Martine is looking forward to the holidays and riding Jemmy, her white giraffe, until an accident sends her and Ben on a journey to the Matobo Hills wilderness in Zimbabwe. It is a lawless land, where nothing is as it seems. When they uncover a plot in which the fate of a magnificent leopard and the lost treasure of an African King are mysteriously linked, their friendship faces its greatest test. Far from home and the help of Grace and Tendai, and with Gwyn Thomas languishing, under false accusations, in jail, Martine and Ben must use every survival skill they possess. They'll come face to face with Griffin, Mercy, Mr Ratcliffe (known as Rat), Magnus the hornbill, and a witch doctor, not to mention Khan, the last leopard. They must decide who their friends are, and who are enemies, as they race against time to save the world's rarest leopard and each other. This third African adventure is written with all the zest and skill that have endeared so many readers to THE WHITE GIRAFFE and DOLPHIN SONG.
I am 46 years old and love these books. Lauren St. John writes in magic ink. I want to read every book she has ever written, minus the golf books. I just can´t get excited about those little balls. White giraffes, dolphins, leopards etc are a different story. I think everyone should read these books. Her stories are pure magic.
Wish I read this when I was given it at 10 But for a children's book it is a very well written fun adventure, the descriptions of Zimbabwe were amazing and obviously well researched, made me very nostalgic
This was the best of the first three in this children's series and a very engaging read for the most part. St. John includes more history, geography and African tribal culture than previously and this makes for a compelling read. In addition it is somewhat less preachy regarding respect for the environment and the conservation of wildlife species. Too bad about the bizarre epilogue which tries to close all loops very quickly through the personified voice of the rescued male leopard. A laughably absurd self-indulgence that weakens everything that precedes it. Even my daughter winced!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The latest book I have read was The Last Leopard by Lauren st. John. The book is about two teenagers and there grandma going to help a friend in Zimbabwe. When they arrive they realize the real reason that their friend needed help. The story follows the two teenagers as they search for Khan, the last leopard. I really liked this book. I really liked this book because it is packed with adventures and action. For example, the main character comes face to face with the biggest leopard on record. Another reason is that the story is very fun to read. Lauren St. John all ways keep you from leaving the book. She includes many cliffhangers and very exciting parts. I would recommend this book to anyone. This is because it is very fun and action-packed. I think all kids and adults would enjoy the book. I love Lauren st. john's books and will be reading her next one very soon.
The author's dedication to saving endangered wildlife is manifested in this children's book featuring eleven-year-old Martine and her friend, Ben. In this novel her aunt takes them to Zimbabwe to assist a friend who has broken a leg and needs help. As the story unfolds a giant leopard named Kwan becomes the crux of the tale. The elusive animal lives on the woman's land but many want to kill the huge animal named Kwan.
It is the girl's special powers and determination that she hopes will save the leopard but the path to that point is convoluted and chaotic. The children rush in where determined men who want animal pelts and trophies dominate. What they encounter is danger, bribery, kidnapping and corrupt police involvement. The story's theme focuses on what few can do to save endangered wildlife. I thing the book might be nspiring for the young who choose this read.
The third book in St. John's series, the Animal Healer, is again filled with Martine, and now, her friend Ben working unrealistic miracles to help animals, the people she loves, and to set matters straight with the bad people in the stories. The stories are entertaining for young ones. They are filled with scary adventures and happy endings!
I loved this book so so so much! It was so intriguing that I couldn't put it down! I definitely think this book is 5 stars as it is amazing! I would probably recommend this book for ages 12-14 but I think it could go a small bit out of that range. Overall, fantastic!
I personally love this series and I to get sucked into the book. It makes me feel like I am one of the characters and the author makes the details impeccable.I could not recommend this book enough.
Nepakartojama! Tiesiog gražu matyti, kaip Martina su Benu suartėjo per šias tris knygas... Nuostabi draugystė su baltąja žirafa, delfinais ir paskutiniu leopardu :>>>
I love all the secerets hidden everywhere in the book. Martine saving Khan the leopard is the stopping point of a rush of adrenaline that starts as soon as you know that Khan is hurt. Wonderful and truly amazing book!
I collect and adore Lauren St. John's works. You can say she's my first favorite author. If you like wildlife and animals, this book is perfect for you. This got me emotional in the middle. 5 ⭐
The Last Leopard is the third book in Animal Healer series by Lauren St. John. I haven't read the first two books yet so I was afraid it might be a bit difficult to follow but I was surprised by how easy the author made it to understand the dynamics between certain characters.
I absolutely loved the two best friend MCs Martine and Ben and the way they went of this adventure together in Zimbabwe for their summer vacation. The story was quite engaging AND imparted some much needed knowledge about endangered animals and illegal hunting/poaching. It is a good book to make children aware of the state of a few species around us and how it is imperative to stop people intending them harm.
It was a bit on the fantastical side with two kids being able to achieve what they ultimately did without any kind of adult supervision but I'll grant it a pass considering it is fiction meant for enjoyment.
Excellent book, 3rd in the Animal Healer series by Lauren St. John.
Orphaned Martine, who lives with her grandmother on a game preserve in South Africa, has special abilities as an animal healer (think dog whisperer). She can tame and help animals which would normally not want people near them. She and her friend Ben accompany Martine's grandmother to the Black Eagle Resort in a remote region of Zimbabwe where the proprietor, a family friend, needs help because of a broken leg. While there the kids learn about the huge leopard that roams the hills and is threatened by a greedy game ranch where captured animals are restrained and then shot at close range by trophy collectors. In the meantime, the Black Eagle Resort is also threatened by someone who wants its land for minerals and there's a mystery about a hidden treasure buried somewhere on its land.
The kids meet tribesmen who mostly see the leopard as sacred and a few who want to find the treasure at any cost. They meet the leopard and Martine is able to communicate with it. They survive a kidnapping and being lost in underground tunnels. In the end good prevails and it all turns out well.
Lots of action, exotic setting, puzzles and mysteries to be solved, and kids who reason out what needs to be done next. Late 3rd or 4th grade and up, girls and boys.