The Girl Who Stole an Elephant - Hardcover

Farook, Nizrana

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1682632857 ISBN 13: 9781682632857

Publisher: Peachtree, 2021

Synopsis

Inspired by the lush terrain of Sri Lanka, this fun tale of friendship, risk, and reward is just right for middle grade fans of fantasy and page-turning adventure.

Chaya, a nobleman's rebellious, outspoken, no-nonsense daughter, just can't resist the shiny temptations the king's palace has to offer.

But playing Robin Hood for an impoverished community doesn't come without risks, and when Chaya steals the queen's jewels from a bedside table—a messy getaway jeopardizes the life of a close friend. After an equally haphazard prison break, Chaya barely escapes...on the king's prized elephant!

With leeches and revolution lurking in the jungle, Chaya leads her companions on a daring escapade. But after leaving her village as a thief, can she return as a hero? Or will Chaya's sticky fingers be the beginning—or the end—of everything for this ragtag gang of getaways?

About this title

About the Author

Nizrana Farook was born and raised in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the beautiful landscapes of her home country find their way into the stories she writes. She graduated from Bath Spa University with an MA in Writing for Young People and lives in England with her husband and two daughters.

Reviews

Gr 4-6-Being chased through a jungle by the King's guards is just one of the dangers facing Chaya, the 12-year-old Sri Lankan heroine of Farook's fast-paced and exhilarating novel. After stealing the Queen's jewels (in a Robin Hood scheme) and the King's royal elephant, Chaya escapes into the jungle with her two friends Neel and Nour. She is a brave and spirited girl who will stop at nothing to save her friends and her village from the King, who cares more for his own riches than his villagers. Along the way, Chaya frees Neel from the palace prison, confronts leeches, teaches Nour to survive in the jungle, and stays one step ahead, physically and mentally, from her pursuers. One of the many delights of this novel is the sparkling description of Chaya's rural Sri Lankan village, including the many references to colorful fruits and trees. More rewarding is Chaya's growth. While her intent is honorable, her theft jeopardizes the lives of her friends and family, but over the course of her journey, and with the support of strong secondary characters Neel and Nour, she develops more empathy. VERDICT A rich and joyful adventure story for those who enjoy daring escapades in a fairy-tale setting.­Shelley Sommer, Inly School, Scituate, MAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Peachtree
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1682632857
• ISBN 13: 9781682632857
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256