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Elephant Secret
Featuring the evergreen appeal of human-animal friendships and set in an elephant sanctuary, We Bought a Zoo meets Jurassic Park in a gripping story about a thirteen-year-old girl, a cast of elephants, and a surprising new arrival—a woolly mammoth.
Sam was born and raised in an elephant sanctuary. When a beloved elephant dies giving birth, Sam develops a connection with baby Woolly—who isn’t actually an elephant but was cloned from woolly mammoth DNA. And the billionaire genius behind the cloning experiment will stop at nothing to protect his investment. Smart, determined, and loving, Sam stands up to this powerful adversary to protect the sanctuary and her herd. In the best tradition of child-animal friendship stories, Elephant Secret explores the strong and complex bond between Sam and her elephants while offering a fascinating, authentic glimpse into elephant—and human—behavior.
Sam was born and raised in an elephant sanctuary. When a beloved elephant dies giving birth, Sam develops a connection with baby Woolly—who isn’t actually an elephant but was cloned from woolly mammoth DNA. And the billionaire genius behind the cloning experiment will stop at nothing to protect his investment. Smart, determined, and loving, Sam stands up to this powerful adversary to protect the sanctuary and her herd. In the best tradition of child-animal friendship stories, Elephant Secret explores the strong and complex bond between Sam and her elephants while offering a fascinating, authentic glimpse into elephant—and human—behavior.
352 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2019
72 people are currently reading
1073 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
161 books915 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
October 31, 2019
I wish I had this book four years ago when my Grade 3 students were researching elephants for a class writing project. It would have made a great read-aloud, especially in regards to the descriptive details about the elephants in the story; however, as a person living/working on a farm, one little detail that niggled at me is that hay is NOT synonymous with straw (see page 218).
Unfortunately, I did not warm to the main character, Sam. She came off as a know-it-all, leaving the impression that without her, the sanctuary would have fallen apart. She was too "snarky" to the adults in the story and should have reined in her thoughts more often before speaking. Also, I found it curious that a thirteen-year old girl would not want to talk/learn more about her deceased mother.
Overall, this story was charming and entertaining. The elephants were the real stars in this book. Their behaviour was often amusing, and at times, heartbreaking as to bring tears to my eyes. I highly recommend this book as a read-aloud for 7 to 12-year old children.
Unfortunately, I did not warm to the main character, Sam. She came off as a know-it-all, leaving the impression that without her, the sanctuary would have fallen apart. She was too "snarky" to the adults in the story and should have reined in her thoughts more often before speaking. Also, I found it curious that a thirteen-year old girl would not want to talk/learn more about her deceased mother.
Overall, this story was charming and entertaining. The elephants were the real stars in this book. Their behaviour was often amusing, and at times, heartbreaking as to bring tears to my eyes. I highly recommend this book as a read-aloud for 7 to 12-year old children.
November 9, 2018
Eric Walters
This is the 100th book that Walters has published. It shows. What an accomplished writer.
This story pulled at my heart strings. The characters are interesting, varied and fully rounded. A girl and her father run an elephant sanctuary, somewhere in the United States.
You meet the elephant herd. You get to know the elephant herd. The individual elephants start to feel like family. They are a family and look after each other very well.
A rogue elephant arrives and is sequestered in a walled off area. This elephant has been mistreated for years, and you applaud the efforts to rehabilitate him. And this still isn’t the main story. A new baby is born to the herd. Different. Hairy. Woolly’s arrival cranks up the adventure, danger, and is a wonderful mystery in it’s own right.
Read this book. You won’t be sorry.
March 11, 2019
Very advanced language and mature themes for a tween book, including a somewhat graphic scene of an elephant C-section.
Having said that, it is packed with facts about elephants that I think kids would enjoy. A loveable lead female and a herd of elephants made this story fun to follow.
Having said that, it is packed with facts about elephants that I think kids would enjoy. A loveable lead female and a herd of elephants made this story fun to follow.
