The Elephant Girl

by James Patterson

Brought to you by Penguin.

Jama is a clever and sensitive young Maasai girl who likes elephants better than people.

She decides to escape the classroom gossip about the new boy, Leku, by going to the watering hole outside her village. There, she befriends a baby elephant that she names Mbegu.

When Mbegu's mother, frightened by poachers, stampedes, Jama and Mbegu are blamed for two deaths—one elephant and one human. Now Leku, whose mysterious and imposing father is the head ranger at the conservancy, may be their only lifeline.

A beautiful, heart-pounding story of a girl, an elephant and their life-changing friendship.

Genres: Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction, Africa, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

First published July 25, 2022

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing YA book that is beautifully written to show not only another culture but a heartwarming story of elephants. It was well written where any reader would be able to connect with the main character. It will leave the reader with tears in your eyes.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy for an honest review.

[Diana N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartfelt story! I read this book with my kids and they loved seeing Jama develop a bond with the elephants, especially Mbegu.

The writing in this book is fantastic. It has a good balance of descriptions and dialog. I felt like I could imagine everything in full color as I was reading and understand the village and lifestyle. This book tackled real issues of elephant poaching and in such a way that is relatable to children. It was so easy to fall in love with our heroine.

Not a dry eye during Jama's heartbreak for her elephants and her triumphs!

Thank you to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good, but really emotional. I really loved the ending.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cover explained: This young orphaned girl throws herself in front of a young baby orphaned elephant to save it from the villagers stoning it to death. She herself takes a stone to head and is injured trying to save the elephant.

True account of a girl who loves the elephants and had a special bond with this baby elephant. But during a tragic accident, the villagers turn on both and both lives are in danger.

The culture, heroism, friendship, love, and enduring spirit are showcased in this fantastic story. The audiobook is incredible and available free on Libby. Totally worth the read/listen. Highly recommended!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love for elephants mixes with natural scenes and the determination of a young girl to draw in with heart and a tad bit of tension.

Twelve-year-old Jama has bigger dreams than the rest of the people in her village...not that she knows exactly what they are. No one except her family members seems to understand her. Her happy spot is watching the elephants at the watering hole, and after time, they seem to like her, too. When she runs across some dark secrets about the local head ranger of the conservancy, she's not sure what to do, but even that turns into a small problem when her own mother is trampled to death by the creatures she most loves, and the village declares revenge.

Except for the end, can I just say I really enjoyed this read? I'm not usually a fan of more serious, dramatic tales with obvious messages, but this one grabbed in the first pages and held me the entire way through. More surprising, it wasn't so much the action (yep, I'm an action girl at heart) but Jama as a character. It's rare that a character drives me through a read and even rarer that I want to now incorporate this one into the reading list for my homeschooled daughter. (I think this is, actually, a first).

This tale flows naturally and introduces Jama with familiarity as it peeks at life in an African village. The town barely has electricity, the villagers are in their own worlds, and it should feel exotic...but it with all of this, there's still enough sense of 'usual' that readers can sink right in. Details and scenes introduce a little of the daily life while keeping it more as a background setting. Because it's Jama and her desire to discover herself, which takes the stage. Even her connection with the elephants isn't over-the-top but gentle and realistic, making it easy to connect to and understand.

There's quite a bit of drama going on around Jama and not the cliche bullying a reader might suspect. She does have some problems with her peers, but this flashes by just enough to make the reader understand letting the entire atmosphere of the village, elders, and life filter in. Her supportive family and her independence make sure the bullying doesn't over-power the main journey of self-discovery. Plus, despite her inability to conform, it's not even a state she pursues. Yet, she's not confident as insecurity and hesitation make her likable and easy to root for. It's a refreshing and healthy mix.

Something is always happening, creating a very nice pacing most of the way through. While there are tense scenes, these never hit a level, which is too much even for the more sensitive end of the age group. I did find that it could have been more, actually. There's a death, which didn't seem as important to Jama as it should have, and the ending promised tension, which never came, as if glazed over. But then, as said above, the entire ending felt dumped in quickly as if to simply round things off. And yet, I still found this read, in general, very good and will close my eyes for the last bit.

I do recommend this one highly (obviously) and am glad I took the journey with Jama. I received an ARC and definitely enjoyed the read.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of The Elephant Girl, I wasn't sure this book was for me, but I kept reading because James Patterson isn't likely to let you down. I am so glad I kept going because right around page 40, I fell in love and could not stop reading. What a brilliant and beautiful story. I was hoping to perhaps do this as a read aloud in my second grade classroom, but the content is more aligned for 4th grade and up. This is a book with strong and important messages I would highly recommended to middle grade teachers.

