Lyons Regional Library

Four strangers board a plane and become fast friends. A catastrophic plane crash puts an end to the sufferings of three ill-fated passengers, Binky Gay, Dr. Fortness, and Eddie Hoke. For the fourth, Trask, a lawyer, it gives him a second chance, even though he believes his wife no longer loves him. Airline officials prepare to inform the loved ones of those killed, but Trask asks to be allowed to carry the news to the families of his friends himself....

Possessing encyclopedia-like intelligence, unusual zookeeper's son Pi Patel sets sail for America, but when the ship sinks, he escapes on a life boat and is lost at sea with a dwindling number of animals until only he and a hungry Bengal tiger remain.