May 18, 2021
Gosh I'm glad I didn't read the Goodreads summary of this book first, that gives away too much!! The description inside the dust jacket was a perfect introduction to the elephant sanctuary that made me pick it up.
This is another book from the school Library where I work. There are a number of different discussion topics that an come out of this book for Grades four to six, each at different levels of understanding of the story. Every now and then I'd come across an element that could be a class discussion. How does Sam deal with her Dad's new girlfriend? What kind of role does school play in her life? How do you deal with a strange, new elephant with an abused past? There are science and ethical questions as well, but I'll stop because I don't want to give anything away. There is also a business side of the sanctuary, and money always sours things, doesn't it? Especially when you need a lot of it to manage a herd of elephants.
Eric Walters not only did his homework, which we see by the Bibliography at the end (Yay! Love seeing that in a YA book!), but he also explains in the author's note that he'd personally spent time with elephants, and specifically names a young elephant named Hannah who played with him. He learned more first-hand about how elephants socialize and interact with humans, than from what can be read in source material and science articles. You can tell by the way so many of the scenes are written.
This is a very endearing story that surprised me half way through, made me a little emotional in one spot, and I learned a lot without feeling like I was being "schooled" through info dumps. It might be a bit slow in the first half, or feel long to a younger reader, but I would encourage students to stick with it to the end. As an adult, I really enjoyed this trip to an elephant sanctuary, and who knows, maybe I'll get to see a place like that myself some day.
This is another book from the school Library where I work. There are a number of different discussion topics that an come out of this book for Grades four to six, each at different levels of understanding of the story. Every now and then I'd come across an element that could be a class discussion. How does Sam deal with her Dad's new girlfriend? What kind of role does school play in her life? How do you deal with a strange, new elephant with an abused past? There are science and ethical questions as well, but I'll stop because I don't want to give anything away. There is also a business side of the sanctuary, and money always sours things, doesn't it? Especially when you need a lot of it to manage a herd of elephants.
Eric Walters not only did his homework, which we see by the Bibliography at the end (Yay! Love seeing that in a YA book!), but he also explains in the author's note that he'd personally spent time with elephants, and specifically names a young elephant named Hannah who played with him. He learned more first-hand about how elephants socialize and interact with humans, than from what can be read in source material and science articles. You can tell by the way so many of the scenes are written.
This is a very endearing story that surprised me half way through, made me a little emotional in one spot, and I learned a lot without feeling like I was being "schooled" through info dumps. It might be a bit slow in the first half, or feel long to a younger reader, but I would encourage students to stick with it to the end. As an adult, I really enjoyed this trip to an elephant sanctuary, and who knows, maybe I'll get to see a place like that myself some day.
June 10, 2019
In this tenderly told story of Sam and her elephants the author creates a world that I wanted to inhabit in Sam's father's sanctuary. The human interactions were also well thought out and each character grew throughout the story.
My one quibble with the book is that it describes the process of impregnating the elephants as artificial insemination which is inaccurate terminology as it is actually in vitro fertilisation. For a book purporting to be scientific (see afterward) this was a strange error to make.
Popsugar challenge 2019:
My one quibble with the book is that it describes the process of impregnating the elephants as artificial insemination which is inaccurate terminology as it is actually in vitro fertilisation. For a book purporting to be scientific (see afterward) this was a strange error to make.
Popsugar challenge 2019:
October 15, 2020
This book was a topic about animas which I really like. Not only there were cute scenes, there were facts about elephants and Really emotional scenes. Though it was really interesting to read, At the end It was a little easy to predict the ending and the events. But I really recommend this to who likes elephants/ animals.
April 14, 2019
Whoa! This one took me by surprise! Really enjoyed learning more about elephants, but also enjoyed the science fiction part of this middle grade.
April 10, 2020
This book was so good I could barely put it down.
