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The Last Panther
For animal lovers and fans of The One and Only Ivan and Hoot, this is the uplifting story of a girl who discovers a family of panthers that were thought to be extinct, and her journey to save the species.
Eleven-year-old Kiri has a secret: wild things call to her. More than anyone else, she's always had a special connection to animals.
But when Kiri has an encounter with the last known Florida panther, her life is quickly turned on end. Caught between her conservationist father, who wants to send the panther to a zoo, and the village poachers, who want to sell it to feed their families, Kiri must embark on a journey that will take her deep into the wilderness.
There has to be some way to save the panther, and for her dad and the villagers to understand each other. If Kiri can't figure out what it is, she'll lose far more than the panthers--she'll lose the only home she's ever known, and the only family she has left.
2018 Green Earth Book Award Honor
2018 Colorado Book Award Winner
CAL Book Award Winner
Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Award Winner
A Bank Street "Best Children's Book of the Year"
A National Geographic Giant Traveling Map of Florida Selection
"A powerful tale of a future to be avoided." --Kirkus Reviews
"An eerie cautionary tale about the dangers of not protecting the environment, tackles an important theme in a compelling way...a fantastical tale with roots in real-world issues." --Booklist
"Earnest, heartfelt, and passionate, this book will likely inspire new environmentalists." --Bulletin
"A boldly original, profoundly wise, deeply moving book. It's a rare gift to any reader, as well as to our planet."
--T. A. Barron, best-selling author of the Merlin Saga
Eleven-year-old Kiri has a secret: wild things call to her. More than anyone else, she's always had a special connection to animals.
But when Kiri has an encounter with the last known Florida panther, her life is quickly turned on end. Caught between her conservationist father, who wants to send the panther to a zoo, and the village poachers, who want to sell it to feed their families, Kiri must embark on a journey that will take her deep into the wilderness.
There has to be some way to save the panther, and for her dad and the villagers to understand each other. If Kiri can't figure out what it is, she'll lose far more than the panthers--she'll lose the only home she's ever known, and the only family she has left.
2018 Green Earth Book Award Honor
2018 Colorado Book Award Winner
CAL Book Award Winner
Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Award Winner
A Bank Street "Best Children's Book of the Year"
A National Geographic Giant Traveling Map of Florida Selection
"A powerful tale of a future to be avoided." --Kirkus Reviews
"An eerie cautionary tale about the dangers of not protecting the environment, tackles an important theme in a compelling way...a fantastical tale with roots in real-world issues." --Booklist
"Earnest, heartfelt, and passionate, this book will likely inspire new environmentalists." --Bulletin
"A boldly original, profoundly wise, deeply moving book. It's a rare gift to any reader, as well as to our planet."
--T. A. Barron, best-selling author of the Merlin Saga
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2017
21 people are currently reading
1002 people want to read
About the author
Todd Mitchell
23 books107 followersTodd Mitchell is the author of several award-winning middle grade and YA novels including The Last Panther (Penguin Random House), The Traitor King (Scholastic), The Secret to Lying (Candlewick), and Backwards (Candlewick). He has two new books coming out in fall 2021—one for writers, artists, and creators titled Breakthrough: How to Overcome Doubt, Fear, and Resistance so that You Can Be Your Ultimate Creative Self, and a middle grade novel that's recently been optioned for film/TV development titled The Namer of Spirits.
He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he kayaks, mountain bikes, and teaches creative writing at Colorado State University. He loves speaking with young readers and writers. You can visit him (and learn about his squirrel obsession) at www.ToddMitchellBooks.com
About THE NAMER OF SPIRITS:
“A dangerous town carved out of unforgiving forest, a young girl who can name spirits and tame monsters, a race against time to save the natural world: The Namer of Spirits is what readers want and the world needs.”
—New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer
About THE LAST PANTHER (winner of the Colorado Book Award, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, and a Green Earth Honor Book Award):
"BRILLIANT! A boldly original, profoundly wise, deeply moving book. It’s a rare gift to any reader, as well as to our planet."
—T. A. Barron, author of the Merlin Saga
"A powerful tale." —KIRKUS
"Difficult to put down. An important addition on a timely subject." —SLJ
About THE SECRET TO LYING (winner of the Colorado Book Award, for ages 14 & up):
"Engrossing and entertaining... a great read."
—PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
About BACKWARDS (winner of the CAL Award, for ages 13 & up):
“[A] suspenseful paranormal novel. …at once thought-provoking and satisfying.” —School Library Journal
About THE TRAITOR KING (Scholastic Press, for ages 8 & up):
"Humor, menace, and mystery suffuse this fast-paced tale... This well-written tale is a must for most fantasy readers."
—School Library Journal
Other projects:
I co-wrote a graphic novel that came out with Vertigo Comics (part of D.C.), called A FLIGHT OF ANGELS (selected as a YALSA Top Ten Pick for Great Graphic Novels for Teens).
BROKEN SAVIORS, an alien invasion graphic novel series for ages 13 and up. You can read the first few issues of BROKEN SAVIORS on my website for free. Or find it in full HD on ComiXology!
http://www.toddmitchellbooks.com
He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he kayaks, mountain bikes, and teaches creative writing at Colorado State University. He loves speaking with young readers and writers. You can visit him (and learn about his squirrel obsession) at www.ToddMitchellBooks.com
About THE NAMER OF SPIRITS:
“A dangerous town carved out of unforgiving forest, a young girl who can name spirits and tame monsters, a race against time to save the natural world: The Namer of Spirits is what readers want and the world needs.”
