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jvbook_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of my favorite books of all time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Death of parent and Racism
Minor: Police brutality
abbypenn2003's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book back when I was in sixth grade thanks to my wonderful teacher who had recommended it to me. I absolutely fell in love with this book and went on to read the second book and almost went through the third book. For some reason, I was just thinking back to all of my books I had read about three or four years ago and this one really stood out...now I am really wanting to reread this series 🤞😊
tiagos_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
melodye's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
steph12345's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
swhite's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Animal cruelty, Bullying, and Physical abuse
mayedayyy's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
hannahrebmann's review against another edition
2.0
I can’t believe I was assigned this book to read in school as a kid…
The only thing I remembered about this book from when I was a kid was that it was about a little girl who lived on a safari and met a magical white giraffe. It sounded interesting so I decided to read it again. Now having finished it, and being much older, I honestly can’t believe I ever read it.
This book is outright racist. It is a classic white savior book. It’s about a little girl who was born in England who goes to Africa to save a white giraffe and her grandmother’s reservation and only she can save it because she has “the gift.” There was one chapter of the book where the author mentioned race/skin color 7 times in one chapter. The author describes Africa as, “this wild amazing place with its strange, hostile people.” And goes on to say, “there was something else in the scent too, something wild and exotic and…African.” The author also continuously generalizes the entire continent of Africa as if everything the main character is experiencing is how the entire continent is. She types out accents for an older black woman who the author also had teach the main character “Zulu traditional medicine.” The author also tried to really skirt around the white savior plot by having the main character be born in Africa, as if that makes it better.
This book is honestly really bad. The only reason I didn’t give it one star was because the premise and the idea of the book is interesting to me. But honestly it’s written incredibly poorly. So poorly I can’t even chock it up to “not standing the test of time.” It’s just bad. Don’t read this and don’t have your kids read this.
The only thing I remembered about this book from when I was a kid was that it was about a little girl who lived on a safari and met a magical white giraffe. It sounded interesting so I decided to read it again. Now having finished it, and being much older, I honestly can’t believe I ever read it.
This book is outright racist. It is a classic white savior book. It’s about a little girl who was born in England who goes to Africa to save a white giraffe and her grandmother’s reservation and only she can save it because she has “the gift.” There was one chapter of the book where the author mentioned race/skin color 7 times in one chapter. The author describes Africa as, “this wild amazing place with its strange, hostile people.” And goes on to say, “there was something else in the scent too, something wild and exotic and…African.” The author also continuously generalizes the entire continent of Africa as if everything the main character is experiencing is how the entire continent is. She types out accents for an older black woman who the author also had teach the main character “Zulu traditional medicine.” The author also tried to really skirt around the white savior plot by having the main character be born in Africa, as if that makes it better.
This book is honestly really bad. The only reason I didn’t give it one star was because the premise and the idea of the book is interesting to me. But honestly it’s written incredibly poorly. So poorly I can’t even chock it up to “not standing the test of time.” It’s just bad. Don’t read this and don’t have your kids read this.
heatheradoresbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5⭐
Genre ~ children's fiction ages 9-11
Series ~ Animal Healer #1
Setting ~ South Africa
Publication date ~ May 1, 2008
Page Count ~ 181
Audio length ~ 4 hours 46 minutes
Narrator ~ Adjoa Andoh
POV ~ single 3rd
*older read mini review*
I'm almost certain I read this book because giraffe's are my most favorite animal, beside my dog, Arnie, of course.
11 year old, Martine's, life has just been turned upside down when her parents were killed in a house fire, on her birthday no less. Her only surviving relative lives far away in South Africa, so she has to, not only meet and live with someone she never knew about, but do so in a foreign place as well. Raising her granddaughter is something new to Gwyn, too, so they both have some learning to do.
A sad beginning turns into a heartwarming tale of imagination and adventure.
Side personal note ~ I was probably around the same age when my house burned down. We were not home at the time, so luckily my family was safe, but I had some pets that sadly did not make.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
Genre ~ children's fiction ages 9-11
Series ~ Animal Healer #1
Setting ~ South Africa
Publication date ~ May 1, 2008
Page Count ~ 181
Audio length ~ 4 hours 46 minutes
Narrator ~ Adjoa Andoh
POV ~ single 3rd
*older read mini review*
I'm almost certain I read this book because giraffe's are my most favorite animal, beside my dog, Arnie, of course.
11 year old, Martine's, life has just been turned upside down when her parents were killed in a house fire, on her birthday no less. Her only surviving relative lives far away in South Africa, so she has to, not only meet and live with someone she never knew about, but do so in a foreign place as well. Raising her granddaughter is something new to Gwyn, too, so they both have some learning to do.
A sad beginning turns into a heartwarming tale of imagination and adventure.
Side personal note ~ I was probably around the same age when my house burned down. We were not home at the time, so luckily my family was safe, but I had some pets that sadly did not make.
Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.
Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter
estea's review against another edition
5.0
I read this when I was little and it was my favorite book