The main character Samantha (or Sam) was lovely. I loved her interactions with the elephants and how she really was a part of the herd, but how she was still careful. She used her observation and knowledge from growing up in and around the herd to help her make decisions in how to act with them and with Burma the abused Male Elephant that comes to the elephant sanctuary. She even grew as a character over the course of the story, and I like the interactions and relationship she has with both her father and Joyce.
The plot was amazing, and without giving it away, the main "plot twist" was a little bit obvious in a way. That being said, the way the plot played out was great. I felt that the ending was very fitting and while it wraps up the story, there are still parts of the future of the story that are left to the reader to imagine.
I loved all the details that were given about elephants and both the afterword at the end and the bibliography showed the author researched and thought out the story wanting it to be as realistic as possible, something I feel the afterword confirms is the case.
This is definitely a book I would recommend. In fact, I recommended it to a friend before I even finished reading it. Amazing well-written book.
The main character Samantha (or Sam) was lovely. I loved her interactions with the elephants and how she really was a part of the herd, but how she was still careful. She used her observation and knowledge from growing up in and around the herd to help her make decisions in how to act with them and with Burma the abused Male Elephant that comes to the elephant sanctuary. She even grew as a character over the course of the story, and I like the interactions and relationship she has with both her father and Joyce.
The plot was amazing, and without giving it away, the main "plot twist" was a little bit obvious in a way. That being said, the way the plot played out was great. I felt that the ending was very fitting and while it wraps up the story, there are still parts of the future of the story that are left to the reader to imagine.
I loved all the details that were given about elephants and both the afterword at the end and the bibliography showed the author researched and thought out the story wanting it to be as realistic as possible, something I feel the afterword confirms is the case.
This is definitely a book I would recommend. In fact, I recommended it to a friend before I even finished reading it. Amazing well-written book.
August 27, 2021
I love elephants and will read anything and everything about them. As I sit here writing this in my library, (my master bedroom that's not a bedroom and contains wall to wall bookcases, a reading chair, and a lamp), I can look across to the only wall space that doesn't have a bookcase on it and see a 3' x 4' framed photo of a beautiful and majestic African elephant. It's my happy place, full of favorite books and a elephant photo that brings me immense joy. So, any book that has a story about elephants that's also about an elephant sanctuary is something near and dear to my heart. One of my dreams/life goals? is having the money to purchase a huge piece of property with grassland and trees and a few ponds that I could turn into an elephant sanctuary. I would also love to have a dog rescue. Maybe both of them together. Rescue elephants from circuses and roadside attractions and dogs from kill shelters. Who knows? Maybe I'll win the lottery. Anyway, loved this story, loved the characters, and the elephants, one of whom was not exactly an elephant. Made me want to live right there inside that story.
January 14, 2019
I ran across this book on a blog and thought it sounded interesting but could not get it at my local bookshop or in my library system! I ordered a copy from the state library system and am still shaking my head at why this book has not been more visible. Anyone reading this book will want to know more and read more about elephants. The story is compelling and the author's note at the end lends a surprise to the validity of the story. The bibliography for this book is extensive and shows the detailed research completed to make this book accurate. I will be thinking about this one for a long time and I've already started reading more about elephants!
July 27, 2018
Wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this one, but I did. I’m an elephant fan now. Great story and lots of wonderful information about these amazing animals. Kids that love animals will enjoy this story!
June 27, 2019
Really great middle year’s read by accomplished Canadian children’s author Eric Walters. I loved everything that had to do with description of behaviour and information about the elephants. The publisher’s summary here on Goodreads is a huge spoiler - can’t believe they did that! The only reason this book didn’t get a 5 from me was because the ending seemed rushed and left a few unanswered questions (what happened to Burma?). Kids 9+ will adore this book.
September 3, 2018
I adored everything about this book. My students will love it too!!
January 6, 2020
When I got to the end I still wanted more!
January 19, 2022
super good very good ending thx again mads for the recommendation
July 17, 2025
Read it with the kids. It had a good couple of twists in the story that had them asking me to read more (even if it was getting late).
