In The Star Zoo by Harry Harrison, humans live in a distant future where all the animals of Earth are extinct. People depend entirely on machines and have never seen a living creature. Sixteen-year-old Hummingbird's life changes forever when she and her husband Jim discover the Star Zoo—a wandering spaceship carrying the last surviving animals from old Earth. Terrified by these "monsters" from ancient legends, society wants them destroyed. But Hummy gradually realizes the animals are gentle creatures that need human care. In the end, people must overcome their deep fear and prejudice, welcoming animals back and rediscovering love, wonder, and their lost bond with nature.
