Saving Thandi

by Kate S. Richards

After losing the use of his legs in a trainsurfing accident, Ice finds himself at a dead end. In despair, he visits his friend Jabu, who invites him on a game reserve trip. The purpose of the journey is to photograph teen surfing prodigy, Alexia, with rhino calves. From the outset, Ice clashes with the precocious Alexia, leading to comedic disaster.

Meanwhile, an insider is leaking information to a dangerous crime syndicate, and poachers are killing rhinos for their horns. Saskia, the game ranger's wife, is doing all she can to rehabilitate the orphaned rhinos and finds Ice to be a rock in times of distress.

Alexia is lured into a dangerous trap on a luxury yacht, off the coast of Mozambique. She needs a hero. Ice, Jabu and friends will need to think fast and agree on who they can trust, and who is working with the enemy.

Can this mismatched group of teens outwit the poachers, with the chaotic help of a ventriloquist raven and a bling-loving monkey? The stakes are high, but friendship and teamwork are a considerable force. Saving Thandi is a conservation adventure first, but it is also a story about a teenage boy who realises his purpose in life.

158 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2019

About the author

Kate S Richards lives with her husband and two adult kids in a house in the rainforest, with a menagerie of cats and dogs. Kate is a school librarian at a primary school in the Waitakere Ranges, working in a cosy red library amidst the kauri trees and the swooping kererus.

Kate loves spending time with the children at school - chatting about books, dressing up as book characters, talking about writing and supporting reading engagement.

Trainsurfer is her debut novel.

Saving Thandi is the sequel to Trainsurfer, in the series "Adventures of Jabu & Friends". Nikau's Escape is the climactic final in the series.

Call Me Madeleine is a near future climate change fiction (Cli-Fi), with intergenerational themes and a Christian romantic subplot.

Maia & the Mermaid Princess is a middle grade fantasy set in both the real world and a fantastical undersea world.

Reviews

[Julia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many reasons to love these books but one of my favorites is that they bring life in South Africa for a young boy to life for us in the States. That is the wonder of books, after all: taking you on a journey to a foreign land and letting you experience, at least in your mind, what it is like. In this book it includes the privilege of being around magnificent animals and understanding the importance of them to their culture and the world. Richards does a terrific job of telling the tale of orphaned rhinos that are in danger from poachers. The book is realistic and graphic enough to make the point, but never goes past the edge for young readers. The stories of friendships go beyond just those between humans to include the bonds we have with animals.

A lovely story with a suspenseful and sometimes scary plot. A great summer read for anyone who loves animals, friendship or is interested in South Africa.

[Trish Hare]

SAVING THANDI
By
Kate S Richards

This is a beautiful book. It takes the reader on a serious adventure into the lives of a young person who discovers a whole new meaning for his life through compassion, courage and learning about African animals, in particular, a rhino.
The reader is drawn into a very different environment and is captivated by the strength of the characters. The educational information is subtly introduced in a way which will enlighten but not overburden. It is full of love with a deeply compassionate serious side. Anyone who knows Africa will be thrilled with this book, but it is so readable that anyone outside of Africa would easily understand the contents and enjoy the story.
Age related: Mature 10+ to 110!
Trish Hare

[Fran Villiers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving Thandi deals with the issue of saving a baby rhinoceros when the mamma was poached for her horn. It really gets the reader to feel for the babies and through the eyes of the teenagers in the book, you don't only learn about the rhinos, but also see the depth of the teenagers feelings, and how they interact with each other. I liked the sub-story of Jabu in his wheelchair and how he had to face the difficulties of being in a wheelchair, but also how the other children reacted to him. A book well worth reading!

[Connie Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A while back I reviewed Trainsurfer by Kate S. Richards. Many months later, Kate sent me her draft of Saving Thandi for first reader review and comments. Now it is available for all to read - and read it you must. Kate has followed her first very serious book with a delightful tale of resurrection, rescue, and redemption. Characters return and new characters appear to continue Jabu’s story. There is action, humor, and a very lovable rhino. What more could there be? Oh, surfing, organized crime, and some really bad dudes.

