St. John, Lauren. WHITE GIRAFFE

Today we look at the last of the nominees for the NH Great Stone Face award. This one takes place in South Africa and involves a child who is orphaned and sent with a grandmother who does not really want her there. Add a legend of the white giraffe and you have a story that kids will be drawn to.


St. John, Lauren. WHITE GIRAFFE

The Africans have a legend, which says that the child who can ride a white giraffe will have power over all the animals….
Orphaned by the terrible fire that claimed her home and her parents, Martine has been sent from England all the way to a wildlife reserve in South Africa to live with her only living relative---a grandmother she never knew existed, and who doesn’t seem at all pleased to be taking on the care of a granddaughter. Struggling to adjust to her new home, new school, and new life, Martine is determined to find answers to her questions: why had she never been told about her grandmother? How did her grandfather die? What special ‘gift’ did the African wise woman detect in her? And finally, the most fascinating questions of all--are the stories about a white giraffe really true?—and did she really see one outside her bedroom window? Join Martine, and delve into the mysteries of Sawubona Game Reserve---you’ll encounter amazing wildlife, ruthless poachers, friends and enemies in unexpected places, and just maybe….the White Giraffe. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2008-2009)

http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/stjohn_white.mp3