Eric Dinerstein is a researcher who has spent many years in Nepal and his fluency in the native tongues and the culture of the region (and love for it) is apparent. This book seems almost like love letter to the people and culture of Nepal.Nandu is a young apprentice who is trying to work his way up to mahout, an elephant jockey basically. his job entails feeding and cleaning up after the elephant. His father is a shuba sha, a very well respected mahout who has an uncanny connection with the great beasts and is a teacher and medicine man.
Then one day an order from the king threatens to turn their world upside down-their stable may close and if so their livelihood will be gone. Nandu and his friends come up with an outrageous plan they they hope will save the table.
Their remote area is far from the law and bandits run wild. One group of them called the Maroons is rampant and deadly and Nandu and the other elephant trainers must always be on the lookout for these miscreants who can strike at any time .
Dinerstein's novel touches on a variety of topics such as conservation, gender relations, education but not in a heavy handed way. The topics remain accessible to young readers. I recommend this book for ages 9 and up. The publisher has also provided a handy discussion guide as well.
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