—New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer
About THE LAST PANTHER (winner of the Colorado Book Award, the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, and a Green Earth Honor Book Award):
"BRILLIANT! A boldly original, profoundly wise, deeply moving book. It’s a rare gift to any reader, as well as to our planet."
—T. A. Barron, author of the Merlin Saga
"A powerful tale." —KIRKUS
"Difficult to put down. An important addition on a timely subject." —SLJ
About THE SECRET TO LYING (winner of the Colorado Book Award, for ages 14 & up):
"Engrossing and entertaining... a great read."
—PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY
About BACKWARDS (winner of the CAL Award, for ages 13 & up):
“[A] suspenseful paranormal novel. …at once thought-provoking and satisfying.” —School Library Journal
About THE TRAITOR KING (Scholastic Press, for ages 8 & up):
"Humor, menace, and mystery suffuse this fast-paced tale... This well-written tale is a must for most fantasy readers."
—School Library Journal
Other projects:
I co-wrote a graphic novel that came out with Vertigo Comics (part of D.C.), called A FLIGHT OF ANGELS (selected as a YALSA Top Ten Pick for Great Graphic Novels for Teens).
BROKEN SAVIORS, an alien invasion graphic novel series for ages 13 and up. You can read the first few issues of BROKEN SAVIORS on my website for free. Or find it in full HD on ComiXology!
http://www.toddmitchellbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 21, 2019
See my interview with the author and my book review @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
Kiri lives with her father, who is a conservationist, in the ghost forest near a dangerous swamp. He’s considered a waller (city dweller) and not far from their home are the fugees, the original habitants of the forest. Wallers are considered the wealthy ones and have what they need to survive while tending to preserve the environment and the species that are still living, while fugees consistently need to search for food so they won’t die of starvation or sickness. Fugees will do whatever it takes to feed their community and that includes killing whatever they can catch, including animals that are endangered, if need be. They don’t have much of a choice as the damaged ecosystem they live in has left them with little resources.
Kiri’s mother, who has previously passed away, was once a fugee and Kiri is now caught between two worlds having a waller for a father. The fugees detest the wallers and they simply don’t agree on anything. For this reason, Kiri doesn’t want to be considered a waller and would rather keep the peace between both groups. She doesn’t necessarily agree that the fugees should be hunting these ‘once-were’ creatures, but she understands them concurrently. When Kiri surprisingly discovers a panther she’s never seen before–a beautiful creature she connects with and knows she must protect–not only does she need to protect the panther, but she has to find a way to keep her cubs safe too. From this point, Kiri goes into survival mode and does all that she can to stop the hunters and trappers from killing the panther, even if it means she must go against her father’s wishes. What will Kiri do? She’s a courageous and spirited young girl, always standing up for what she believes in, but will she alone be enough to protect the last panther and its cubs?
After seeing the beautiful cover and reading the blurb, I took a chance and bought a copy for our home library. I’m always in search of stories that I can read with my children, especially those I can enjoy myself. I particularly relished the sweet parts in the story from Kiri’s companionship with Snowflake, her pet rat, to her friendship with Paulo. I found it compelling and full of action and adventure. The mystical world and rich plot that Todd Mitchell has created draws you in and makes you feel like you’re part of Kiri’s journey. It’s un-predictable and written well. I also appreciated that the story provokes questions about climate change and brings attention to the importance of caring for our environment now, as animals are experiencing high levels of endangerment as our world is ever-changing.
This is one I’m pleased to have for my family and I’m overjoyed that it turned out to be such an awesome read. This is a perfect middle-grade read for classrooms and libraries, but essentially, it’s great for all ages. I honestly can’t wait to see what other books Todd Mitchell writes in the future.
My rating: 5*****
Kiri lives with her father, who is a conservationist, in the ghost forest near a dangerous swamp. He’s considered a waller (city dweller) and not far from their home are the fugees, the original habitants of the forest. Wallers are considered the wealthy ones and have what they need to survive while tending to preserve the environment and the species that are still living, while fugees consistently need to search for food so they won’t die of starvation or sickness. Fugees will do whatever it takes to feed their community and that includes killing whatever they can catch, including animals that are endangered, if need be. They don’t have much of a choice as the damaged ecosystem they live in has left them with little resources.
Kiri’s mother, who has previously passed away, was once a fugee and Kiri is now caught between two worlds having a waller for a father. The fugees detest the wallers and they simply don’t agree on anything. For this reason, Kiri doesn’t want to be considered a waller and would rather keep the peace between both groups. She doesn’t necessarily agree that the fugees should be hunting these ‘once-were’ creatures, but she understands them concurrently. When Kiri surprisingly discovers a panther she’s never seen before–a beautiful creature she connects with and knows she must protect–not only does she need to protect the panther, but she has to find a way to keep her cubs safe too. From this point, Kiri goes into survival mode and does all that she can to stop the hunters and trappers from killing the panther, even if it means she must go against her father’s wishes. What will Kiri do? She’s a courageous and spirited young girl, always standing up for what she believes in, but will she alone be enough to protect the last panther and its cubs?
After seeing the beautiful cover and reading the blurb, I took a chance and bought a copy for our home library. I’m always in search of stories that I can read with my children, especially those I can enjoy myself. I particularly relished the sweet parts in the story from Kiri’s companionship with Snowflake, her pet rat, to her friendship with Paulo. I found it compelling and full of action and adventure. The mystical world and rich plot that Todd Mitchell has created draws you in and makes you feel like you’re part of Kiri’s journey. It’s un-predictable and written well. I also appreciated that the story provokes questions about climate change and brings attention to the importance of caring for our environment now, as animals are experiencing high levels of endangerment as our world is ever-changing.