[Donna Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous book about a young Masai girl who loves animals more than people. She follows a young elephant from birth into adulthood. She deals with several tragedies and matures into an intelligent caring adult. A heartbreaking and heartwarming coming-of-age book.

[Yamini · Rating 4 out of 5]

The whole reading experience was overwhelming for me as I couldn't control my tears most of the time. Jama, Mbegu the elephant, the wildlife trust, the love and loyalty of elephants and everything in between will stay with me for a while. While reading Adichie, you get a different picture of Africa, but this was different... Heart is full ❤️

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story about compassion, love, friendship, making our own families out of those surrounding you.

[erebus K Rushworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: blood, animal cruelty, guns, poachers, violence, teen betrothal, child abuse,

Really not quite a 3 star rating but I'm being kind.

A story that starts out interesting and colourful, but that soon degrades to a hackneyed edutainment special about the poaching industry in Kenya. Jana is a free spirited girl who doesn't like the idea of settling down and getting married because she wants to travel and see the world and make a life for herself. After losing her father she has more responsibilities about the house, and during her time of mourning she falls in thrall of a herd of elephants that lives within miles of her home.

The post-script says that the decision to make the measurements in Imperial, rather than the metric system used in Kenya, was to make it more accessible, but I find it telling, as it basically just means "aimed at a USA audience". I had to convert in my head and it was annoying to find out afterwards that they had deliberately used editorial privilege to fix something that wasn't broken.

I was listening to the audiobook version thinking, does having an "African-ish" accent lend this story credibility. All it really had me doing was Googling to see where this voice talent came from, and the answer was Haiti, via Caribbean and USA. The delivery was not bad, but the editing was a shameful mess; not even attempting to match the sound levels of cuts between sections that had been punched-in.

The action might have been entertaining for a teen audience, but the whole production felt more like a manipulative political tool than a kids' book, and while I found the first half entertaining, by the end I was just feeling condescended to.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal book for younger people to learn about elephants and the wonderful work being done to help them. Told from the perspective of a young girl, this is a fictionalized version of the early (and traumatic) life of the elephant Mbegu. Mbegu is a very real elephant who was rescued by the Sheldrick Elephant Trust. I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with her back in 2018 and she is every bit as magical as she is depicted in this story. It's a wonderful, unflinching, look at the truth of the dangers elephants face, wound well in with the pains of life for Jama, the narrator. I highly suggest it for any people with an interest in elephant conservation, regardless of their age. I knew Mbegu's story well before I encountered this story inspired by it, and I still cried from a wide variety of emotions. It is so well done, even with the understandable creative liberties it takes on occasion.

[Kathy Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jama Anyango is a twelve year old from the Maasai group of villagers occupying Kenya and Tanzania. Her father is deceased and she lives with her mother, Aluna, and her 100 year old grandmother. Her mother makes beaded leather sandals as a living.

Jama inherits her grandmother’s love of animals. She finds a secret place past their watering hole where she can watch the elephant herd. A baby elephant named Mbegu (meaning small seed) captures her heart.

When a disaster happens in her village, Jama and Mbegu have their bond with each other in order to survive.

This is a touching coming of age story that had me laughing in some parts and tearing up in others. This should be a classic. I loved it. Five stars.

[Trisha Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best middle grade books I’ve ever read. Based in Kenya, it explores the relationship between and orphaned Masai girl and an orphaned elephant calf. Tons of good culture info, and entirely wholesome.

[Bethany Dattolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. Such a wonderful, heartwarming story based on true events and so well written! The short chapters make it perfect for YA readers or even a read aloud. But it also reads quickly in general—I finished it in 3 days and cried at the end. I never realized elephants could get me so emotional! 🥰 I pre-read this as an upcoming book club pick for my 13yo daughter and her friends and I cannot WAIT to put it in their hands. Masterful.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book that teaches the reader about the diversity in Kenya in addition to the elephant and environmental conservation message.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this young adult book. It was very gentle but filled with proverbs and important life issues including loss and abuse.
It made me cry!

