'The Stone Zoo' Author Anna Rudy is This Week's Whiz Kid

Stoneham Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

• Anna Rudy, 8
• Accomplishment: Rudy has earned more than $1,600 in the past six weeks raising money for her book called "The Stone Zoo."

Key to Awesomeness: Rudy is an 8-year-old animal activist that has always wanted to help endangered animals. She has taken classes at , aquarium and Audubon sanctuaries since she was five years, old according to her website.

Rudy has written and published her own book to benefit the Stone Zoo, according to a press statement. She has been selling the book door-to-door for six weeks and has sold more than 350 books and raised more than $1,600. The proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the zoo.

The book is called “The Stone Zoo” and, along with raising money for the zoo, Rudy hopes to raise awareness on how Stone Zoo is a great resource for the community.

"Anna decided to write a book, highlighting some of her favorite animals and events at the zoo," wrote David Rudy, Anna's father, in an email to Stoneham Patch. "She researched all of the animals featured in her book and interviewed zookeepers to learn more information about them. Anna paired her writing with photographs her mother had taken and used CreateSpace to self-publish the book."

Rudy said she is excited that she can help out her local zoo.

“I love the zoo and the more money they get, the more they can fix up some of their older exhibits and maybe even add some new exhibits,” Rudy said. “The more exhibits they have, the more people will visit which will bring even more money. I just don’t ever want the zoo to close down again. That would be terrible!”

The young author has published a book to help out a real-world situation and she couldn't be happier.

“It feels good to be published,” Rudy said. “I am just happy that I am helping the zoo.”

There are several reasons why people from the Stoneham region should visit Stone Zoo, according to Rudy.

“People should visit the zoo because it has some really cool animals like the black bears, bald eagles, jaguars, wolves and river otters,” Rudy said. “Also, right now the Masters of Flight: Birds of Prey show is going on and it’s my favorite event.”

“I like how the zoo is grouped into cool themes like Yukon Creek, Treasures of the Sierra Madre and Himalayan Highlands,” Rudy continued. “I like how they give the animals enrichment toys and I especially like watching the bears play. I also like the classes and the animal encounters. I’ve learned a lot about animals at the zoo.”

Rudy read her book at the Whole Foods Market in Woburn May 26 and she has donated copies of her book to local libraries and elementary schools. She has read her book to schools, book clubs and other groups as well. 

She has donated copies of the book to local libraries and elementary schools and has read her book to schools, book clubs, and other groups.

The book can be purchased at the , Stone Zoo's gift shop and also on Amazon.com and on Rudy's website.