This is one I’m pleased to have for my family and I’m overjoyed that it turned out to be such an awesome read. This is a perfect middle-grade read for classrooms and libraries, but essentially, it’s great for all ages. I honestly can’t wait to see what other books Todd Mitchell writes in the future.
My rating: 5*****
March 25, 2019
The panther growled again, all coiled muscle and bristling wildness seeking release. Kiri's neck prickled. Each growl reverberated deep in her chest, rattling her bones with the uncontainable rage of a mother separated from her cubs.
Fear lashed through Kiri, strong as a hurricane ripping her thoughts away.
Eleven year old Kiri just wants to save the last panther on the island but the people she loves the most are fighting over who has the most rights to take the panther for themselves. The people in the village want to use the panther for food and profit.
Her conservationist minded father wants capture her and keep her in captivity to preserve the species. Neither side is mindful of what the permanent damage and long term consequences will result by removing the last apex predator from the wild. Can Kiri find a way to save the panther while finding a common ground that will give the villagers and her father a peaceful resolution?
This is a beautiful and creative book to explain to readers of all ages just how important the conservation efforts of each individual animal and species means to the survival of the planet and how we can find a way to use our resources wisely.
I highly recommend The Last Panther by Todd Mitchell!
Fear lashed through Kiri, strong as a hurricane ripping her thoughts away.
Eleven year old Kiri just wants to save the last panther on the island but the people she loves the most are fighting over who has the most rights to take the panther for themselves. The people in the village want to use the panther for food and profit.
Her conservationist minded father wants capture her and keep her in captivity to preserve the species. Neither side is mindful of what the permanent damage and long term consequences will result by removing the last apex predator from the wild. Can Kiri find a way to save the panther while finding a common ground that will give the villagers and her father a peaceful resolution?
This is a beautiful and creative book to explain to readers of all ages just how important the conservation efforts of each individual animal and species means to the survival of the planet and how we can find a way to use our resources wisely.
I highly recommend The Last Panther by Todd Mitchell!
May 2, 2021
I read this a couple years ago, so I don't remember a lot of the details. But I know that I deeply enjoyed this book. A lot of thought was put into it, and a very important message was embedded into it:
Save our planet. Our planet is full of so many wondrous things. Are we really going to let pollution and that crap destroy it? Let's save our planet!
This was one of the books which inspired me to support environmentalism. Really loved it. Engaging, interesting, magical, this will inspire you to care about our planet.
Save our planet. Our planet is full of so many wondrous things. Are we really going to let pollution and that crap destroy it? Let's save our planet!
This was one of the books which inspired me to support environmentalism. Really loved it. Engaging, interesting, magical, this will inspire you to care about our planet.
July 28, 2017
The Last Panther has the timeless feel of a classic, yet with a timely message woven into its tapestry of myth and quest. I will be urging everyone I know to read this book. Not only is it the essential story of our time—and perhaps our future—but it’s also a moving and tender tale of love, connection, and community. You know it’s a life-changing book when it makes you cry tears of sorrow, fury, and hope… when it plants unforgettable questions in your mind and soul… when you fall in love with the characters, whether human, reptilian, or feline. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL AGES!!!
August 4, 2017
I have a weakness for stories about kids who have special psychic connections with animals - that would be my super power if I could pick one. So, I really enjoyed this. Along with a compelling protagonist and strong fantasy and world-building elements, there is an eco-dystopia angle which is chilling. An excellent and powerful choice for middle grade readers who enjoy fantasy/adventure/sci fi!
February 28, 2018
Appropriate for: age 12+
I love animals and I love that this book brought awareness to the plight of animals. If you have a sensitive child DO NOT let them read this book. There are multiple animal deaths and it saddened even me, an adult.
I love animals and I love that this book brought awareness to the plight of animals. If you have a sensitive child DO NOT let them read this book. There are multiple animal deaths and it saddened even me, an adult.
August 14, 2017
Middle grade readers will be especially interested in this title featuring an eleven-year-old girl who has strong connections with animals. Although the story takes place in one possible future for our environment in which many species no longer exist in the wild and those that do exist are kept captive in order to save them, readers will quickly see the connections to global warming and habitat loss today. Kiri spends her days helping her conservationist father as he tests the ocean water and watches over the native species, but she also enjoys spending time with her best friend Paulo and her pet rat Snowflake. Outsiders such as Kiri's father are considered to be wallers whose interests clash with the original residents of the jungle known as fugees. Because Kiri's deceased mother was a fugee, she is given some leeway in her actions and thoughts, but there have always been conflicts between both sides. The differences between the two sides are exacerbated after the villagers kill a large leatherback turtle for its meat and only heighten further when Kiri happens upon a rare panther. The author does a great job of balancing the needs of the villagers to have food and something to trade for what they need in order to survive with the need to save these rare species, and the hopeful ending might point to a way for the rest of us to broker a compromise when it comes to environmental issues. Although it isn't always clear at certain points how everything connects, those connections are clear at the end, and readers will be impressed at the wisdom in one small girl.
Read
October 14, 2023At first, I wasn't too keen on reading this book, but after reading the first few chapters I had a hard time putting the book down. First off, Kiri is this brave and adventurous girl who just wants to feel like she belongs. Many young readers would be able to connect with Kiri for that reason alone, but they may also connect with Kiri in the two friendships she does have. Kiri's pet rat Snowflake is always along for the ride in Kiri's hoodie. Mitchell was able turn this little rat into such a strong and funny character in the way Snowflake would respond to Kiri's conversations. Kiri also has this friendship with Fugee, Paulo. He is always there trying to support Kiri even when he knows it can get him into trouble. Mitchell has a great use of imagery throughout the book to show both the dangers and the beauty of the island they live on. I think this book is great for children of the intended age range to read because it shows them the dynamics of how people should come together instead of trying to be so separated especially with the dangers of animal extinction portrayed in this book.
