by Farook Nizrana (Author)

I have owned THE GIRL WHO STOLE AN ELEPHANT by Nizrana Farook as part of my “Africa/India” collection of middle-grade and young-adult books for a long time. But yesterday I pulled it from the shelf, opened it, and read the first short chapter. Then, I went to my couch, still reading. I sat down and read the second equally short chapter, then the third, fourth, and so on.  It really hooked me from those first pages.  Seriously.

Chaya, a girl of 8 or 9, walks out of the Queen’s bedroom in the palace (think Sri Lanka) with a pouch full of jewels, including a large blue sapphire.  A suspicious guard questions her, but allows her to go.  She’s just about outside the walls when she hears a shout behind her.  Oops!  The theft has been discovered, and Chaya takes off like lightning, avoiding capture and finally reaching her village.

See what I mean? I just had to keep reading.  It turns out this wily little thief is a genuine Robin Hood, stealing from the greedy rich to help out the very poor in her village.  That sapphire was to help a boy who was in danger of losing his leg after a crocodile attack.

From there, things get complicated. A friend is accused of stealing the jewels, confesses to protect Chaya, and is sentenced to death.  Now Chaya has to break him out of a dungeon prison before D-day.  A wealthy neighbor girl butts in and almost ruins things … but then doesn’t.  Explosions, all the prisoners escape, and Chaya and her friend are on the run deep into the jungle.  How?  On the King’s elephant, which Chaya stole, of course. And the little rich girl?  She’s tagging along too!

And so the adventure goes on, the three escaping one scary situation after another. They encounter leeches and leopards, bandits and angry villagers, until it seems that all hope is gone.  And then a miracle.

Such a good, clean, fun, suspenseful adventure story!  Kids will love it.  “I” loved it!.  It has sweet lessons in kindness, forgiveness, and a love for others.    I hope to pick up the others in the series.