Yes, I Know the Monkey Man

by Dori Hillestad Butler

What happens when everything you thought was true about your life turns out to be a lie?
Thirteen-year-old T. J. always believed that her twin sister and her mother were dead―because that’s what her father had told her. But Mom and Sam are very much alive. And now they want T. J. to be part of their family.
When T. J. reluctantly visits her mom and Sam for the first time, she is stunned by how similar she is to her twin sister, even though their lives have been very different. But while she is drawn to her new family, she is also wary of becoming attached to them and hurting her father’s feelings. Then when her father suffers a debilitating accident and tries to ensnare T. J. in another web of lies, her loyalties are finally tested.
In this thought-provoking companion to Do You Know the Monkey Man?, Dori Hillestad Butler creates a complex portrait of a family in crisis. Her skillful portrayal of T. J., a conflicted adolescent struggling with her identity, will resonate with readers.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fiction, Family, Contemporary, Childrens

196 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

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

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Do You Know the Monkey Man, which was--still is--one of my favorite YA books. When I found out that Dori Hillestad Butler wrote a sequel to it, I just flipped out. I read the summary, and my pulse was racing. What other secrets could be in this family? So then I eagerly awaited the delivery of this book from B&N, and when I got it, finished it in one day. I think I might have gotten my expectations up a little too high, since by the end, I was just a little disappointed.

First, I'm glad that I got to read about this book in TJ's POV, since the previous was Sam's. It was nice, to be able to read about the story that I loved from a different POV. The accident was a twist of events, and it just proved that if something happened to Joe, then TJ would be in serious trouble. I think the only shocking thing that really happened in the book was when I found out how Katie was killed. But still, that wasn't a huge lie that Joe tried to entangle TJ in, like the back cover said. I think that the summary hyped it up just a little bit. With that said, I still liked having TJ and Sam bond while TJ was there. I felt mad at Grandma Sterling, because she was a little uptight. Which was good, because I like actually feel an emotion against a character in a book. That just proves that the author did a great job creating them.

Another thing I would love is to have Ms. Butler perhaps write a prequel to the whole series. Like maybe, when Joe and Suzanne first met, their pasts, etc. This book was a fast read, and a pretty good sequel! I enjoyed it!

Rating:

93/100

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a goo book this is the second in the series it is one of the better books I've read

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book as much as the first one, but it was slower and repetitive. I don't like when sequels quote the first book for pages at a time, especially when I just read the first book. It's boring and makes me put the book down for a little bit. I do like how we got to see T.J.'s point of view, but I didn't connect (or maybe care?) about her as much as I did Sam. It's probably a personal thing though, I'm more of a girly-girl than a Tom boy. I would really like to see Butler write a third book in the mother's P.O.V. She's one character I really liked and wanted to know more about her backstory.

[Sharon Falduto]

From another point of view, the story of a tragedy that ripped a family apart ten years ago, and how it's being mended. Except this is a book for kids so it's not really HORRIBLY tragic. But it's pretty good.

[Allison Skarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually sequels are never as good as Book 1. Not so with this book. A fun, fast paced, well written second book!

[Ximena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and her other book "Do you know the monkey man"

[Lathika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I know the monkey man is on Saraha's point of view
Great story
Has a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter

[Kin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it soo much.

[Erinn Camp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good upper elementary read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dori Hillestad Butler, Yes, I know the Monkey Man
196 pgs., Peachtree, 2009, ISBN: 978-56145-479-2, $16.95
Young Adult

4 stars

In this sequel to Do you Know the Monkey Man? Butler takes us from discovering that a twin sister never died, but had been living with her father these past ten years to T.J. visiting her mother and 13 year old sister’s place where she used to live, the week before their mother remarries. Just before TJ leaves her father, he slips off a roof and lands in the hospital unable to care for himself or her. Since she has a social worker who has been watchful of her it is determined that TJ, along with her dog, will still go to visit her mom.

T.J. is not a perfect guest, but everyone seems determined to love her no matter what happens. Although idealistic eventually it is this unconditional love that finally breaks down T.J.‘s walls that she has built around herself. Having gone through a time in my life with a daughter who wished to run away with someone she met on a social network and our fear of losing her in NYC I can now say that continuing to love her through it all now has us phoning each other on almost a daily basis.

