The Elephant's Tale

Animal Healer #4

by Lauren St. John

Rare Book

Genres: Animals, Fantasy, Mystery, Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Adventure

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Lauren St John grew up on a farm and game reserve in Africa, the inspiration for her acclaimed memoir, Rainbow's End, and her award-winning White Giraffe series for children. Dead Man's Cove, the first in her Laura Marlin mystery series, won the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award in 2011. Her bestselling One Dollar Horse trilogy for teenagers was followed by The Glory, a breathtaking YA adventure and romance about a long distance horse race across the American West. Formerly a sports and music journalist, Lauren is the author of Seve and Hardcore Troubador: the Life & Near Death of Steve Earle, a superb, gripping biography of an Americana legend. The Obituary Writer, her first adult novel, was published in 2014 and she is currently at work on her second. Both The White Giraffe and The Glory have been optioned for film.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. It's part of the White Giraffe series. I love the entire series. It's a good read and it also teaches children about family and values.

[τλιϓλ · Rating 5 out of 5]

وأنهيت القصة الأخيرة من سلسلة مغامرات مارتين للكاتبة لورين سانت جون
بماذا شعرت بعد خوضي كل تلك المغامرات؟ مجهدة وكأنني مع مارتين وبن نركض ونتوه في الصحراء ونواصل البحث عن الحقيقة ووسيلة لحماية مانملكه
شعرت بالحزن وبكيت إبان لقاء غيفت ووالده بعد أكثر من عشرة أعوام مليئة بالمرارة والأسى
وإذ أصل الآن إلى آخر صفحة وأغلق الكتاب، احتبست مجددا بعض الدموع..

مارتين أشكركِ إذ سمحتِ لي بمرافقتكِ في هذه المغامرات الجميلة
أحبكِ صغيرتي وأدعو لكِ بدوام الموهبة الجميلة

بن يا صغيري الجميل، كن بخير وحافظ على نفسك، ستصبح رجلا ذو شأن حينما تكبر

وللكاتبة أقول شكرا، لقد تسللت كتاباتكِ للأعماق، شكرا من كل قلبي

لا يمكنني أن أصف شعوري حينما أغلقت الكتاب إلا بكلمات الأسى والحزن لأنني لن اخوض مغامرة مقبلة مع مارتين وبن.. ليتها لم تكن الأخيرة :'(

الترجمة كانت راقية ورائعة جدا، زادت الكتاب جمالا ومتعة. أحببتها كثيرا.

[Mia Devereaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this series when I was 10 years old and I will never get tired of it.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty cool book.

[Tanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the fourth book in this series around Martine, a child who has special powers to heal animals, follows a similar pattern as the previous titles, it was still a real pleasure to read the book. I asked myself what attracted me still so much to these books. I guess it is mainly the many interesting facts about Southern Africa, its countries, peoples and animals, that are gently woven into each of the stories, which really keep me reading. In the first book it was all about South Africa and giraffes; the second book focused on Mozambique and dolphins; the third book on Zimbabwe and leopards; and this fourth book gave me a chance to learn about Namibia and elephants. Did you, by the way, know that elephants can swim up to 300 miles? So I very much hope that Lauren St. John will keep on writing and I will get a chance to learn more about Southern Africa from her books.
(I read the Kindle version and was impressed by the good quality of the illustrations - however, there were too many typing issues for my liking, especially the repetition of sentences or parts of sentence.)

[Mitch Kaplan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are incredible

This book meant a lot to me, being a young child(I am reading on my fathers iPad) I know that is up to our generation to save our most precious recourse, the earth and I want to help in every way possible like the author said everyone can make a difference. I love this series because even though it is fiction it has an incredible bunch of real facts and I adore this mysteries. I know the author is stopping the series but these have been some of the best books that I have ever read. So even though she is not reading this comment I congratulate her and thank her immensely.

[Elizabeth Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elephant's Tale by:Lauren St. John, is a amazing tale about a girl who can heal animals! And saves an elephant herd from pochers. Even riskes her own life and her friend'sto save the animalsshe loves in her home of South Africa!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this book is really good, there's a really evil guy who's coming to take over the game reserve and now Gwen is going to England to try to find a will that will save the reserve. This book is a must read, there is so much excitement and it's a big page turner!

[Hanieh Sadat Shobeiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and magical. 100% recommendation

[Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the animal healer series so much the books a re super because it is about animals and there is always an adventure

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the fourth in the series by Lauren St. John. I loved the first one, The White Giraffe. I was hooked by the thought of someone having a connection to animals and there seemed to be a little bit of magic or mystique to the story. It was sad to think that this young girl would lose her parents and then go live with a grandmother that seems a little cold, but the story line works for the premise that this young girl has felt enough pain and loss that she would be emotionally practiced enough to care so much for the animals on their refuge. If she hadn't experienced the loss, perhaps she wouldn't be searching for something to fill the void she was feeling. The next two books were good as well as The Elephant's Tale. This story brings about a new crisis. A wealthy businessman has claimed that he will be taking their home and wildlife refuge from them because of a deal he made with her grandfather. Martine goes to her place where she can see messages for her on the walls with Grace and discovers what she must do to find answers to help save their home. She follows what she thinks is her path by hiding on a small plane. Ben goes with her and when the plane touches down, they get off. Unfortunately, the plane leaves them on a desert and they find themselves with little water or food. A boy named Gift finds them and helps them back to safety. He has lost his father who was known to be an elephant whisperer. The mystery of his father disappearing and the mystery of Martine trying to find something about the man who is taking away their home starts to blend. Ben and Martine stumble upon the Oasis that is being built. They find the elephant whisperer and some elephants that have been held captive. Martine helps an elephant and they are successful in saving the elephants. In the end, things work out. The story was exciting and enjoyable to read. Children in 4th grade and up would enjoy this book.

[Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently read The Elephant's Tale by Lauren St. John. In the book, Martine and her best friend embark on a journey to save their home at Sawubona Game reserve. As the story goes on they make friends and travel to Damaraland. They also find a dark secret about a "friend".
I really liked this book. This book is probably the second favourite book I have ever read. I really enjoyed the book all the way through. Lauren really keeps you on the edge your chair. She always keeps you reading the book and makes you not want to put the book down.
I would recommend this book to all ages. The book is very exciting and suitable for all. I think others would really enjoy the fact that it is so easy to read and how exciting it is. I hope many others enjoy this book the same as I did. I will be reading the last couple of books in the series next. I love the books love the stories.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth and possibly final book in this wonderful series by Lauren St. John about a young girl with special powers to heal living on a wildlife reserve in South Africa. This one sees her and her best friend Ben, stealing away to Namibia to try to prevent an unscrupulous man from stealing her beloved home, Sawubono, out from under her and her feisty grandmother. Action packed.

[Anu-vinkkari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jännittävä oli tämäkin ja tähän sarja sitten päättyy. Yksi epätoivoinen lukija kyllä pyysi minua kirjoittamaan kirjailijalle ja pyytämään, että sarjaan kirjoitettaisiin jatkoa. Googlasimme nimittäin yhdessä kirjailijan tuotantoa ja näyttää siltä, että tällä kertaa emme voi syyttää kustantajaa kääntämisen lopettamisesta ;).

[Natasha von Geldern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

This book is absolutely brilliant. But one thing I would say, Is that there could be a bit more description at the end. Otherwise, everything was perfect. This book contains a thrilling mix of mystery, adventure and love. I would highly recommend this book to anybody over the age of six. I loved this book. <3

[Amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, truly African story, that really touches your heart.

[Jaana Angeria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren St. John, Elefantin tarina (Nemo, 2009)

Kirjan päähenkilö on 13-vuotias tyttö, Martine. Hänellä on jäänyt orvoksi ja hänellä on salaperäisiä kykyjä, joiden avulla hän pystyy parantamaan eläimiä. Tytöllä on erityinen suhde valkeaan kirahviin, mutta niin kirahvin kuin Martinen koti on vaarassa mennä epäilyttävän liikemiehen haltuun.

Seikkailu vie Martinen ja tämän parhaan ystävän Namibiaan, ja siellä he saavat selville, miksi elefantteja katoaa  ja mikä on liikemiehen tai oikeastaan liikemiesten perimmäinen tarkoitus.

Kirjassa on paljon tapahtumia ja paikoin kuvailu on hienoa. Sain myös paljon uutta tietoa norsuista ja Namibiasta. Kuitenkin kirja on hyvin selkeästi nuortenkirja, ja lopussa kerronta on jopa viihdekirjamaista. Luulen, että noin 10-vuotiaana olisin pitänyt kirjasta paljon. Jos olisin luokanopettaja, saattaisin hyvinkin lukea kirjan äänen oppilailleni, koska ilmastonmuutos ja eläinten oikeudet ovat ajankohtaisia ja tärkeitä aiheita.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great younger teen series. Martine, a young girl from Hampshire, England, has a rough start in the series, but by this book, she is happily ensconced at the Sawubona game reserve, under the care of her Grandmother, Gwyn Thomas, and Grace, part Zulu, and called a Sangoma - a traditional healer/medicine woman with a mixed-up Afro-Caribbean accent. Tendai, the reserve caretaker is one of Martine's friends and protector. Ben, her best friend, has come to spend the holiday break with Martine. To Martine, this unknown African world is amazing, beautiful, and full of surprises. I love the descriptions of the reserve, Namibia, the desert, and Swapokmond. The hint of danger, the recklessness of Martine, and the various animal characters make this a great read.

[h · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this series as a kid I thought that this book would be the last in the series and while the ending was good, I wasn't satisfied. I'm very glad that she wrote another, I'm going to try and get my hands on it.

I really appreciate how much research Lauren St John does for these books. While writing this one she spent months researching elephants and even travelled to Namibia. So much dedication and I love her conservation efforts.

[katara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely series. This one is probably my least favorite out of the four so far (some parts were more on the nose than the previous 3 and I wanted a liiiitle more of the explanation of Martine's destiny) BUT still enjoyed it and just love our heroes Martine and Ben. Can't say enough good things about Lauren St. John!!! Solid 3.5!

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"That's funny, I jus had the exact same thought. The thread that runs through everything is the elephant's tale."

I started for the 4th book in the series, looking forward to reading the other three.

[هُدهُده ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

جميل جداً وأنصح بقراءته ☁️🌿💜

[Sinead M O Rourke]

What an adventure

I chose 5 stars as this book was incredible and really intriguing. The whole adventure was action packed and I couldn't put the book down.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Jenny Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and learned quite a bit about elephants

[Phoebe Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adventure packed tale that doubles as a middle grade mystery.

[Martyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ciekawa, fajna młodzieżówka, szybko się czyta ale chyba jestem juz na nią za stara 🤠

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sehr schönes Buch! Ich werde die anderen Bücher der Reihe auf jeden Fall auch noch lesen 😊

[Paula Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

prompt# 40 list 2024

[Norah · Rating 5 out of 5]

من اجمل الكتب اللتي قرأتها، حزن كبير راودني فهذه هي اخر مغامره مع مارتين وبن مع غريس وتينداي وغوين توماس، شكر من الاعماق للكاتبه على ابداعها