Eliot Schrefer is a longtime fan of the Battle of the Books. He’s written many novels for young readers, including two installments of the New York Times-bestselling Spirit Animals series and the “Great Ape Quartet” of young adult books, two of which have been finalists for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature. His novel Endangered was once a Battle of the Books contender, until it suffered the misfortune of going up against The Fault in Our Stars. (RIP, bonobos!) Eliot is also the children’s book reviewer for USAToday. He is a friend among apes and an ape among friends. Find him at www.eliotschrefer.com.

Photo credit: Priya Patel