November 3, 2018
This is a lovely book. The interplay between humans and animals and the idea of a herd as family is beautifully explored. A great start to the Silver Birch nominated reads!
March 2, 2021
This book I absolutely astonishing! I was so shocked at a big plot turn in the story. I finished this so fast and I wish there was another book. If the author I reading this...can you make a sequel? Also this book made me an elephant lover.
February 28, 2019
Good book. Not sure which book I will vote for in Silver Birch. They’re all fabulous so far!!
September 19, 2025
The story began clumsily, with awkward attempts to weave in information dumps. Then, too, the dialogue was clearly intended to be humorous but fell far short of witty repartee. Still, the novel was a sweet story about a young teen girl caring for elephants. I’m sure it would appeal to children interested in elephants and their care and conservation. Perhaps it would appeal to a broader audience also, especially animal lovers and those concerned with wildlife conservation.
August 6, 2022
The end was a little rushed, but this book was otherwise delightful
*content warning for an animal death*
*content warning for an animal death*
September 6, 2018
Thirteen year old Samantha has grown up on an elephant sanctuary, it’s a life she loves, though it’s put to the test with the addition of two newcomers to the herd, one troubled, and one decidedly different.
Samantha’s a likable young heroine, she has her moments where she’s a little too sarcastic much like any thirteen year old, she’s also admirably loving and protective towards her elephant family with ambitions of becoming a veterinarian. Initially, I was concerned that Sam’s relationship with her dad’s girlfriend would be some stereotypical wicked stepmother type of deal, but I thoroughly enjoyed how quickly it evolved into something else, it ended up being one of my favorite relationships in the book.
While it makes sense that Sam knows a vast amount of elephant facts, at times it felt like those facts were delivered in a slightly clunky way, the story was always best whenever it just went ahead and showed you the elephant behavior, rather than paragraphs of research, though it certainly is interesting information either way.
I adored Woolly, and as much as I could see that pre-historic twist on the story appealing to the many kids into that, for me, it kind of felt unnecessary, eccentric billionaire Jimmy often felt like an intruder on the down to earth story I preferred. The touching and so well-written interactions between Sam and these big, vulnerable animals and the loss she has in common with two of them, and failing to balance doing kid things like going to a dance while embracing the huge responsibility of these elephants, having an emotional conversation with her dad about a topic they’ve avoided, I loved these aspects of the book and just found myself not wanting them interrupted by a helicopter or anything else with a more over-the-top feel. It’s not that I hated the prehistoric twist, I still very much enjoyed this book, I just didn’t feel like like the story actually needed any sci-fi/sci-fact to jazz up what was already compelling and full of heart.
I received this book through a giveaway.
Samantha’s a likable young heroine, she has her moments where she’s a little too sarcastic much like any thirteen year old, she’s also admirably loving and protective towards her elephant family with ambitions of becoming a veterinarian. Initially, I was concerned that Sam’s relationship with her dad’s girlfriend would be some stereotypical wicked stepmother type of deal, but I thoroughly enjoyed how quickly it evolved into something else, it ended up being one of my favorite relationships in the book.
While it makes sense that Sam knows a vast amount of elephant facts, at times it felt like those facts were delivered in a slightly clunky way, the story was always best whenever it just went ahead and showed you the elephant behavior, rather than paragraphs of research, though it certainly is interesting information either way.
I adored Woolly, and as much as I could see that pre-historic twist on the story appealing to the many kids into that, for me, it kind of felt unnecessary, eccentric billionaire Jimmy often felt like an intruder on the down to earth story I preferred. The touching and so well-written interactions between Sam and these big, vulnerable animals and the loss she has in common with two of them, and failing to balance doing kid things like going to a dance while embracing the huge responsibility of these elephants, having an emotional conversation with her dad about a topic they’ve avoided, I loved these aspects of the book and just found myself not wanting them interrupted by a helicopter or anything else with a more over-the-top feel. It’s not that I hated the prehistoric twist, I still very much enjoyed this book, I just didn’t feel like like the story actually needed any sci-fi/sci-fact to jazz up what was already compelling and full of heart.
