“When a Meerkat Moves to the City” is 10-year-old Ella Schmeling’s first published book. First-prize winner in the Elementary School category of the 2016 Wordcrafters Young Writers Fiction Award Contest (Eugene, Oregon), Ella has both written and illustrated a charming story about Oscar the meerkat looking for his perfect home. Oscar, a refined and fancy meerkat, is so different from his family and friends that living in Africa proves difficult. After almost being eaten by a lion for just wanting to be friendly, Oscar decides to leave Africa in search of a place to live more suitable for a meerkat with his elegant manners and clothes---St. Louis. But the resourceful Oscar finds that it’s not easy to find the right place to live right away. In his search he meets many new friends, tastes some new food, and has some wild and wacky adventures. Will Oscar ever find his perfect home? Written and colorfully illustrated by the author for readers age 6-12, “When a Meerkat Moves to the City” also contains Facts about Meerkats for readers of all ages.