Elephant's Tale (White Giraffe) [Paperback]

Lauren St John (Author)

Book Description

Series: White Giraffe | Publication Date: July 1, 2010

It's the first day of the December school holidays and Martine has lots of fun planned for the next few weeks, not least spending time with Jemmy, her beloved white giraffe, and her best friend, Ben. But her plans for a peaceful holiday are soon shattered when a sinister man informs Martine and her grandmother that Sabuwona is about to be repossessed. The nature reserve, and everything in it, will no longer belong to them. Martine is determined to save the home she's grown to love. When Grace has a vision about a unique herd of Namibian elephants, she knows she must travel to Namibia to learn their secrets. This could be the answer to all their troubles ...The fourth thrilling African adventure, written with all the zest and skill that has endeared so many readers to THE WHITE GIRAFFE, DOLPHIN SONG and THE LAST LEOPARD.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7 This is the final book in a series that began with The White Giraffe (Dial, 2007), but it stands on its own. Martine, 11, has been living with her grandmother on a South African game reserve since the death of her parents. She loves the animals and land, and over the last year has discovered that she has the power to heal animals. But the peace and contentment of Sawubona is shattered when Reuben James, a former business partner of Martine's late grandfather, appears with a new will granting him ownership of the entire reserve. Martine, her grandmother, and all their employees must leave in two weeks. Martine is convinced that Mr. James somehow tricked her grandfather and vows to save Sawubona. She is encouraged in her effort by Grace, the local sangoma (healer), who divines her future and tells her that elephants will be a part of her quest. Along with her friend Ben, Martine sneaks into Mr. James's plane and when it lands they find themselves in Namibia. There they discover just what Reuben James has been up to and that they were right to mistrust him. The children manage to expose him and in the process save a group of mistreated captive elephants. This is a fast-paced mystery with an underlying conservation theme. Tween readers will be absorbed by the adventure, the animals, and the African setting. Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"The Elephant's Tale is the fourth book in a compelling series by Lauren St John. Set on a game reserve in South Africa it contains everything to make children sit up and listen to their bedtime story: the orphaned heroine with a gift for healing sick animals had my boys begging for just one more chapter." -- Daisy Bridgewater TELEGRAPH MAGAZINE "...there is a warmth and love for animals that raises this above the herd. It is an enjoyable, action-packed tale." TELEGRAPH "The interesting characters and compelling plot make this book an exciting read. There is a wealth of information contained within the story making the book feel like a learning experience as well as a piece of pleasurable literature. In the closing chapters of the book Martine uncovers some information about her future written on a cave wall. Are these spoilers left there by Lauren St John? I guess we will have to wait for the next book to find out." -- Sam North HACKWRITERS.COM --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Orion Childrens (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842557858
• ISBN-13: 978-1842557853
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandma's review, April 12, 2011

By 

Dianne Larsen (Glen Ellyn, IL, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elephant's Tale (Legend of the Animal Healer) (Hardcover)

I am a teacher. I read the White Giraffe and I enjoyed it so much that I read all the rest. I mentioned this to my 6th grade granddaughter. She read The White Giraffe so I had to buy the rest for her. She read all 4 in one week she enjoyed them so much. The books are not only entertaining but teach about cultural differences and geography.

4.0 out of 5 stars The Legend of the Animal Healer Series, January 15, 2012

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Elephant's Tale (Kindle Edition)

This series is about two friends who live in Sawubona,Africa and go all over Africa saving animals' lives. One of the friends, Martine, has a special power. The power is to heal animals. She uses her power to heal the animals and to stop people who are trying to kill the animals.

The main characters are Martine and Ben. She is an eleven year old girl who moved to Africa to live with her grandmother because her parents died in a house fire. Ben is also eleven years old and very kind and helpful.
Other characters are Grace and Gwyn Thomas. Grace is an African seer which means she can predict the future. Gwyn Thomas is Martine's grandmother. She owns the Sawubona game reserve.

I would recommend this series to those who like mysteries and adventure.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, November 25, 2011

By 

Charity Farrington - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Elephant's Tale (Legend of the Animal Healer) (Hardcover)

My son is 9 and has read all of the books in this series so far. He absolutely loves them all!!