The Elephant Girl

Gr 4-6–Twelve-year-old Maasai girl Jama lives with her mom in their Kenyan village; her dad passed away four years ago. While her best friend and others at school are focused on boys and marriage, Jama is more interested in education and nature. She finds refuge at the watering hole outside her village, where she befriends the elephants who visit, including a baby elephant named Mbegu. Poachers arrive, attempting to kill the elephants for their tusks, which leads to a tragic accident involving Jama’s mom and the elephants. Jama suspects that the new ranger at the conservancy is collaborating with the poachers. When the other villagers want to kill Mbegu to seek revenge, Jama’s life is changed forever when she stands up for the animal and helps save it. Inspired by real events, this story vividly depicts Kenya as it explores the relationship between humans and animals. The back matter includes a glossary and author’s note explaining how poaching and population expansion threaten the elephant species.