A Circle of Elephants

December 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-This companion novel to What Elephants Know takes place in the Borderlands of 1970s Nepal. In the new Royal Elephant Breeding Center, 13-year-old Nandu lives with his adoptive father. Nandu and Hira Prasad, the center's powerful bull elephant, forge a bond when they experience an earthquake together. This moment sparks an emotional journey for Nandu as he comes to grips with the reality of the time and place: animal poaching. Nandu, the narrator, is able to relate to the characters in the story on a deep level, having experienced loss among his people and the animals that surround him. Powerful messages resonate throughout the novel, including kindness, empathy, and harmony among individuals practicing different faiths. These messages authentically come through in the actions and deeds of the main characters' and their responses to some of the difficult events of the novel. The author deftly weaves his scientific knowledge with gentle prose to create a heartfelt tale. A glossary of important terms is a helpful reference for readers. VERDICT Highly recommended and a must-buy where there are fans of What Elephants Know.-Selene Athas, Director of Libraries, Roland Park Country School

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2018
Young Nandu, found in the jungle as a toddler and adopted by Subba-sahib, head of the king of Nepal's elephant stable, is back, now 13 and an accomplished elephant driver in this sequel to What Elephants Know (2016).It is a year of drought, but Nandu's worries include more than just the lack of water that affects the stable's elephants. There is danger from earthquakes (the story opens with one), wild animals, and humans--both poachers and the corrupt government officials who protect them. Nandu's strong bond with his elephant brother, Hira Prashad, fuels his determination to keep all animals safe and treat them respectfully. There is assistance from old friends--Subba-sahib, the holy Baba, white missionary Father Autry, and young Rita, who cares for the orphaned rhino babies and elephant calves--and new ones: three young Jumli girls and a Raute boy that Nandu and other elephant drivers rescue in the forest. One of the book's strengths is its awareness of the region's ethnic complexity. Nandu himself is well fleshed out, and his joy, sorrow, anger, and struggles are very real and approachable. Conservationist Dinerstein highlights the intelligence of the elephants, the bravery of the young people, and the intimate connections among all living beings in the forest. Enough backstory is provided to make this a satisfying stand-alone; a glossary and author's note are included, but a map is a notable omission.Heartfelt, compelling, and genuine, this book takes readers to where the action is, in the Nepalese jungle. (Historical fiction. 9-13)

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December 1, 2018
Grades 4-8 Nandu, now 13, has found happiness in his life in the Nepalese borderlands, where he lives with his adoptive father at the Royal Elephant Breeding Center, among the king's elephants and rhinos. But life in the borderlands, though wondrous, is not easy; as Nandu spends his days working with Hira Prasad, the bull elephant with whom he has formed a special bond, he also deals with environmental issues, like drought and famine, and faces increasing problems with poachers, who are willing to kill Nandu's beloved animals for their tusks and horns. He learns the depths to which opportunistic humans will sink, and, in finding new friendships, discovers the goodness that people can offer as well. In this sequel to What Elephants Know (2016), naturalist Dinerstein offers further insight into a hidden world as Nandu learns more about human nature and his own heart through his work with the elephants. With its abundant STEM connections and quiet prose, this is a natural fit for curious, animal-loving middle-graders.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)