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Summary
Summary
Abandoned in the jungle of the Nepalese Borderlands, two-year-old Nandu is found living under the protective watch of a pack of wild dogs. From his mysterious beginnings, fate delivers him to the King's elephant stable, where he is raised by unlikely parents-the wise head of the stable, Subba-sahib, and Devi Kali, a fierce and affectionate female elephant. When the king's government threatens to close the stable, Nandu, now twelve, searches for a way to save his family and community. A risky plan could be the answer. But to succeed, they'll need a great tusker. The future is in Nandu's hands as he sets out to find a bull elephant and bring him back to the Borderlands. In simple poetic prose, author Eric Dinerstein brings to life Nepal's breathtaking jungle wildlife and rural culture, as seen through the eyes of a young outcast, struggling to find his place in the world.
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-In the forest where the borderlands of Nepal meet India, a toddler is found by the elephant matriarch Devi Kali and the wise head of stable Subba-Sahib. The youngster, named Nandu, grows to be a gifted elephant driver and naturalist. Nandu has faced discrimination at school; resentment from older, less talented drivers; and confusion about his heritage. Yet his respect for the land, its creatures, and those who love and care for him help him develop a plan for a new future when the king's government threatens to close the facility. So Nandu sets off on his most important journey. With thoughtful and peaceful moments as well as adventure and danger, this is a lyrical coming-of-age tale that is enhanced by Kirby Heyborne's measured delivery. He captures the moods of the protagonist while varying the narration enough to distinguish among other characters. Note to listeners: find the "List of Important Words" (disc 6, track 17) and listen to that first. VERDICT This lovely story may be especially appealing to middle schoolers who are fascinated by the wonder of nature and faraway places. ["A solid choice with good values and themes that will engender discussion": SLJ 2/16 review of the Hyperion book.]-Jane Newschwander, Fluvanna County Public Schools, VA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Dinerstein, a conservation scientist, draws on his Peace Corps experience in the 1970s for his children's book debut, a compelling coming-of-age story. Nandu-an 11-year-old Tibetan child found in the Nepalese jungle by Subba-sahib, head of the Thakurdwara elephant stable-is raised to be a "mahout" (elephant driver) by his adopted father and the elephant he thinks of as his mother. When the Nepalese king threatens the stable with closure, Subba-sahib sends Nandu to school to learn to operate "in a world that is very different from the one in which I grew up." Nandu attracts wise teachers like Father Autry, a priest and conservationist, and Baba, a holy man, who nurture and guide Nandu. Nandu's experiences with ethnic prejudice (a plea for help lands him in jail: "A Tibetan driving an elephant? Ha"), as well as terrible guilt after he himself kills numerous "marvelous birds," make him attuned to dangers facing wild species, particularly elephants. Through memorable characters, an exquisite natural setting, and Nandu's direct narration, Dinerstein's story reveals the rich diversity and interdependence of human and animal realms. Ages 8-12. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
In the borderlands between Nepal and India during the 1970s, an orphan boy overcomes adversity to save his village and become a great elephant driver. Abandoned in the jungle as a baby and cared for by wild dogs known as dholes, Nandu is rescued by an elephant, Devi Kali, and the head of a royal elephant stable, Subba-sahib. That he thinks of these two as his parents is clear from the very outset of this first-person narrative: "My mother is an elephant and my father is an old man with one arm." But one day Nandu spoils the king's attempt to shoot a tiger, perhaps influencing the king's decision to close the elephant stable. Subba-sahib sends Nandu to boarding school, where he is again an outsider and bullied but where he also meets a white teacher. Together they collect bird specimens for the Smithsonian. Nandu and his friend Rita devise a plan to save the village by converting the stable to an elephant breeding station. Dinerstein (Kingdom of Rarities, 2013), a conservationist who has spent time in Nepal, brings his expertise to the story, occasionally overloading it with information on Nepal's culture, flora, and fauna. Although at times Nandu seems inordinately wise, this coming-of-age storya story of finding one's homesucceeds. This earnest tale will appeal especially to budding naturalists. (glossary) (Historical fiction. 9-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Through the eyes of 12-year-old Nandu, a hero worthy of The Jungle Book's Mowgli, naturalist Dinerstein brings to life his knowledge of the Nepalese jungle. Abandoned as a toddler in the jungle, Nandu is taken in by the one-armed head of an elephant stable and raised under the watchful eye of Devi Kali, a female elephant. Nandu, who loves the jungle and its inhabitants, wants to be a mahout, or elephant trainer, but with the king's government threatening to close the stable, his entire future is in jeopardy. A bull elephant would elevate them to a breeding stable, saving them from the closure, and Nandu, always an outsider because of the mysterious circumstances of his birth, is determined to find one and be a hero. Poetic and old-fashioned (in a good way), this coming-of-age story features a resourceful hero and a little-seen world. Dinerstein, who has lived in Nepal himself, beautifully recreates the lush, dramatically populated world of the Nepalese borderlands. Touching and unique.--Reagan, Maggie Copyright 2016 Booklist