I received this book through a giveaway.
February 2, 2019
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!
I definitely recommend this book to all ages!I was amazing because of the reality and the amazing elephants (of course)!I loved wooly so much because of how sweet she was toward sam.
I definitely think if you are reading this review then you should turn off your computer and go find the book and look at the cover !! I just think all the elephants are sooooooooo cute I hope that you enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed it!!
I definitely recommend this book to all ages!I was amazing because of the reality and the amazing elephants (of course)!I loved wooly so much because of how sweet she was toward sam.
I definitely think if you are reading this review then you should turn off your computer and go find the book and look at the cover !! I just think all the elephants are sooooooooo cute I hope that you enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed it!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2017
I absolutely loved this. I love a good middle grade novel and this is exactly that. I didn't think I cared much for elephants, but the author got to my animal lover's heart! The cover is so sweet too!
My cousin is a bookworm and I can't wait to send her this one.
*Disclosure: I work for HMH, but I do not review HMH titles unless I feel extremely strongly about them as a reader. They have to be something special if I'm going to review them. This is one of those very special ones.
My cousin is a bookworm and I can't wait to send her this one.
*Disclosure: I work for HMH, but I do not review HMH titles unless I feel extremely strongly about them as a reader. They have to be something special if I'm going to review them. This is one of those very special ones.
December 28, 2020
Favorite book of ALL time!!!!
I love elephants (they're my favorite animals) and I love the way this book embraces these fascinating animals. The connection between the main character and the elephants is just beautiful, and there are several facts about elephants packed into the book. And the plot... like, the plot is pretty slow and I get that you could get bored but the characters are worth it.
Seriously recommended to everyone in the world.
I love elephants (they're my favorite animals) and I love the way this book embraces these fascinating animals. The connection between the main character and the elephants is just beautiful, and there are several facts about elephants packed into the book. And the plot... like, the plot is pretty slow and I get that you could get bored but the characters are worth it.
Seriously recommended to everyone in the world.
June 28, 2018
Eric Walters’s ELEPHANT SECRET is a gripping family story with an environmental spin. Thirteen-year-old Samantha Gray has lived her entire life on an elephant sanctuary owned by her father. Her mother died when she was born, so her only family has been her father and the elephants – an amazing herd of creatures who are more caring, loving, courageous, and loyal than most humans. When one of the elephants – a gentle soul named Daisy Mae – gives birth to a very unusual baby, Samantha’s world is turned upside down. Suddenly, an eccentric billionaire enters the picture, with designs on the baby. And Samantha’s life with her beloved elephants might never be the same.
The novel is being compared to Michael Crichton’s JURASSIC PARK, and there are similarities. Cloning plays a part in this novel, as well as long-extinct animals. And Walters’s eccentric billionaire is a bit like Crichton’s John Hammond, the power behind the resurrection of the dinosaurs (both seem like the proverbial kid-in-a-candy-store when it comes to reanimating extinct animals, and with both there’s a subtle suggestion of something shadier beneath the surface).
That said, ELEPHANT SECRET isn’t really about cloning or resurrecting extinct creatures. It’s really about family – about Samantha and her father and the elephants they have both come to love as essential parts of their lives. There’s a lot here about how elephants are mistreated in today’s world, and how hard it is for them to recover from abuse and neglect. The elephants living on the Grays’ sanctuary have never lived in the wild; they were born and raised in zoos or circuses or carnivals where they were trained to do tricks. Once on the sanctuary, they formed bonds with each other and with Samantha and her father, bonds that link them all as family. Samantha understands these elephants. She can read their emotions, and she can communicate with some of them in ways that seem unbelievable.
