From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8?Drama, adventure, and danger are all part of this exciting look at the life of Ndovu, an African elephant. The amazing cohesiveness of the herd and the elephants' love and care for their offspring fill the youngster's early days. From drought, through storm and menace by lions and other predators, readers see the most deadly enemy of all slowly decimate the animals for the gruesome prize of their tusks. Caras reveals other aspects of African wildlife and nature throughout; black-and-white photographs illustrate the text. The author does a fine job of personalizing both the animals and the humans who see them only as cash in hand. His plea is not only for the outlawing of ivory as a commodity, but also the need to see ivory hunting in the same light as human sacrifice, cannibalism, or other barbarous acts. This is a touching and rewarding work that can be read not only for information but also as a great story.?Eva Elisabeth Von Ancken, Trinity Pawling School, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. Caras blends a descriptive biography of a bush elephant and an urgent plea to end the ivory trade into an accessible adventure that provides a wealth of information about equatorial Africa and its elephants. He follows the elephant Ndovu, a composite based on Caras' own observations and the research of others, from birth to adulthood--depicting a life filled with natural disasters and deadly encounters with human beings. An ardent conservationist, Caras harshly criticizes poachers and condemns corrupt officials and military officers who profit from ivory. Researchers will be limited by the narrative approach and the absence of both documentation and an index, but middle-graders interested in elephants or conservation will enjoy the book. Chris Sherman
