Safari Journal

by Hudson Talbott

Twelve-year-old Carey Monroe has no idea what he's in for when his wacky aunt Elaine drags him along on an African safari. Soon after arriving in Kenya, Carey meets a Maasai man and his son, who open Carey's eyes to the ways of their people and the beauty of the African landscape and wildlife. Their adventures turn suspenseful when they encounter an international poaching ring that trades illegally in rhino horns and elephant tusks.
Explore the world of the Maasai people at Carey's side by reading his journal, filled with his vivid accounts, photographs, and illustrations. Hudson Talbott has created an exciting, informative safari story that will fascinate readers of all ages.
An author's note provides cultural context for Carey's adventures.

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Meribeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reluctant Carey begins an African journey, accompanying his Aunt Elaine, with a seventeen-hour plane trip seated beside “stinky Dr. Fatso.” Deciding to keep a notebook of the animals he sees, Carey’s first morning adventure includes the loss of his Frisbee to a hungry crocodile! Among Carey’s experiences are: traveling overland across Kenya with Maasai guide Mufongai and his son, Pilot; a visit to a Maasai village; and helping to rescue a small herd of goats caught under a tree in the midst of a wildebeest migration.
“Dr. Fatso” shows up again posing as a tourist, and acting like a poacher. Although caught in a somewhat unlikely set up for a twelve year old, Carey manages to get involved with capturing the poachers. Comments about the Maasai peoples’ attempts to protect their land and animals from outsiders, tourist intrusions and, abuse by poachers are included without preaching.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written journal style with illustrations and pictures, Safari Journal is a tale of a boy who goes on Safari in Africa with his eccentric aunt. He helps break up a poaching ring, makes friends with the Safari leaders son. I am giving it three stars because there were instances of disrespect and disobedience but because the story was good and it talked about animals and culture I thought I'd put up with it. Not a favorite but it held my sons' interest.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Alex Blose · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this African adventure, Carey Monroe goes with his Aunt Elaine to the safaris of Africa. On the plane ride there, Carey sits beside a man whom he calls "Fatso", who becomes someone that Carey must keep a careful eye on. Once Carey and his aunt get to Africa, they meet Mutongai and his son, Pilot. These two are helping Aunt Elaine while they are there, and Carey ends up spending much of his time with these two. During Carey's stay in Africa, he sees many animals and learns a lot about them, such as elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, and cheetahs. Once Carey, Mutongai, and Pilot reach Maasailand (where the Maasi people live), things take a strange turn and Carey must help his friends save one of the endangered animals from Fatso and his poacher friends.

I really liked how this book was written. It was written in the form of a journal, so it was easier to read because a lot of it was mostly just thoughts being written down on the page. It was also written in the language that a young boy like Carey would talk, so it was easy to understand for myself and I'm sure it would be for many students as well. The colorful pages make it fun to read and this helps to the overall learning that is gained from the book.

As a future teacher, I think this book would be a great one to read during a unit on the Safari, or just Africa in general. The pictures are wonderful and really make this book a great one. The reader can learn a lot about Africa and some of the people who live there, as well as many of the animals that are there. I think that this book could be used with grades 4 & up, depending on what you may be doing.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's fairly short but there is a lot of detail included. The story revolves around Carey Monroe who is on safari ("journey") with his Aunt Elaine. Not only does he get to see and experience the wildlife of Kenja but he also stumbles upon a poaching scheme as well. I loved the combination of journey entries and art and actual photographs, it made the book seem like a real scrapbook type story. I enjoyed reading about the different animals as well as the Maasai. The Maasai are a fascinating people who are having to adapt to a changing world. I appreciated the way the author portrayed this and the challenges of changing ideas that have been around for hundreds even thousands of years. And yet, in the long-term, only local involvement will save the animals. The author does a good job of sharing this message without it being heavy-handed or pushy. A great read for animal-loving readers and those fascinated, as I am, by other cultures.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this safari book. I wish I'd read it before I went to Kruger Park in S. Africa.

At first, I was despising the main character because he was whining he had to go on safari with his aunt and all he wanted to do was play video games and hang out. I was thinking, "What a spoiled brat." I got past that and enjoyed the story. Maybe the author did this to get kids to their way of thinking.

It is laid out in journal format with drawings, notes, comics, souvenirs and photos. I really liked it and this author did a great job at telling a lot of information in an interesting way.

They start out looking at animals in Kenya. Then they head overland to Maasai Mara Reserve driving through Maasai Land. Then you get to find out about the Maasai culture. Then due to a man he met on the first plane from New York, he blocks a rhino from being slaughtered by poachers.

I ended up liking the main character and what he becomes.

[AfricaAdventureConsultants · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's book is formatted as the diary of a 12-year-old. It is educational and filled with adventure. The format is a bit unusual with photographs, illustrations and handwritten 'journal entries'. Carey Monroe has the chance to spend two weeks during summer vacation in Kenya with his aunt. While there he meets and becomes friends with a Maasai man and his son.

Each animal they see while on safari is presented to the reader with facts, photos and their Swahili name. Carey joins the Maasai father and son on their drive from Amboseli to the Maasai Mara that takes the three on an unforgettable safari. During the story, the author also shows how the Maasai are trying to preserve their land and way of life. The journal entry format is very appealing and enjoyable to read. The publisher recommends the book for grades 3-6.

[Janet Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up for several reasons. One, I needed a quick read for the #bookaday challenge and I was bogged down with too many long books. The other is that I am preparing geography lessons for the fall with students preparing for the National Geographic Bee. So this book was perfect for both goals. It is in the scrapbook/diary/graphic novel style that kids love right now. The author is a 12 year old that gets to go on safari in Kenya with his eccentric aunt. He shares many of the concepts that we will be learning in geography; language, native fauna, native customs and family life,maps, and local environmental issues. I am going to use this book as a model for an end project for the students. I think I will set up teams of 3 students and have them work together to research and create a similar travel journal for their chosen region of the world.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great easy read teaching about saving the animals in Africa. There were neat descriptions of the animals and lots of photos. Plus the book talked about the people who lived in Kenya too. They're called the Maasai. The book talked about how the Massai are trying to protect the animals from extinction. They also talk about how important it is for the Massai to keep their cultural heritage and not become westernized.

[Chili Public · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great easy read teaching about saving the animals in Africa. There were neat descriptions of the animals and lots of photos. Plus the book talked about the people who lived in Kenya too. They're called the Maasai. The book talked about how the Massai are trying to protect the animals from extinction. They also talk about how important it is for the Massai to keep their cultural heritage and not become westernized.

[Shelby Deghand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very detailed. I loved how the child spoke in the story because it was how a real child would possibly react to a random trip to Africa! It's a fun book to learn about different animals that live in Africa. I really liked this book!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of information about animals, with a story around the facts, sort of a cross between fiction and non fiction.

[Itzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIKED IT !!!