May 25, 2017
Originally posted at Log Cabin Library
Eleven-year-old Kiri lives near the ghost forest along the edge of a swamp with her father. Nearby are the fugee's, or refugees who either haul in salvage from the ocean to sell to the boat people or are catchers of whatever fish are remaining. Kiri's father is a waller, someone who comes from the walled city and works as a conservationist, collecting plant and animal specimens. Kiri's mother was a fugee prior to her death from an illness that affects only fugee's. Kiri, however, doesn't seem to fit into either of these two groups, which unsettles her because she really wants to be accepted by her mother's people. The beginning of the story surrounds a fugee, Charro, claiming salvage rights to an animal he's hauling into shore. Some of the villagers claim it's a "catch" because the animal is alive, while Charro still refuses to give up his "salvage" claiming he can sell the creature and make lots of money. However, the village Witch Woman claims that it is a Devi or spirit that should be left alone. Kiri tries to help by getting her father to use his books to identify the creature but is too late to save what they determine was a female leatherback turtle. Kiri's father is devasted by the loss of the turtle, and even though the villagers offer to share the meal they've prepared with him, he can't bring himself to take it causing a greater rift between the villagers and Kiri's father. Kiri attempts to mend things by sneaking back to the village and trying the soup, but unfortunately, crosses paths with a panther (The Shadow Who Hunts) receiving a mark on her shoulder. The whole village gets spun up into hunting for the panther, while Kiri's father wants to collect it for his patrons, leaving only Kiri and a village boy left trying to protect it.
The Last Panther seemed to be part real world Florida with a slightly dystopian quality of what our world could become. While there are nice descriptions of the surrounding village and plant life giving that feel of Florida, I would've liked to know more about the refugees themselves. Although, they did appear to come from some "far-off ruined place," it would've been nice to know more about say their beliefs, especially when discussing Devi and ghosts. However, Kiri's world is an important reminder about preserving the environment so that we don't end up with "were-creatures", or a place where animals have either gone extinct or are severely endangered, animals like the turtle and panther that Kiri only saw or heard about from reading her father's books. I really did like Kiribati, she's both mesmerized by the leatherback turtle and fiercely protective of the panther, having some sort of connection to them both. Her desire to be included as one of her mother's people and to stay on the island and protect the panther is admirable. Kiri receiving a mark from the turtle and panther leads the village witch to call the animals Devi (which I'm guessing pertains to a God) and Kiri their messenger. Kiribati or Kiri also has these visions of her mother's ghost guiding her, which she partially realizes only seem to occur when she is ill or injured, but ghosts and the villager's beliefs about them take on a special significance in how the story gets resolved. Gen Tech is the company that Kiri's father works for and they collect animal specimens in the hopes of reintroducing them back into the wild. Despite their good intentions, Kiri feels they shouldn't be caged up but left to roam free. The conflict between these two sides illustrates the differing views of hunting animals for survival versus protecting and studying them. There is this passion for animal conservation in Kiri's quest to save the panther, while also showing how the world's ecosystems are changing and the impact that it has on the animals. How it is important to protect animals and their habitats. Living in Montana, I especially enjoyed when Sonia, one of the researchers at Gen Tech was explaining to Kiri the positive changes to the environment that occurred when wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone. It's a huge battle here about whether or not ranchers should be allowed to hunt them, so it was interesting to me to read about how wolves destruction can have a ripple effect on everything around it. Overall, a delightful main heroine and relevant topic.
**In exchange for an honest review, an ARC copy was received from the publisher.*
Eleven-year-old Kiri lives near the ghost forest along the edge of a swamp with her father. Nearby are the fugee's, or refugees who either haul in salvage from the ocean to sell to the boat people or are catchers of whatever fish are remaining. Kiri's father is a waller, someone who comes from the walled city and works as a conservationist, collecting plant and animal specimens. Kiri's mother was a fugee prior to her death from an illness that affects only fugee's. Kiri, however, doesn't seem to fit into either of these two groups, which unsettles her because she really wants to be accepted by her mother's people. The beginning of the story surrounds a fugee, Charro, claiming salvage rights to an animal he's hauling into shore. Some of the villagers claim it's a "catch" because the animal is alive, while Charro still refuses to give up his "salvage" claiming he can sell the creature and make lots of money. However, the village Witch Woman claims that it is a Devi or spirit that should be left alone. Kiri tries to help by getting her father to use his books to identify the creature but is too late to save what they determine was a female leatherback turtle. Kiri's father is devasted by the loss of the turtle, and even though the villagers offer to share the meal they've prepared with him, he can't bring himself to take it causing a greater rift between the villagers and Kiri's father. Kiri attempts to mend things by sneaking back to the village and trying the soup, but unfortunately, crosses paths with a panther (The Shadow Who Hunts) receiving a mark on her shoulder. The whole village gets spun up into hunting for the panther, while Kiri's father wants to collect it for his patrons, leaving only Kiri and a village boy left trying to protect it.