[Shaun Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I loved this book. Has some shocks and surprises you'd not imagine. Good read.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una historia preciosa que te hace reír, soñar, llorar y que a la vez te llena de esperanza. Todo un canto al amor por la naturaleza y los animales e incluso a la esencia del ser humano. Pues, a pesar de que hay muchos humanos que amenazan la conservación del planeta, aún quedan personas buenas en este mundo, gente que cuida con tesón de la fauna y la flora que nos rodea. Un especial recordatorio para niños y adultos de la importancia de velar por las especies en peligro de extinción.

[Jill CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and its portrayal of poaching and the consequences. Living near an elephant orphanage, I am fortunate to be able to observe baby elephants and their keepers. This book does a nice job of sharing that experience while telling a story. Suggested grades 4 and up.

[bjneary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sad, poignant story about a young African girl, her love of elephants, her loss, and her redemption. Jama relates to animals, less so with her friends, family and villagers. When poachers try to kill a mother elephant Jama has become attached to, the villagers & the rangers do not understand when the fearful elephant, trying to protect her baby, stampedes and kills Jama's mother. What transpires is an insightful, uplifting story for Jama who only wants to take care of elephants and expose the poachers. this is an issue that happens time and time again in Africa and other countries as the elephants are poached for their tusks, rendering baby elephants orphans and terrifying the natural order of the elephants. A must read!

[Josh Olds · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Patterson has made his name by using his name to highlight the work of his coauthors. The Elephant Girl, a story about a young African girl who protects elephants from poachers even at the expense of being kicked out of her village, is no different. Ellen Banda-Aaku is an award-winning Zambian author whose passion for African literature is clear through the corpus of her writing. Sophia Krevoy, an elephant conservation activist, is also credited as an author.

The Elephant Girl is a children’s novel intended for mid to upper elementary students. It follows the story of 12-year-old Jama, who has always been a bit socially aloof. Considered odd by her peers, she discovers better companions in the elephants who drink at the watering hole outside the village. Jama is portrayed as someone connected to nature, but disconnected with her community. The former is fine, but the latter is quite scandalous in African communities. Jama’s favorite elephant is a baby she names Mbegu, Swahili for “seed.”

Things become dire when poachers scare the elephant herd, causing Mbegu’s mother to stampede. When the dust settles, the elephant is dead…but so is Jama’s mom. The people cry out for vengeance—not against the poachers, but against the elephants—and Jama is left to grieve her mother while defending her beloved Mbegu. From here, the story takes an unexpected twist. Jama and Mbegu are flown out of the village to an elephant sanctuary, where Jama—still just twelve—is given charge of Mbegu. There is a bit of a plot regarding the poachers, but I won’t spoil any elements of that story.

The Elephant Girl is fine. There are a few uses of harsh language—one “damn” and one “hell” respectively—that seemed out of place for children’s literature. The story is straightforward and simplistic, with the pivotal point of Jama and Mbegu going to live at an elephant sanctuary seeming more fantasy wish fulfillment than even trying to seem realistic. It fits its target audience and the conservation motif is one that is very important.

[Latisha’s Low-key Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔼𝕝𝕖𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕥 𝔾𝕚𝕣𝕝
𝙹𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙴𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚗 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊-𝙰𝚊𝚔𝚞 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚂𝚘𝚙𝚑𝚒𝚊 𝙺𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚢
Children’s Chapter Book Ages 10-14
272 Pages
Pub Date: July 25, 2022

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs

In The Elephant Girl, poachers are killing the elephants in Maasai territory, and Jama will do anything to protect them. She has formed a bond with the elephants, a bond that can’t be broken. What will happen when her ethics go against her people?

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs

𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨, this story is spectacular. The authors told this tale, incorporating the Maasai’s beliefs and celebrations. This led to a heartfelt story that could make you smile and bring you to tears.

The story takes place in Kenya. Although it is fiction, it represents the real threat to elephants living in Africa and Asia.

Jama is the MC who is only twelve and different from other girls her age. That is definitely noticed by those around her. She is decisive regarding her beliefs and full of emotion when she suffers tragedies. You can’t help but love her. 💗

There are other kind characters and some despicable ones as well. I thanked the stars Jama had reinforcements from the good ones.

There is a glossary of terms for the Swahili language (I think that is correct) that is very helpful as many words are authentic and written in this language. Of course, I didn’t see it until the end. Even then, it helped me out.

The Elephant Girl is a quick read. I read it after I went to bed last night and couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed learning about the Maasai and the plight of the elephants.

Well-written and tied to your heartstrings, The Elephant Girl is a read for everyone. Pub day is July 25, 2022. I suggest pre-ordering it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review. I consider myself lucky to have been chosen.

