Stranded in the coastal mountains following a devastating California earthquake, a 12-year-old boy and the chimpanzee he rescues from a wrecked van communicate through sign language as they struggle to survive.
"Jane Hyatt Yolen (born February 11, 1939) is an American writer of fantasy, science fiction, and children's books. She is the author or editor of more than 280 books. Her short story Sister Emily's Lightship won the Nebula Award." - Wikipedia