Elephant Summer

by Douglas Jackson Channell

Only three weeks had passed since I had arrived in Africa with my two best friends, Jackie Cooper and Smiley O'Dell. We had left our small town of GeorgeAnn, Texas, to spend the summer with my Uncle Keeno in the jungles of Kenya. As an archeologist, it was his job to explore the region for clues of pre-historic man. For Jackie, Smiley, and me, it was just supposed to be a lot of fun. Now we were running, our legs pumping up and down like pistons, and my heart was beating against the wall of my chest like cannon-fire. It seemed as if we were running for our very lives! With others from the camp, we hung to the trail as it wound along the riverbank and over grassy knolls on the outskirts of the village. Jackie was about the fastest girl in our class and Smiley had always been able to run like a deer. I knew they were holding back, waiting on the rest of us who were struggling to keep up. I was gasping for air, trying to concentrate on my legs, to keep them moving. I didn't want to think about what might happen if I slipped and fell. My tennis shoes were almost brand new and I could feel the strong rubber soles grabbing into the soft earth with each step. Just ahead, in the moonlight, I could see Jackie's long, blonde ponytail dancing back and forth on her shoulders. Directly behind, Smiley poked me in the back with his finger, urging me to run faster.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2009

Reviews

[Bill Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good insight into the lives of elephants, but the human characters were lacking. I appreciate the effort to write about elephant conservation efforts.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book on Amazon and was drawn by the title. I love elephants and, in looking at the description of this book, had to read it. I was not disappointed.

The story opens with everyone running from a rogue elephant, so my attention was captured from the very beginning.

During their summer vacation, three young teenage friends – two boys, one girl – visit the archeologist uncle of the boy telling the story. His uncle is living and working in Kenya, Africa. The three teens become involved in learning about a family of elephants and help with gaining new information about them.

Elephants are amazing, intelligent animals, individual in personality and habits. This story brings to the reader’s attention how wonderful these animals are, and how serious is their plight as they are still being destroyed needlessly and cruelly. It is told through the concern and humour of the young friends who have the privilege of learning first-hand about them. There is adventure, danger, teenage antics, humour, and more, set in the jungle camp and surrounding area. It’s a fun book to read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well, except for the harsh reality of some scenes which were a little hard to read knowing it does actually happen, but it was handled in such a good way to be suitable for young readers as well. From the title and summary that influenced me to obtain this book, right to the last word in the last chapter, my interest was held. It made me want to be there.

If you like elephants, or enjoy stories about adventures in the wild – in this case, Africa – give this book a try.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing adventure! I felt like I was really and truly there! I learned so much about the elephants in their natural habitat and elephants in general. I adore elephants and it was like I was there learning about them and getting to know each elephant as a friend.

The bitter truth of life seeps in at the end. I know that the author was trying to teach us as well as tell an amazing story, but for me leaving that part out would have been nice. Their farewell was heart breaking.

[Linda Shook]

I loved, loved, loved this book. It took me to Africa to interact with elephants and I didn't have to fly or get any shots. A wonderful book for adults & teens alike. If you like elephants~you will love this book.

[Alison]

kindle 338 (africa)