The Last Panther seemed to be part real world Florida with a slightly dystopian quality of what our world could become. While there are nice descriptions of the surrounding village and plant life giving that feel of Florida, I would've liked to know more about the refugees themselves. Although, they did appear to come from some "far-off ruined place," it would've been nice to know more about say their beliefs, especially when discussing Devi and ghosts. However, Kiri's world is an important reminder about preserving the environment so that we don't end up with "were-creatures", or a place where animals have either gone extinct or are severely endangered, animals like the turtle and panther that Kiri only saw or heard about from reading her father's books. I really did like Kiribati, she's both mesmerized by the leatherback turtle and fiercely protective of the panther, having some sort of connection to them both. Her desire to be included as one of her mother's people and to stay on the island and protect the panther is admirable. Kiri receiving a mark from the turtle and panther leads the village witch to call the animals Devi (which I'm guessing pertains to a God) and Kiri their messenger. Kiribati or Kiri also has these visions of her mother's ghost guiding her, which she partially realizes only seem to occur when she is ill or injured, but ghosts and the villager's beliefs about them take on a special significance in how the story gets resolved. Gen Tech is the company that Kiri's father works for and they collect animal specimens in the hopes of reintroducing them back into the wild. Despite their good intentions, Kiri feels they shouldn't be caged up but left to roam free. The conflict between these two sides illustrates the differing views of hunting animals for survival versus protecting and studying them. There is this passion for animal conservation in Kiri's quest to save the panther, while also showing how the world's ecosystems are changing and the impact that it has on the animals. How it is important to protect animals and their habitats. Living in Montana, I especially enjoyed when Sonia, one of the researchers at Gen Tech was explaining to Kiri the positive changes to the environment that occurred when wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone. It's a huge battle here about whether or not ranchers should be allowed to hunt them, so it was interesting to me to read about how wolves destruction can have a ripple effect on everything around it. Overall, a delightful main heroine and relevant topic.
**In exchange for an honest review, an ARC copy was received from the publisher.*
February 19, 2019
I love it!!! <3
August 18, 2023
Why I chose this book: This book is on my library's battle of the books list.
Brief summary: Kiri is torn between two worlds: The Wallers and The Fugees. The Wallers live in the city and want to conserve nature, even at its own expense, while the Fugees are simply fighting to survive. When Kiri discovers a panther and cubs, a species long considered to be extinct, will she be able to convince the Wallers and the Fugees to work together to create hope for the future of the planet?
What I didn't like about this book: While I love immersive worldbuilding that doesn't spend much time on exposition, there were some things I wanted more exposition about - like the vids and the sea people. I felt a little lost about how these things functioned in the world.
What I like about this book: This book showcases people having to make real and difficult decisions for themselves and for the greater good of the world. I like how the author highlights this difficult and very real dilemma that people face between "good" and "evil" and how these concepts are not so black-and-white.
Brief summary: Kiri is torn between two worlds: The Wallers and The Fugees. The Wallers live in the city and want to conserve nature, even at its own expense, while the Fugees are simply fighting to survive. When Kiri discovers a panther and cubs, a species long considered to be extinct, will she be able to convince the Wallers and the Fugees to work together to create hope for the future of the planet?
What I didn't like about this book: While I love immersive worldbuilding that doesn't spend much time on exposition, there were some things I wanted more exposition about - like the vids and the sea people. I felt a little lost about how these things functioned in the world.
What I like about this book: This book showcases people having to make real and difficult decisions for themselves and for the greater good of the world. I like how the author highlights this difficult and very real dilemma that people face between "good" and "evil" and how these concepts are not so black-and-white.
February 2, 2018
A cautionary tale about the perils of humanity's large ecological footprint disguised as a dystopian novel.
December 15, 2017
The lush jungles and sandy beaches of Kiri’s future-Florida home are all she's ever known. Those places are where she grew up, where she laughed when things went well, cried when things did not, and was simply there when things happened around her, and she paid no attention to them. Kiri’s life was in that place. Yet, she never really fit in. Being the daughter of a fugee and a waller was hard, especially when her mother died, leaving her and her waller father alone, with only the fugees for company. Kiri loved the fugees. They were her family; but the fugees hated wallers and hated her father, occasionally hating her, too.
When Kiri finds a panther, her life changes forever. Caught in the middle between a battle of the fugees and the wallers, Kiri must learn to stand on her own. The fugees want to trade the panther for food and clothing. The wallers want to put the panther in a zoo. Kiri wants to let the panther go free. As Kiri is pulled between the two societies, she learns that no matter who she sides with, there will always be someone on the other side, pulling her back.
With bravery, kindness, and strength, Kiri must learn how to fight through the wilderness of her own heart and find who she is truly meant to be.
Opinion:
The Last Panther was a book that opened my eyes to many things. Sometimes, as a middle class citizen of the United States, I take for granted many things like food, clothing, and shelter: things the fugees didn’t always have. I love animals, especially seeing them in zoos, but this book raises a question: are zoos always a good thing? This book made me see that sometimes things that might not seem important to me really should be. This book made me see that decisions aren’t always black and white. Most of the time, both sides have good and bad points, and I feel like I’m right in the middle, sitting on the fence, in a sense.
I loved how developed the characters were. Kiri is a relatable girl who warms the heart of every person who knows her. She is special, lovable, and kind, always putting others before herself. I loved this book, and I think anyone, animal lover or not, will enjoy this book as well. It is a heartwarming story about friendship, bravery, and standing up for what you believe in that everyone, young or old, should read.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 13
When Kiri finds a panther, her life changes forever. Caught in the middle between a battle of the fugees and the wallers, Kiri must learn to stand on her own. The fugees want to trade the panther for food and clothing. The wallers want to put the panther in a zoo. Kiri wants to let the panther go free. As Kiri is pulled between the two societies, she learns that no matter who she sides with, there will always be someone on the other side, pulling her back.
