The White Giraffe [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Lauren St. John (Author), Adjoa Andoh (Reader)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Martine’s parents are killed in a fire, and she must leave her home in England to live on a wildlife reserve in Africa with a grandmother she never even knew she had.
As soon as Martine arrives at the reserve, she hears whisperings of a mythical animal living there–a white giraffe. No one has ever seen the animal, but it leaves footprints behind. Her grandmother insists that the white giraffe is just a legend, but then, one stormy night, Martine looks out her bedroom window straight into the eyes of the tall and silvery animal. The white giraffe is real!
But why is everyone keeping the giraffe’s existence a secret? To find out, Martine will use all of her courage and smarts, and an emerging gift for healing, in a daring adventure to save her new friend.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–7—Imagine the rich surroundings of South African wildlife, the mystical stories surrounding a rare white giraffe, and an orphaned girl. Such is the backdrop for this heartwarming story. When her parents are killed in a house fire, Martine, 11, is sent to live with a grandmother she didn't know she had at a wildlife sanctuary. The cold, hands-off woman offers little comfort to a displaced, grieving child, leaving Martine to fend for herself in a foreign land. When a local woman tells the child that she has "the gift," Martine doesn't know what it is or why she would have it. Then she learns of a white giraffe and poachers' intent on capturing it. The story unfolds into a legendary tale full of intrigue and what life demands of a young chosen one. African folklore adds a touch of magic to the story and will help readers understand the supernatural beliefs of an ancient culture. Enjoyable characters offer a glimpse of local culture through Tendai, a Zulu tribesman, and the local mystic, appropriately named Grace. The bush healing techniques are especially interesting. Although a few sections need more fleshing out, the story is captivating and well spun.—Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Losing parents in a tragic fire and restarting life with an unwelcoming grandmother would be overwhelming for most 11-year-olds, and Martine is no exception. What's worse, Martine has never met her grandmother, who presides over a large game preserve in faraway South Africa. Even so, from the moment Martine steps off the plane, she senses that her new home holds a special destiny, one that begins to unfold when she learns about a legendary white giraffe. The beautiful creature appears one day, and Martine, who is just becoming aware of her own mystical gifts, begins a heroic journey that leads her to expose and prevent the destructive work of poachers. Though the fantasy elements will probably be the strongest draw here, St. John nods to the politically turbulent backdrop: at one point, a black employee of the preserve refers to his difficult upbringing in an apartheid-era township. Magic realism, adventure, and a well-realized setting combine in this appealing tale, which will resonate particularly with conservation-minded children. O'Malley, Anne --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Listening Library (Audio); Unabridged edition (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739350528
• ISBN-13: 978-0739350522
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 6.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #966,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great first novel, June 23, 2007

By 

SFaye "sfh" (sfh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The White Giraffe (Hardcover)

I have to admit, I was first attracted to this book because of it's beautiful cover. After reading the first chapter, I was completely hooked. It's a wonderful story about a girl named Martine who, after the loss of her parents, must move to a wildlife park in Africa. The story focuses on a mysterious white giraffe who is only rumored to exist in the park. Lauren St. John also adds themes of family and friendship to this novel. Beautiful and descriptive language make this a great read, both for adults and children.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 year old daughter loved this book, February 26, 2009

By 

Dave Millman "davemill" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White Giraffe (Paperback)

My daughter says: This is the best book she's ever read. She thought it was extremely exciting, and she loved the cliff hangers at the end of some chapters. She told us about what she read each day over dinner each night, and it sounded quite intriguing. She asked me to write a review, and to make sure it was five stars. We hope your children enjoy it as much!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming - Magical - A lovely story., September 20, 2008

By 

S. Barnes (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The White Giraffe (Paperback)

What a wonderful story. For ages approx. 8+ but I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult too!

This is the story of Martine. She's 11 years old when her parents are killed and she's sent to live in Africa with her only living relative, her grandmother. Her grandmother doesn't seem to be all that pleased to see her, but Martine soon finds the delights of living at Sawubona, a game reserve, compensate for her grandmother's strangeness. All the same, Martine wonders what makes her grandmother act so strangely... what is she hiding from Martine? Martine not only has the difficulty of being without her parents in a foreign country, but the challenge of starting at a new school too. Can she befriend the quiet boy, Ben, who sits all alone at break time and doesn't ever speak? Back in the wilderness, is there such a creature as the 'white giraffe' or is it just a mythical African story?

This is a lovely, magical story, full of the warmth, mysticism and ruggedness of rural Africa. Really well-written, and with simple yet effective black and white illustrations to help bring the pages alive. I can highly recommend it.