[Jill Hedgecock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cast of characters brings to light the tragic plight of orphaned rhinos -- the result of their mothers being poached for their horns. While the adorable baby rhinos stole my heart, Ice, a teen boy who lost the use of his legs in a tragic accident, provides a compelling backdrop. His story is one of redemption and human kindness from those around him. First, a woman he meets in the hospital gives him a job at a flower shop and when the business closes, his friend Jabu takes him to a rhino sanctuary. It is here that he is truly transformed. Other characters also find a new depth of character in this special place. Ayanda, a woman who is reminiscent of Effie Trinket in Hunger Games, discovers true grit when Makhulu Thief, a monkey, steals her camera. Alexia, a celebrity surfer who is full of herself, discovers empathy through a harrowing kidnapping experience by rhino poachers and her friendship with Ice.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it that we meet Thandi again after a brief appearance in Trainsurfer. Jabu is able to visit Thandi in his protected environment and meet other rhino orphans. No spoilers but he takes a wheelchair bound friend with him who needs saving a bit himself. Personally I like the conservation angle of this book but would love to see a return to the surf for further Jabu adventures in order to retain the interest of my target reluctant readers.

[Toni Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book that highlights friendship and courage within a group of teenagers. It's insightful information on the black market operation of Rhino poaching and the sale of their horns is smoothly woven into the story so readers are educated without even realising it. I highly recommend this book to young and old alike.

[Libby Vosper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was good to reconnect with the characters from Trainsurfer and see how they have matured. I enjoy childrens' books as my grandchildren are all avid readers and I try to see the story from their point of view. It raises awareness about the plight of rhinos in an easy to read way and adds adventure, kidnapping and various other scenarios to keep the reader entertained until the end. I look forward to their next adventure.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book I enjoyed reading it in my class I liked the fact that they were trying to help save the endangered Rhinos I think that they could of specified what type of Rhinos there were in the book

[Billie]

Me and my class read this book, and we thought it was amazing! I think it teaches a good life lesson and also it includes good descriptive language. I think all the characters are amazingly described and fits well in the story.
I highly recommend this book to other readers.

-Billie

[Hannah]

I loved how there was a lot going on through the whole book and I really like the characters.
(Character Ice) showed me that even if it feels like life is giving up on you that there is always a way out and just keep being happy.
-From Hannah- EBIS intermediate

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I like how this is based on a real event and I like the characters. The author did a very good job writing the book. The story line is amazing.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because it had a good moral, amount of action and amount of friend making and betrayal. So all in all it was a pretty good book.

[Alyssa]

I think that this is a really great book because it teaches people a life lesson and describes the characters to fit the story.

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this middle school adventure and could not wait to see where Jabu would lead us next. A nice surprise was the return of the character Ice, who added a lot more depth to the attitude of the other characters. This is a series that I have now recommended several times to anyone over the age of 11. The insight into the animal rescue preserves and surfing are impeccably done. The issue of poaching is handled in a realistic yet age-appropriate manner for even the younger readers.

This is the perfect read for anyone looking for a great adventure series for themselves or their kids.

[Miss Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly set in the Umfolozi Private Reserve, Jabu reconnects not only with Thandi but also Ice. It's a story of discovery as Jabu realises the dire threat of extinction facing the rhino due to poachers, Billie faces her fear, Ice finds a renewed sense of purpose, Ayanda ultimately acclimatises, Saskia learns to accept help from others, and Alexia becomes humble due to circumstances. It's a good versus evil plot interspersed with animal antics from dogs Queenie and Duke, an African Grey parrot, and Makhulu Thief, the monkey.

[Gill Botha]

Awesome read would definately suggest you read it

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Really intriguing :)