With bravery, kindness, and strength, Kiri must learn how to fight through the wilderness of her own heart and find who she is truly meant to be.
Opinion:
The Last Panther was a book that opened my eyes to many things. Sometimes, as a middle class citizen of the United States, I take for granted many things like food, clothing, and shelter: things the fugees didn’t always have. I love animals, especially seeing them in zoos, but this book raises a question: are zoos always a good thing? This book made me see that sometimes things that might not seem important to me really should be. This book made me see that decisions aren’t always black and white. Most of the time, both sides have good and bad points, and I feel like I’m right in the middle, sitting on the fence, in a sense.
I loved how developed the characters were. Kiri is a relatable girl who warms the heart of every person who knows her. She is special, lovable, and kind, always putting others before herself. I loved this book, and I think anyone, animal lover or not, will enjoy this book as well. It is a heartwarming story about friendship, bravery, and standing up for what you believe in that everyone, young or old, should read.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age 13
December 15, 2017
Kiri doesn’t belong with the wallers (city dwellers) or the fugees. She sees that even more fully when the fugees catch a leatherback turtle thought to be extinct. Kiri runs to her father, a waller, hoping he can help save the turtle. Sadly, he fails and offends the fugees, causing the fugees to ban Kiri and her father from the village. Her father responds by setting up an electric fence surrounding the swamp, making the fugees even angrier. So when Kiri discovers a panther, the fight escalates between her father and the fugees. Who will win? And will the panther survive?
The Last Panther is an adventurous book taking place in the future where many animals are extinct or thought to be extinct. In this setting, a story of love, hurt, and courage begins. Todd Mitchell has created an easy-to-read book that draws readers into its intricate plot. Between promises, hopes, and tears, Kiri and her friends will touch readers’ hearts in a way both bitter and sweet. You will never be the same.
The Last Panther is an adventurous book taking place in the future where many animals are extinct or thought to be extinct. In this setting, a story of love, hurt, and courage begins. Todd Mitchell has created an easy-to-read book that draws readers into its intricate plot. Between promises, hopes, and tears, Kiri and her friends will touch readers’ hearts in a way both bitter and sweet. You will never be the same.
March 10, 2024
The Last Panther is a young adult novel that is about a lot of things: the danger of climate change, tribalism, food scarcity, survival, science, etc. The novel centers around a girl named Kiri who is torn between two worlds, her mother's tribe of maritime hunters and scavengers, and her father's world of science and utopian ideals. She struggles with her identity, but also with her empathy. Kiri feels the duty to protect endangered animals in the environment she lives in. Her tribe wants to eat them to survive, and her father's people want to capture and keep them in a pen to breed them. But Kiri wants them to be free - namely the last panther, and animal she crosses paths with after she fails to save another from slaughter. One of this book's strengths is its vivid imagery. It is very descriptive and brings its world to life very quickly. I think that teachers could use this book to show the many shades of gray in the world concerning important topics, as this book does not display things as black and white, strictly good or evil.
October 22, 2017
This is an ideal book for my sixth grade science curriculum! This year our science curriculum includes natural resources, waste disposal, pollution, erosion, deposition, biodiversity, ecosystems, and how human interaction with the natural world has a profound impact on the health of the planet. Which then brings us to the impact to our own health. Todd brings us a story from the not too distant future where the collapse of biodiversity is wrecking its vengeance on the ability of the planet to sustain life - including human life. Through the eyes of Kiribati and her father, we learn of two worlds that are culturally miles apart from one another, but both are desperately trying to survive. One group sees and understands the big picture of the planet and how it should work - this is the world of the scientists. The other group are the people living on the edge (literally and figuratively) trying to feed and protect their families.
Bringing this story into a classroom allows fictional characters to bring focus to many of the issues we are discussing today - from renewable energy sources to climate to the severity of storms to the intensity of drought fueled wildfires to the 6th extinction to the loss of pollinators to the loss of predators. All of these topics are interwoven. Discussing what Kiribati and her friends are experiencing allows us to recognize and discuss those same topics as they exist in the world today.
Thank you Todd - and your girls for inspiring you to introduce us to Kiribati and The Last Panther.
Bringing this story into a classroom allows fictional characters to bring focus to many of the issues we are discussing today - from renewable energy sources to climate to the severity of storms to the intensity of drought fueled wildfires to the 6th extinction to the loss of pollinators to the loss of predators. All of these topics are interwoven. Discussing what Kiribati and her friends are experiencing allows us to recognize and discuss those same topics as they exist in the world today.
Thank you Todd - and your girls for inspiring you to introduce us to Kiribati and The Last Panther.
August 22, 2017
What I love most about this book is the environmental ethic—something we need more good books about for young readers. Don't get me wrong--there's a compelling story that catches the reader up in another world, a very magical world! --- but it’s also a cautionary tale about living in an ecologically damaged place (and the resources and dedication it takes to make it better). This novel brings the gorgeous human heart and our gorgeous only planet into full view—captured wonderfully in a beautiful story of grace.
October 16, 2025
The Last Panther, by Todd Mitchell, is a wonderful story intended for middle-grade readers (ages 8-10) to enjoy. The story follows the life of the protagonist, Kiri, an 11-year-old girl who is strong, powerful, and ambitious, with a best friend who is a rat named Snowflake. Readers will enjoy embarking on this adventurous story while also being engaged by the importance of the relationships between family, friends, and nature. One of the strong qualities of this story is the themes portrayed, one of the major ones being the importance of protecting the environment and the animals that live in it. One of the biggest strengths of this story is the vivid setting provided by Kiri's surroundings, which include her stilt house in the swamp, the beach, and the city. An example of this is when Kiri is described as running across the wind-rippled sand and into the seagrape tunnels. Kiri faces and overcomes many obstacles throughout the story, but ultimately continues to fight for what she believes in. In my opinion, the beginning of the story does seem slow, but it does capture the reader's attention. Definitely a heartfelt and powerful story, I would recommend it to anyone 8 years old and older.