This book may be read independently from the first book since there are enough descriptions from the previous book to allow the reader to still enjoy the novel, but many children will be demanding the first book to more fully comprehend how such an event could have occurred. There are still legal repercussions left hanging in this as well as at the end of the first book. Since many children live in single parent families this omission may leave one still with questions as to how realistic this story could be.

This book reminds me of The Face on the Milk Carton which I reluctantly read since it was not in my comfort zone, but was on many recommended lists and now I highly refer it to my students.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a follow up of Do You Know the Monkey Man? Although I did not read the first book, and I doubt that I will go back and read it, this book is find as a stand alone. I am usually compulsive about reading books in order but do not have that feeling with this book. TJ never knew her mother or new she had a twin sister until a few weeks ago and now her mother wants her to attend her wedding and the move to a new house in Iowa. Her twin sister Sam, is excited to see her and wants her to come. They sent the money and all she had to do is get on the bus and go. After Joe, who she discovers is her father, tells her she needs to go, she finally decides to go. Things go haywire, she ends up taking her dog Sherlock and buys a one way ticket because she had to spend the rest of the money on other things. The appearance of Sherlock the dog is a surprise, but she had no one to leave him with and the mess the Sherlock the dog and Sherlock the cat (Sam's pet) get into become a bone of contention with their mother.
The wedding goes on, and more truth about Joe comes out... Where will TJ end up staying for the rest of the summer and for the school year? The story is well told about a father taking one daughter and leaving the rest of the family.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel and final installment to Do You Know the Monkey Man? The first book was written from the point of view of the a twin girl living with her mother. This book was written from the twin girl, T.J. who was raised and lived with her father without knowledge she has a twin sister. When the two girls accidently meet, secrets and lies are revealed and damages caused by the deceit has to be addressed. Once again, I truly enjoyed this book. However, my only criticism is that the books are too short (196 pgs.) and this was the final book. I believe that Ms. Butler left a lot of issues unaddressed that would well be served in a third book. Very interesting and enjoyable.

[Leeann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to "Do You Know the Monkey Man?" Strange titles both, but honestly, I enjoyed the books. Both of them are very quick YA reads- about two hours each.

In this sequel, we follow TJ (or Sarah) to her sister's house and watch the struggle to work through the lies and secrecy the families have harbored, and the efforts to create a new relationship after ten years separation.

This book held my interest all the way through, although I thought the "Grandma Sperling" character was ridiculous. :)

[Mary Taitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've read in a while. Well, let's just say I really enjoyed it, found it realistic, engaging, and well-written.

It's a sequel to Do you Know the Monkey Man, which I have not read but will look for.

It's about a girl who was kidnapped by her father at age three and who, at age 13, is reunited with her twin sister and mother. Their lifestyles had been very different, and there is a clash of values and some difficult and stressful times.

I found it a quick read, maybe because it was so absorbing.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to "Do You Know the Monkey Man" which I booktalked with great success. This one picks up just a few weeks after the first one left off. TJ and Sam have found out about each other, but TJ is still reluctant to keep in touch or become too involved with her mom and sister. Then her father is badly injured in an accident at work and TJ has to go and stay with her new family indefinitely. How the girls adjust to their new relationship makes a good read.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twin sisters rediscover each other at age 13, after one finds out that her sister is not dead after all, as the father has led the rest of the family to believe. All the awkwardness and disbelief that you could imagine might take place when a lie is uncovered that changed the course of an entire family.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and it's prequel "Do You Know the Monkey Man?". Twin girls are separated at the age of three, the one thinking her sister has died and the other never knowing she even had a sister. Each book is by one of the sisters - both spunky and strong, but very different. Really good read - almost YA.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good sequel, satisfying conclusion.

[Lauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book eva

[Sherry Grussing · Rating 3 out of 5]

The character from the first book wasn't very likeable in this book. (IMO)

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good asmthe first one, but anyone who liked the first book will want to read it. For teens, especially girls.

[Hannah Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAZING!! Except i wanna punch T.J. in the face. -_-

[Paige Auge:) · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is boring at first and then it gets better. if you like mystery books read this:)

[Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was a little confusing but otherwise I loved the monkey man books.

[Syd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book! Sequel to "Do you know the Monkey Man".

[Deysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book.