The White Giraffe

The White Giraffe By: Lauren St. John

Martine's parents have been killed in a fire.  She is devastated, but finds out that she has a grandmother that lives in Africa.  This grandmother is now her guardian,  and Martine has to leave the only place she has ever known.  When she gets to Africa, she finds her grandmother a cold woman who doesn't seem interested in her, and school is different. There is a legend that Martine will be the one to ride a mysterious white giraffe and take care of animals.  Martine has to find out what is true and how to take care  of herself and the animals she finds.

This book was different, but I liked the theme of the book.  It really talked about how people should care for animals and not harm them.The book also covered some really good ideas about being kind.  There is a boy that everyone ignores because he does not talk, and the culture of the school is to do this, but Martine feels badly about it.  I think that this has some great ideas to talk with kids about.
I felt horrible for Martine in this book, she lost everything she knew. But in the end she was able to find her place with her grandmother. 

I borrowed this book from a friend.
ISBN: 978-0-545-10581-1