When young pickpocket Danny accidentally buys an elephant at an auction, he finds himself swept up on an unforgettable adventure. Offered a job by a zookeeper, all he has to do is ride Maharajah from Edinburgh to Manchester in one week. Everyone in the country is watching, even the Queen, but the journey soon proves to be filled with drama and danger. A rival zookeeper will stop at nothing to make sure they fail, and soon Danny’s shady connections from the past threaten to overturn the mission. Can Danny win the trust and friendship of the elephant and guide him home? Can the two of them stick together through the odds and win the day?
The Good
Even though Danny is a thief, he doesn’t steal from Mr. Jameson, the zookeeper who actually bought the elephant.
The Bad
Danny is an orphan boy and pickpocket who lives in the worst part of town. Frank Scatcherd, the cruelest criminal in Edinburgh, physically abuses Danny in the beginning and end of the book. Danny falls into a river.
Ages
Ages 10+ should read this book. A good read-aloud for older kids.
My Take
I thoroughly enjoyed The Elephant Thief. It has a great storyline and characters. I’m looking forward to reading more of Jane Kerr’s books. The Elephant Thief is definitely on my list of books to recommend to others. The very first part of the book is dramatic and violent, so don’t let any younger children pick it up and scan it.
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| Romance | |
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Review by Kaitlyn