Teddycats by Mike Storey

Bill lives in the Cloud Kingdom but he visits the forest below.  He's not supposed to but he sneaks out.  Luke, an Olingo, is his friend.  He's met his family and eaten with them and Luke wants to see his home.  Teddycats are warned they must not reveal their home to anyone.  They don't want humans after them.  Bill finally agrees to bring Luke up for a sneak peek.  It doesn't go well...

Razorbill and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this story for review (thank you).  It will be published July 12th.

Bill runs into a girl he has a crush on and she tells him off for bringing Luke in.  He tries to sneak back out, but a young Teddycat follows him and she gets caught in a trap!  When the human takes her away, Bill knows he has to get her back.

With scientists and poachers hunting them, it's not easy to find where they have taken the little one.  No one will go with them because it's too dangerous and they want to protect their home.  He starts out with a recovering jaguar, an old Teddycat guard, his friend Luke and some food and supplies.

The way is long and arduous.  There are dangers everywhere:  Animals they haven't seen before, a river to cross, a dry savannah, and traps everywhere.  Even when they get where they are going, it's hard going and they get trapped.  It looks hopeless but Bill and his friends get away and take the new friends they've made to freedom, too.

They have to find a new place to live and the only clue Bill has is the last words of the dying jaguar.  He heads toward the light and hopes he got it right...