September 1, 2017
Todd Mitchell's The Last Panther is a magical, lyrical tale of the healing of a world, a people, and one very special young girl. There is so much to love about this book: the characters (Kiri is an absolute delight and I adore her heart for animals), the world building, and the call to action to increase conservation efforts for all endangered species. Best of all was the overall message that it is not too late. Highly recommend for schools and school libraries.
May 7, 2024
This is an excellent book for elementary/middle school readers with sophisticated, but digestible, messages about climate change, ethical conservation and preservation efforts, the struggles of being caught between communities you love, and what it means to find yourself and to stand up for what you believe in. It’s a story that does a great job of displaying nuanced conflict, especially for a younger audience. If I was a teacher, I would very much have this book in my curriculum.
October 8, 2017
For every teacher's shelf- awareness learning to honor this big blue marble we all love and share and call home. Kiri's journey teaches resilience under fierce challenge, and while today's children face many real challenges, this message serves as a voice of appreciation for all walks of life. It is a testimonial to speak to the future. A book for those who wish to preserve and protect the pillars of the earth. For Young and old provocateurs who can, and hopefully will shake us all to awaken to the spirit of the last panther inside.
Read
February 26, 2024"The Last Panther" by Tod Mitchell is a refreshing dystopian vision of a dying world, and the importance of revering the creatures in our world. It is the story of Kiribati, a girl who is attacked and wounded by a panther, sparking a heated debate between the Fugees, who live outside cities, and her father. The story hinges upon the conflict of views between Wallers (who live inside cities) and Fugees, who hold one another in ongoing contempt because of vast differences in their ways of life. When Kiri is wounded, her father plans to catch it in hopes of saving it (and Kiri, who is sick with infection) while the Fugees wish to catch it and sell it for goods to provide for the village. Kiri sets out to save it from both sides, finding that the panther also has cubs.
The escalating conflict leads to Kiri trying to set the panther free, only to have it die and Kiri taken away by Wallers. She learns that her father and the Wallers have been keeping animals in their facility to protect them from a world full of dangers, such as poachers and pollution, and that there were few safe places left for them to live. Her and her father are offered a place in the city, but Kiri had better ideas. She didn't want to live in the city, and she knew the panther cubs didn't need to live here either. She set out to make her point, convincing the Fugees, then trying to win over her father and the Wallers.
"The Last Panther" handles several topics well, especially the issue of preservation and a respect for Mother Nature. By using elements such as visions and animal symbolism, it weaves a tale that demonstrates the how man and nature often clash, and how each have their place in this world. The portrayal of Waller society added as science fiction element, showing the vast difference between their world and Kiri's.
The escalating conflict leads to Kiri trying to set the panther free, only to have it die and Kiri taken away by Wallers. She learns that her father and the Wallers have been keeping animals in their facility to protect them from a world full of dangers, such as poachers and pollution, and that there were few safe places left for them to live. Her and her father are offered a place in the city, but Kiri had better ideas. She didn't want to live in the city, and she knew the panther cubs didn't need to live here either. She set out to make her point, convincing the Fugees, then trying to win over her father and the Wallers.
"The Last Panther" handles several topics well, especially the issue of preservation and a respect for Mother Nature. By using elements such as visions and animal symbolism, it weaves a tale that demonstrates the how man and nature often clash, and how each have their place in this world. The portrayal of Waller society added as science fiction element, showing the vast difference between their world and Kiri's.
February 20, 2021
The Last Panther by Todd Mitchell is one of the most intriguing children’s books I’ve ever read. The plot is unpredictable while still easy to follow. The main character an eleven year old girl, Kiri, is determined with a connection to nature. She lives on an exotic island full of dangerous creatures, swamps, forests, and beaches which attract young curious readers. Kiri’s struggle to mend relationships between her father and the island inhabitants connect young readers own relationship difficulties as they begin to create social circles outside of the home. As for curriculum this would be a fantastic book to read during environmental or climate change lessons as it depicts the importance of protecting the ecosystem. A mystical element presented through the tale of devi’s and once where creatures draws the audience into the plot. The storyline keeps you interested and ready to find out more and I think it would engage any aged reader.
September 14, 2017
In a future ravaged by climate change, what's left of humanity is polarized into the Fugees, refugee communities who make sure no one goes hungry or sick, even if it means killing every last endangered animal, and the Wallers, the wealthy who hide in their gated communities and who are determined to save the environment even if it means leaving the Fugees to die of starvation and disease. But eleven-year-old Kiri, who straddles both worlds, is desperate to find a third way that will save the Fugees, the Wallers, and the once-were creatures that have one last chance to avoid extinction.
This is the middle-grade book I wish I'd had when I was ten, a splendid mix of survivalist adventure, mystical journey, and the painful realization of the world's unfairness. It's rare and refreshing to read a book where there are no easy answers and no real villains, just human beings with very different, urgent priorities that don't go away just because the heroine feels she's in the right. It's also delightful to read a book that makes no big deal of having equal numbers of interesting, active male and female characters: shamans and fisherfolk, scientists and warriors.
