The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

February 1, 2021

Gr 4-6-Being chased through a jungle by the King's guards is just one of the dangers facing Chaya, the 12-year-old Sri Lankan heroine of Farook's fast-paced and exhilarating novel. After stealing the Queen's jewels (in a Robin Hood scheme) and the King's royal elephant, Chaya escapes into the jungle with her two friends Neel and Nour. She is a brave and spirited girl who will stop at nothing to save her friends and her village from the King, who cares more for his own riches than his villagers. Along the way, Chaya frees Neel from the palace prison, confronts leeches, teaches Nour to survive in the jungle, and stays one step ahead, physically and mentally, from her pursuers. One of the many delights of this novel is the sparkling description of Chaya's rural Sri Lankan village, including the many references to colorful fruits and trees. More rewarding is Chaya's growth. While her intent is honorable, her theft jeopardizes the lives of her friends and family, but over the course of her journey, and with the support of strong secondary characters Neel and Nour, she develops more empathy. VERDICT A rich and joyful adventure story for those who enjoy daring escapades in a fairy-tale setting.-Shelley Sommer, Inly School, Scituate, MA

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January 1, 2021
A robbery leads to a jungle adventure set against a backdrop of political upheaval. Chaya, about 12 years old and daughter of the village headman, spends her free time stealing from the rich people in the King's City in order to help villagers who have fallen on hard times. When a boy in her village desperately needs medical care, Chaya pulls off her biggest caper yet: stealing jewels from the queen. Unfortunately, her escape is not so clean, leaving her best friend, Neel, who supports his family through carpentry, standing accused of the theft and sentenced to death. Chaya sets about making things right, leading to further complications. Ultimately the two friends escape to the jungle, accompanied by Nour, the curious and slightly na�ve daughter of a merchant, and Ananda, the king's elephant. Things go from bad to worse as the children trek through the island's jungle, learning to face their fears and rely on each other, with the threat of the king's verdict always looming. Chaya continues to make mistakes, never quite learning to think before acting. Though the pacing is somewhat uneven, the lush descriptions of the dense, beautiful jungle and a South Asian-inspired kingdom that evokes Sri Lanka shine through. The elephant, in particular, is a delight. All characters are South Asian; in this Buddhist country, Nour is Muslim. A lush wilderness adventure story. (Fiction. 8-12)

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February 1, 2021
Grades 3-6 Chaya's penchant to help the poor by stealing from the rich turns reckless when she pinches the queen's jewels and inadvertently implicates her best friend, Neel, who gallantly takes the fall. To rectify the situation, Chaya and rich newcomer Nour break him out of jail--escaping atop the king's elephant--before seeking refuge in a bountiful jungle to determine their next steps. Farook's debut is a perfect example of how to keep a novel action-packed while simultaneously developing characters and coloring the world. There's no denying our protagonist's fearlessness, and her morals are undoubtedly admirable, but Chaya's plucky wit and what appears to be jealousy toward Nour can come across as brash. Still, each character holds their own (Ananda the elephant included) as they explore the jungle and work together. Inspired by Farook's own early roots in Sri Lanka, the vibrant island-country setting is so lush you can practically picture the greenery and taste the tropical breadfruit. Though the conflict is tidied up a bit too simply, lovers of animals and adventure are in for an entertaining ride.

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March 22, 2021
In the island kingdom of Serendib, 12-year-old Chaya—“medium-brown complexion, hair in a long plait”—is the daughter of the village headman, “a minor official of the King,” and serves as her village’s own Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to help the impoverished in her village of Nirissa. This time, she’s managed to pull off her biggest heist yet: requisitioning the queen’s jewels. But when her best friend Neel, 13, a carpenter’s apprentice, is convicted of the robbery, confesses, and is sentenced to be executed within “about 20 hours,” Chaya is desperate to rescue him. Soon, however, breaking Neel out of the palace’s underground prison is the least of Chaya’s crimes when she steals the King’s prized elephant, Ananda, as their getaway vehicle. Accompanied by Nour, the daughter of a wealthy merchant “from the land of deserts,” the friends ride Ananda into the jungle, with the king’s guards in hot pursuit. Filled with lush descriptions of the South Asia–inspired landscape and delicious food, debut author Farook weaves a fast-paced, if at times tonally uneven, adventure against a backdrop of political upheaval. Ages 8–12.