YA Sci-fi book from 1970s or earlier about a boy who discovers that Bigfoot/ Sasquatch are actually an advanced species of human.

[Michael]

I read this book in the late 1970's. A book is on some sort of camp or expedition in the woods and comes in contact with a number of Bigfoot/Sasquatch. He finds out they are an advanced species of evolved human. SPOILER: Eventually he learns he can become a Bigfoot and starts to transform. I don't remember the ending. I read it in elementary school so it had to have been published by 1978, and probably earlier.

BOOKS THAT THIS IS NOT:
Sasquatch by Roland Smith
The Boy Who Saw Bigfoot by Marian T. Place
Night Of The Sasquatch by Keith Luethke
Night of the Sasquatch by Eric S. Brown

[Rainbowheart]

Sasquatch Adventure?

[Michael]

Rainbowheart wrote: "Sasquatch Adventure?"
I found a plot description of that book online that says the Saquatch are primitive creatures, and they kidnap a boy and a girl. That is not the plot I remember, so, no.

[Rainbowheart]

I also found The Secret of Spirit Mountain. The plot revolves around Sasquatch, but the publication date is 1980.

[beichst]

I believe you are seeking the 1973 novel The Human Apes by Dale Carson. The species was not Sasquatch. But all the rest matches.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

"Todd and his friends, Diana and Johnny, are part of an expedition to study the mountain gorillas in Africa. Todd is drawn to a group of gorillas, one of whom speaks to him. He has discovered the human apes, humans who have spent 6,000 years camouflaging themselves behind gorilla-like characteristics. In their underground laboratories, their goal is to free themselves from the harmful characteristics of humans, eventually freeing the mind from the confines of the body into the complete freedom of the universe. They invite Todd to remain with them. Diana and Johnny remind Todd this means giving up being human."

[Rainbowheart]

That book sounds wild!

[Kat]

Now I want to know why Diana and Johnny aren't invited to stay, too.

[beichst]

@Kat. IIRC they essentially are. But they feel they do not want to give up what they consider as their humanity. Too, they are more optimistic about the chances for humans than what Todd is. Particularly Dianna.