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The Elephant Girl
By Mary Krawczyk,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Masaai girl comes of age in powerful, inspiring story.
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What's the Story?
In THE ELEPHANT GIRL, Jama is a 12-year-old Maasai girl living with her mother in their Kenyan village. Jama has grown distant from her best friend, who seems to be focused only on boys and marriage. Jama is more interested in freedom, education, and nature. When her father died four years ago, Jama found refuge and happiness in her secret hiding spot near the watering hole. She especially loves the elephants who visit there. After witnessing the birth of baby elephant Mbegu, Jama develops a strong relationship with the animal. When poachers arrive, events spin out of control, and a terrible tragedy occurs. What will Jama do in the face of great loss and rejection? Will she find the courage to defend the elephants she loves and to follow her heart and her dreams?
Is It Any Good?
This powerful, engaging, and suspenseful coming-of-age story is inspiring and heartwarming, despite some heartbreaking moments. At the center of The Elephant Girl is Jama, a smart, brave, and caring girl who perseveres despite challenges and tragedies. Jama's Maasai village and the wildlife rehabilitation center where she later works are vivid and interesting settings. Jama's relationship with the elephants, especially Mgebu, is beautifully portrayed. There's lots of interesting information about Maasai culture and traditions, elephants, and some aspects of wildlife conservation. Readers will also be inspired by Jama's courage, tenacity, and compassion as she stays true to herself and finds her way.
More sensitive readers may struggle with the level of tragedy, death, and cruelty, involving both humans and elephants, in the story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship of Jama and her childhood best friend in The Elephant Girl. Why have Jama and Nadira become distant? Have you ever grown apart from a friend? Why, and how did it feel?
Wildlife conservation, and especially the care of orphaned elephants, is a major theme in The Elephant Girl. What did you find most interesting about elephants or wildlife conservation that you didn't know before?
Jama is Maasai and lives among her people in a village in Kenya. If you weren't already familiar with Maasai customs and culture, what did you learn from reading the book?
Book Details
- Authors: James Patterson , Ellen Banda-Aaku , Sophia Krevoy
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models , Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Perseverance
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: JIMMY Patterson Books
- Publication date: July 25, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 14
- Number of pages: 272
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle, App
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: July 27, 2022
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