This is definitely the one to give your kid if you have fond memories of Island of the Blue Dolphins, Bridge to Terebithia, and The Witch of Blackbird Pond and want them to have that same experience of falling in love with a great book. You'll probably want to sneak it off their shelves and give it a read yourself, as well.
This is the middle-grade book I wish I'd had when I was ten, a splendid mix of survivalist adventure, mystical journey, and the painful realization of the world's unfairness. It's rare and refreshing to read a book where there are no easy answers and no real villains, just human beings with very different, urgent priorities that don't go away just because the heroine feels she's in the right. It's also delightful to read a book that makes no big deal of having equal numbers of interesting, active male and female characters: shamans and fisherfolk, scientists and warriors.
This is definitely the one to give your kid if you have fond memories of Island of the Blue Dolphins, Bridge to Terebithia, and The Witch of Blackbird Pond and want them to have that same experience of falling in love with a great book. You'll probably want to sneak it off their shelves and give it a read yourself, as well.
October 26, 2017
5 plus stars!! Loved every word. Mock Newbery list 2018
October 12, 2017
My Newbery pick for this year. let it be known now.
January 9, 2018
THE LAST PANTHER has characters that are finely crafted and believable. I especially liked how Mitchell wrote all of them with compassion in a way that allowed the reader to understand and identify with each of their motivations. The world he built and Kiri’s problem within it was also finely done. Honestly, who can’t root for baby panthers! Yet it’s a compelling parallel for the ecological challenges of extinction occurring in today's world.
November 21, 2017
I am an elementary school librarian, and I read this book with small groups of 4th and 5th graders in preparation for an author visit from Todd Mitchell. The students loved this book, and it sparked insightful and in-depth conversation about the characters, setting, and issues of climate change and conservation. The story is fast-paced and filled with beautiful imagery and relatable characters. It really did make my students wonder and question, and it was a special experience for them to get to meet Todd Mitchell in person!
April 3, 2022
Last Panther follows Kiri, a young girl who lives on an island and is stuck between worlds. One of her parents is a fugee. Fugees are people who live in the village near Kiri and her father's home on the island and are struggling to provide for themselves. Kiri's father is one of the wallers, people who live in the city, enclosed by walls, distanced from nature, and able to access resources easily. This creates tensions and conflict over use of resources and differences in culture. Once-were creatures, animals of the past who are thought to not exist anymore, are discovered, heightening existing tensions between the fugees and Kiri's waller father. When the titular creature, a panther, is discovered, conflict ensues, and Kiri begins to realize the importance of these creatures to the well-being of the island and nature as a whole.
I read this book as a part of my Children's Lit class, and highly enjoyed it. So many aspects would be enjoyable, useful, and impactful if used in a classroom. The figurative language in this book, particularly similes, metaphors, and imagery, was so well written and at times very poetic, yet easy for young readers to comprehend. The way the themes and concepts are explored in this book are also very well done, easing children into real-life situations and considerations without overwhelming them. Kiri's struggles in her identity provide a relevant theme for readers coming of age and trying to understand and decide who they are, who they stand with, and what they stand for. The environmental messages were great and easily understandable for the intended Middle-Grade audience. They were not too preachy so as to lose childrens' attention, but were serious and engaging enough in their delivery to truly make an impact.
Last Panther was overall an enjoyable, impactful, immersive, and emotional read.
I read this book as a part of my Children's Lit class, and highly enjoyed it. So many aspects would be enjoyable, useful, and impactful if used in a classroom. The figurative language in this book, particularly similes, metaphors, and imagery, was so well written and at times very poetic, yet easy for young readers to comprehend. The way the themes and concepts are explored in this book are also very well done, easing children into real-life situations and considerations without overwhelming them. Kiri's struggles in her identity provide a relevant theme for readers coming of age and trying to understand and decide who they are, who they stand with, and what they stand for. The environmental messages were great and easily understandable for the intended Middle-Grade audience. They were not too preachy so as to lose childrens' attention, but were serious and engaging enough in their delivery to truly make an impact.
Last Panther was overall an enjoyable, impactful, immersive, and emotional read.
April 2, 2023
The Last Panther by Todd Mitchell is a great book to read with elementary school children. The female protagonist, Kiri, is stuck between two worlds. After the death of her mother the distrust between her mother’s community (the fugees) and her father’s community (the wallers) is especially pronounced. This is the most poignant conflict of the story. It is so relatable for humans, including children, to feel between two worlds: mom’s house or dad’s house, not Mexican enough but not White enough either, new friends and old friends. Kiri’s journey to understand her identity is nuanced and relatable making a great story arc. Not only does this conflict effect Kiri’s personal journey, but it is a societal conflict as well.
The conflict written between the two communities can start great conversations about respecting others who are different from us and how this lesson can be applied to our real lives. The two communities show vastly different belief systems and how they interact with each other. I love this part of the story and it can be a great opportunity for children to learn how important it is to respect others even when their perspectives are different from ours.
Finally, the namesake feature of the story is the narrative around the loss of species in our world. Mitchell shows what it looks like to be a kid who has only heard of many animals because they are now extinct. The story allows the reader to reflect on the impact losing species now can have on future generations.
The conflict written between the two communities can start great conversations about respecting others who are different from us and how this lesson can be applied to our real lives. The two communities show vastly different belief systems and how they interact with each other. I love this part of the story and it can be a great opportunity for children to learn how important it is to respect others even when their perspectives are different from ours.
Finally, the namesake feature of the story is the narrative around the loss of species in our world. Mitchell shows what it looks like to be a kid who has only heard of many animals because they are now extinct. The story allows the reader to reflect on the impact losing species now can have on future generations.
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