When the very unusual baby is born, Samantha becomes her mother, feeding her countless bottles of formula, helping to keep her safe during storms, and protecting her from potential dangers. Their bond is strong, even stronger than Samantha’s bond with the rest of the herd. But Samantha does come to realize that she can have human friends, even her father’s girlfriend (a lawyer Samantha at first can’t accept). In some ways, the elephants themselves pave the way for Samantha to grow closer to her father and her friends. These really are amazing animals who share many human qualities, including the need to grieve over lost loved ones.
I really loved reading this book. Obviously, I’m not Walters’s target audience, but I can easily see how my own sons would have loved this book when they were in middle school. Samantha is a great character, and the elephants are wonderful creatures, each with his or her own personality (I loved mischievous “teenager” Raja who spars with Samantha in the pond and regal matriarch Trixie who rules the herd with grace and compassion). This isn’t an action-packed adventure story, but it is a beautifully written tale about love, family, and our responsibility to all living things on our planet.
[Please note: I was provided an Advance Reading Copy of this novel; the opinions expressed here are my own.]
The novel is being compared to Michael Crichton’s JURASSIC PARK, and there are similarities. Cloning plays a part in this novel, as well as long-extinct animals. And Walters’s eccentric billionaire is a bit like Crichton’s John Hammond, the power behind the resurrection of the dinosaurs (both seem like the proverbial kid-in-a-candy-store when it comes to reanimating extinct animals, and with both there’s a subtle suggestion of something shadier beneath the surface).
That said, ELEPHANT SECRET isn’t really about cloning or resurrecting extinct creatures. It’s really about family – about Samantha and her father and the elephants they have both come to love as essential parts of their lives. There’s a lot here about how elephants are mistreated in today’s world, and how hard it is for them to recover from abuse and neglect. The elephants living on the Grays’ sanctuary have never lived in the wild; they were born and raised in zoos or circuses or carnivals where they were trained to do tricks. Once on the sanctuary, they formed bonds with each other and with Samantha and her father, bonds that link them all as family. Samantha understands these elephants. She can read their emotions, and she can communicate with some of them in ways that seem unbelievable.
When the very unusual baby is born, Samantha becomes her mother, feeding her countless bottles of formula, helping to keep her safe during storms, and protecting her from potential dangers. Their bond is strong, even stronger than Samantha’s bond with the rest of the herd. But Samantha does come to realize that she can have human friends, even her father’s girlfriend (a lawyer Samantha at first can’t accept). In some ways, the elephants themselves pave the way for Samantha to grow closer to her father and her friends. These really are amazing animals who share many human qualities, including the need to grieve over lost loved ones.
I really loved reading this book. Obviously, I’m not Walters’s target audience, but I can easily see how my own sons would have loved this book when they were in middle school. Samantha is a great character, and the elephants are wonderful creatures, each with his or her own personality (I loved mischievous “teenager” Raja who spars with Samantha in the pond and regal matriarch Trixie who rules the herd with grace and compassion). This isn’t an action-packed adventure story, but it is a beautifully written tale about love, family, and our responsibility to all living things on our planet.
[Please note: I was provided an Advance Reading Copy of this novel; the opinions expressed here are my own.]
August 10, 2018
@kidlitexchange #partner
Thank you @kidlitexchange for the free review copy of Elephant Secret in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. This title releases on August 28, 2018.
Samantha and her father run an elephant sanctuary. Ever since she was born, the herd has been her family. Samantha’s mom passed away right after her birth. A lot of new things are happening at the sanctuary. A new elephant, Burma, as come to the sanctuary. He has been abused and is considered dangerous, and must be isolated from the other elephants. One of the elephants, Daisy Mae is getting ready to give birth. Samantha is finishing up 8th grade and is also getting used to the fact that her dad is dating Joyce, a lawyer and volunteer at the sanctuary.
Once the baby, Woolly, is born, and the mystery sanctuary partner and financial backer is revealed, we also learn a big secret about the baby elephant. This secret will lead to dramatic changes at the elephant sanctuary. Will Samantha and her father be able to stay at the sanctuary, keep its integrity, and care for the elephants?
