Jurassic Park

• Genre: Fiction; science fiction/fantasy
• Originally Published: 1990
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 710L; College/Adult
• Structure/Length: 7 parts and an epilogue; 464 pages; approx. 15 hours on audio
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: John Hammond, an experimental genetics CEO, plans to open a theme park showcasing the dinosaurs he’s brought back to life through genetic engineering. When external projects go awry, Hammond lures top-level paleontologists to the site as new consultants to freshen his image with investors, along with a small group that includes other scientists, park employees, and his grandchildren. One rogue employee’s attempt to steal dinosaur embryos sends the park into chaos, releasing the cloned dinosaurs and forcing all parties to employ their utmost ingenuity to survive.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Danger; graphic violence; death

Michael Crichton, Author

• Bio: Born in 1942; Graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College and obtained a degree in medicine from Harvard University; a postdoctoral fellow at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, researching public policy; taught anthropology at Cambridge University and writing at MIT; Writer of screenplays for film and TV, including the Emmy-winning series ER and the original feature film and series Westworld; winner of a Technical Achievement Academy Award (1995) for use of computer programs for film production; Jurassic Park was adapted to film in 1993 and received 3 Academy Awards.