job of making it relate to teens. I would rate this book a 10 out of 10 because even though I haven't gone through the same situation as Sam did I still can relate to it in other ways, and it makes me realize what its like to go through that bad experience. Also, all of the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat and a lot of them were really shocking. I would recommend this book to mostly teen girls because it relates to girl's lives, and its centered around the drama they have, and how they handle things!

[Cassa M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you know the Monkey Man
By: Dori Hillestad Butler
Non-fiction
Biography
Pages: 193


Do you know the Monkey Man is about a girl named Sam and how her parents got divorced and her twin sister drowned in a lake when they were three. Sam's dad took her twin sister Sarah on a boat ride in the quarry when there family was camping. When they were in the bat the boat tipped and Sarah drowned. They never found Sarah's body. After Sarah drowned Sam and Sarah's parents got divorced and Sam never saw her dad again. Sam is now 13 and she is looking for her real dad but while she is looking for him Sam starts to think that maybe her sister didn't drown in the quarry and that her dad just took her and faked her drowning. You will have to read the book to find out.

I thought this was a really good book because I love mystery books. This book always made want to keep reading and I love reading those kind of books. I felt really bad for sam her parents are divorced, her she hasn't seen her real dad in ten years, her sister died, and her mom is remarrying. I would not want to be in Sam's position it would be horrible. When sam went to look for her dad I wanted to keep reading and keep reading the book it was so good. This book will be one of my favorite books for a while. I would be really sad if I had a twin sister and she died. Sam was talking about how Her and Sarah would do everything together and it was sad because they never could because Sarah was dead. This was a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves mystery books.