I loved this story. It was evident that the author, Eric Walters, did a great deal of research on elephants and I enjoyed learning so much about them. It was wonderful to see the relationship between the elephants in the herd, and between the elephants and humans (especially Samantha). I really like how Samantha’s feelings and attitude change toward Joyce, her dad’s girlfriend. I also love the relationship between Sam and her dad, and we see how her dad learns that he needs to be more in tune to her feelings. It was very emotional when he finally talked to her about her mother. The events of the story really cause Samantha to be mature at a very young age, and I was amazed at how much she did to help her dad run the sanctuary and care for the elephants. The only thing I wished was to find out more about what happened to Burma, the elephant in isolation.
This is a wonderful novel for middle grade students. I think children will love learning about the elephants, while also reading about the strength and bravery of Samantha. I highly recommend it!
Thank you @kidlitexchange for the free review copy of Elephant Secret in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. This title releases on August 28, 2018.
Samantha and her father run an elephant sanctuary. Ever since she was born, the herd has been her family. Samantha’s mom passed away right after her birth. A lot of new things are happening at the sanctuary. A new elephant, Burma, as come to the sanctuary. He has been abused and is considered dangerous, and must be isolated from the other elephants. One of the elephants, Daisy Mae is getting ready to give birth. Samantha is finishing up 8th grade and is also getting used to the fact that her dad is dating Joyce, a lawyer and volunteer at the sanctuary.
Once the baby, Woolly, is born, and the mystery sanctuary partner and financial backer is revealed, we also learn a big secret about the baby elephant. This secret will lead to dramatic changes at the elephant sanctuary. Will Samantha and her father be able to stay at the sanctuary, keep its integrity, and care for the elephants?
I loved this story. It was evident that the author, Eric Walters, did a great deal of research on elephants and I enjoyed learning so much about them. It was wonderful to see the relationship between the elephants in the herd, and between the elephants and humans (especially Samantha). I really like how Samantha’s feelings and attitude change toward Joyce, her dad’s girlfriend. I also love the relationship between Sam and her dad, and we see how her dad learns that he needs to be more in tune to her feelings. It was very emotional when he finally talked to her about her mother. The events of the story really cause Samantha to be mature at a very young age, and I was amazed at how much she did to help her dad run the sanctuary and care for the elephants. The only thing I wished was to find out more about what happened to Burma, the elephant in isolation.
This is a wonderful novel for middle grade students. I think children will love learning about the elephants, while also reading about the strength and bravery of Samantha. I highly recommend it!
August 16, 2019
I gave this book a four star rating not because it was bad, just because it wasn’t my genre. I’ve never really been the type for adventure.
Samantha Gray and her father live in a sanctuary with a herd of elephants. Samantha’s mother died at a young age and her father is dating a lawyer named Joyce, that Samantha doesn’t necessarily love, but has a better relationship with over time. One day, one of their elephants gives birth to a peculiar looking baby, one they’ve never quite seen like before.
They have been partners with a man for a long time, but only meet him for the first time in the book. Sadly, when the newborn elephant (Woolly) loses her mother, she is way more work than expected. But soon their partner reveals that Woolly is a clone of a Woolly Mammoth that was kept preserved for around four thousand years. Their partner, Jimmy, owner of a company named JM Limited started a project to clone and start a new herd of mammoths.
Due to the amazingness of their project, it must stay arcane. But since Jimmy has around eighteen million dollars, and is famous, this will be a hard secret to keep.
The rest is about how they raise Woolly, and a new troublesome elephant that was imported to their sanctuary. But in the end, they find themselves winded up in a situation Samantha and her father didn’t prepare for, they are forced to sell the sanctuary and the elephants to Jimmy, and to go live in a town nearby.
Near the end of the book, they win back the sanctuary and the elephants.
It was a wonderful book, but not what I really am looking for in a book.
Samantha Gray and her father live in a sanctuary with a herd of elephants. Samantha’s mother died at a young age and her father is dating a lawyer named Joyce, that Samantha doesn’t necessarily love, but has a better relationship with over time. One day, one of their elephants gives birth to a peculiar looking baby, one they’ve never quite seen like before.