[Vidya Tiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Thoughts (after turning the final page)
What can I say about this book? It is beautifully written, tugs at heartstrings throughout, leaves me in awe of the strength of the protagonist – the elephant girl, takes me right to the locations featured, all the while being so very real and believable!

More About What I Loved
- Learning about the Maasai culture, and at how the Maasai people connect with nature and wildlife
- The short chapters combined with a fast pace and beautiful, straightforward writing
- Underlying themes of beginning afresh, almost like the phoenix, and of forging friendships where you find them
- Both the glossary and authors’ notes at the end.

Note that this is realistic fiction, and does have events and incidents that might be disturbing to some young readers (older readers too) but is a must read despite that or rather, because of that; and in the end, it will leave you feeling so much more better for having read it.

Also, note that this is a book that definitely lends to conversations about conservation, discussions about poaching and elephant as well as wildlife behavior, and opportunities for learning so much more.

Final Thoughts
Heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time; inspiring and uplifting; empowering, entertaining, and educational, …I can go on about it, but will stop here and simply say that this is a must-read.

Keep in mind that once you get started on reading this book, you will want to keep reading it to the end.
So what are you waiting for? Get it here for yourself or someone you know will love it.

Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC from NetGalley, and these are my honest opinions.

[♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of this book, I wasn’t sure if it was for me but I kept reading and I’m so glad I did! This was such a good book and I couldn’t stop reading it!

Jama is a 12 year old Maasai girl living in a Kenyan village with her mum. Jama has become distant from her best friend Nadira who only seems to be focused on boys, whereas she is more interested in education and nature. Her dad died a few years ago and ever since Jama has loved spending time at her secret spot by the watering hole. From there she can watch the elephants that visit, and 1 day to delight she befriends the herd. She grows a particularly strong bond with the baby elephant who she names Mbegu. Soon the elephants are in danger as poachers are nearby and when tragedy strikes, Jama finds herself having to start a new life.

I loved this book! I found myself relating to Jama as she felt like an outcast from her peers and the fact she also prefers the company of animals over people. I cried lots in this book especially at the ending. I would recommend this book to children 10+. Support may be needed as some scenes are quite frightening with guns and abuse.

[Ashley Stumbo Peak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jama is a 12 year old girl who lives in an African village. Her Baba passed away 3 years ago from an infection so it’s just been her and her Mama. Jama is a bit of a loner. One day on one of her solo excursions she sees a herd of elephants come to a watering hole. She has never been this close to the elephants before and while she knows her Mama would think it os dangerous, she can’t help but return often to see them. She especially loves when a baby is born into the herd. After a sad turn of events, both Jama and the new baby elephant end up orphaned. Their story continues…

I read this book as a possible read aloud for my students this year. But I honestly didn’t love it. The story was ok. I loved the relationship between the elephant and Jama. I just wasn’t impressed with the story itself. I may let my youngest son try it out and see if he feels differently!

[Greta G. Hambsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

We listened to this book on a road trip with our 10 year old granddaughter. It was a beautiful story that gave us much to talk about and share thoughts. We talked about love and family, animal bonds, loss of a parent, differences in cultures, and finding your way when all seems lost. Sharing this novel will be part of our memories of this holiday.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly picked this up only because it's nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards - I'm not into animal stories, which is why this wasn't on my radar prior. I like how Jama's love of the animals was juxtaposed against her distance with others in her village, but I wasn't invested in the story.

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really great tale.

[Erika Sorocco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been a follower of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for years, I was highly intrigued by James Patterson & Ellen Banda-Aaku's The Elephant Girl when I learned of its publication, as it was billed as being inspired by true events, with a strong focus on wildlife conservation and the serious issue that is poaching. Though I can't say that The Elephant Girl is as strong as The One and Only Ivan, Pax, or Because of Winn-Dixie {all books that I have read and loved over the years} as there was a certain je ne sais quoi missing within its pages; I would recommend it to readers who have enjoyed those very stories as they are all character-driven, bringing some very charming creatures and human counterparts to the forefront - not to mention a great deal of information on poaching, corruption amidst park rangers, and the amount of strength needed to rehabilitate these beautiful animals.

Life has not been easy for Maasai twelve-year-old Jama Anyango since her Baba {father} passed away four years ago. In that time, Jama's mother has had to invest all of her time and energy into making sandals to sell in order to make ends meet. Though the sandals are works of beauty, and prized by all who purchase {mainly tourists}, the craft takes much out of Jama's mother, leaving Jama on her own quite frequently. Though Jama does not mind the solitude; the people within her Kenyan village are quick to comment on it in a negative light. You see, following the death of her Baba, Jama's mother elected to stay single - taking over the family business and proving that a husband is not necessary for survival. It is a mindset that has changed Jama in ways that not everyone in the village can understand - nor is it their business to.