They have been partners with a man for a long time, but only meet him for the first time in the book. Sadly, when the newborn elephant (Woolly) loses her mother, she is way more work than expected. But soon their partner reveals that Woolly is a clone of a Woolly Mammoth that was kept preserved for around four thousand years. Their partner, Jimmy, owner of a company named JM Limited started a project to clone and start a new herd of mammoths.
Due to the amazingness of their project, it must stay arcane. But since Jimmy has around eighteen million dollars, and is famous, this will be a hard secret to keep.
The rest is about how they raise Woolly, and a new troublesome elephant that was imported to their sanctuary. But in the end, they find themselves winded up in a situation Samantha and her father didn’t prepare for, they are forced to sell the sanctuary and the elephants to Jimmy, and to go live in a town nearby.
Near the end of the book, they win back the sanctuary and the elephants.
It was a wonderful book, but not what I really am looking for in a book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2018
Calling all elephant lovers, animal lovers, science and sci-fi lovers, lovers of compelling characters and first-person narratives! You are in for a treat. This was my favorite book of the year so far.
Since I’ve loved elephants my whole life, I may be a little biased. But this book will hep everyone who reads it grow to appreciate these gentle giants, pleasant pachyderms, these tusked towers.
Sam lives with her single dad (a rare but welcome scenario in literature) on their elephant sanctuary. The kids in her 8th grade class call her “Elephant Girl” and although it hurts a little, she is proud of it. Elephants are easier to deal with than people anyway. Her dad agrees and they make a great team. Until a mysterious investor pays them a lot of money to impregnate one of their elephants. Who is their benefactor and what does he want with the elephants? This is the big secret that Sam and her father must uncover in Elephant Secret.
It’s no secret that Eric Walters invested a lot of time and effort into communicating the truth about elephant behavior. He spent time interacting with a herd of Asian elephants in order to capture their love, intelligence, and majesty. Thank you Mr. Walters for writing such a thorough narrative and tribute to these magnificent creatures.
Since I’ve loved elephants my whole life, I may be a little biased. But this book will hep everyone who reads it grow to appreciate these gentle giants, pleasant pachyderms, these tusked towers.
Sam lives with her single dad (a rare but welcome scenario in literature) on their elephant sanctuary. The kids in her 8th grade class call her “Elephant Girl” and although it hurts a little, she is proud of it. Elephants are easier to deal with than people anyway. Her dad agrees and they make a great team. Until a mysterious investor pays them a lot of money to impregnate one of their elephants. Who is their benefactor and what does he want with the elephants? This is the big secret that Sam and her father must uncover in Elephant Secret.
It’s no secret that Eric Walters invested a lot of time and effort into communicating the truth about elephant behavior. He spent time interacting with a herd of Asian elephants in order to capture their love, intelligence, and majesty. Thank you Mr. Walters for writing such a thorough narrative and tribute to these magnificent creatures.
February 7, 2018
Family comes in all sizes and shapes and for 13 year old Samantha Gray, that family consists of her father and all of the elephants that she helps care for on their private elephant sanctuary. Even though her classmates sometimes refer to her as “elephant girl”, the money is tight and the work is hard, Sam wouldn’t trade the life that she and her dad have for anything. To help cover the cost of caring for the animals, Sam’s father agrees to take on a mysterious billionaire investor who has big plans for the sanctuary. His idea is to clone and bring back the wooly mammoths. What follows is a touching story of the bonds that form between these incredible animals and the humans that love them. Samantha is a plucky, smart and determined young lady who, with her father, risks everything to defend their family of elephants and their way of life from being exploited and taken away. The book features a strong and likeable cast of supporting characters but the real stars are the elephants, themselves. Readers will walk away from this appealing feel-good story with a greater appreciation for these majestic creatures and
a better insight of just how human elephants can be.
a better insight of just how human elephants can be.
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