Jama desires something more than marriage and family - she longs for education, the ability to make her own decisions, and the same freedom as boys. Unfortunately, it is this personal change that leaves her withdrawing from her best friend, Nadira, and the other girls in the village, as they are only interested in boys and marriage; in turn, the other girls and Nadira begin to exclude her from gatherings - isolating Jama and making her feel alone. After one such occasion, Jama begins escaping to a nearby watering hole outside of the boundaries her mother has set for her. It is her quiet place; her secret place. It is also where she develops a kinship with the elephants. There is Shaba, the leader, along with Bawa, Lulu, Modoc, Loasa, Tabia; and then, one day, she witnesses Shaba's birth of little Mbegu. Jama quickly develops a deep bond with Mbegu, and begins visiting more frequently - which is how she discovers a poacher in their midst.

Recently, the village has welcomed Solo Mungu, an employee with the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Head Ranger responsible for ceasing poaching practices seen within the Naibunga Conservatory - land which borders Jama's village. It is Solo Mungo's son, Leku, who the village girls are swooning over, but whom Jama views as a local bully. With Solo Mungo in the village, Jama is confused as to why a poacher would be so boldly present in the area - until late one night she finds a connection {not to mention a newfound ally}. Following the death of one of the elephants, the peaceful creatures become agitated, resulting in an unexpected stampede that ends in tragedy - forcing Jama and Mbegu, bruised and bloodied, to flee and embark on a new journey in a place different than they have ever known before.

When I say that this is a melancholy book, it is not an exaggeration. The Elephant Girl is steeped in sorrow; and while it was easy to finish within a few hours, it was difficult not to keep thinking about it. There is so much heartache that pours from the pages; but, as we near the conclusion, there is happiness - kind of like the rainbow after the rain . Though I predicted that I would never grow to so much as like Leku, he manages to redeem himself multiple times within the story. But it is Jama, both lovable and relatable in her plight of self-discovery and growth, along with her elephant family, who are the true stars. The sacrifices made, the dangers faced, the changes required...these were handled eloquently - as were the scenes starring the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. I do have two qualms though.

First, I found that the pacing was not always fluid - it oftentimes felt rushed and haphazardly put together, which detracted quite a bit from the enjoyment factor. Second, though The Elephant Girl is billed as being inspired by true events , there is nothing listed in the back of the book indicating the true events that inspired it; and countless time spent Googling for such information yielded zero results. This was disappointing to me as a reader who enjoys learning more about the inspiration behind a book such as this - but maybe that's just me. Overall, though it had it's flaws, I did enjoy the amount of information and heart compacted within this tale, and recommend it to animal lovers - especially if you favor elephants.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book written by James Patterson and Ellen Banda-Aaku was a great read. I always enjoy Patterson's books and I enjoy getting to ready other author's that he brings on board to aid in writing great reads with him. This book is unlike any others by Patterson that I have read and I know that it will be fitting for readers of all ages. I read this one in no time and was sad when it was over.

Jama is a young girl living in a village with her people. When her father gets a bad infection and can't fight it off, he ends up dying so it is just Jama and her mother left to tend to the sandal store that her father used to run. The village people don't think it is wise idea for Jama's mom to keep the shop and continue with the business. Jama and her mom are determined to show the village people that they can do just as well as her husband/father did with the store.

Jama goes to school with the other children from the village but has noticed that she is not interested in the same things that they are. Jama even is left out of some of the social gatherings that happen because of her differences. Jama has retreated to going to the place that makes her happy and where she can be herself and no one will say anything, with the herd of elephants that she has discovered on the outskirts of the village. Jama feels a strong connection to the elephants but she knows that she is not supposed to be where she is or interact with the large animals because of what they could do to her.

When an accident ends up taking Jama's mother from her too, she feels that she has no where to go and that she will never belong to the village where she grew up ever again. The village people turned against her and said some mean and horrible things right before she made the decision to go with on of the elephant rescue's after her mom's accident.

I really enjoyed getting to know and understand where Jama comes from and to see how Jama gets a chance to use her ability to connect with the elephants in her everyday life. Made my heart very happy. You will devour this book like I did and then long for more of Jama and her life. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.