Reasons Why
I would recommend this book to someone who is not only into adventure books but who also enjoy books that involve animals, especially ones such as those found on African Safari's like giraffes, lions, snakes and other dangerous animals. The setting itself, Africa is a place where adventure is all around because of the types of animals, mountains, and many hunters. Animals play a key role in the book as the main character in the story is a white giraffe. Other animals add to the adventure of the book when it tells of how poachers hunt animals in the safari. The poachers are the "bad guys" of the story and they keep Martine constantly concerned about Jemmy. The poachers want Jemmy just as much as Martine does and the poachers bring danger to the story because they have guns. The poachers know that a white giraffe would bring a huge price if it were killed and sold. The book is all about adventure. Every page is either a continuation of an adventure or a start to a new one.
Another reason I would suggest this book is because it has so many different types of characters, it could appeal to almost anyone whether it be a boy or a girl. The book also reminds anyone, no matter what sex or age, of how life can change in an instant. It also gives a good life lesson to all persons when it says "Everything happens for a reason"(Pg. 6). The story contains a variety of characters that would many could identify with. It shows not only from the main character's perspective on life but also the views of characters such as Gwyn Thomas and Tendai. Gwyn Thomas shows us how she had to take the responsibility of taking in an eleven year old girl that has just lost her parents and had been moving from house to house and almost went to an orphanage. It also shows Tendai's perspective such as how he had to pick her up when she first arrived in Africa from an airport and how he got lost in Cape Town. It showed how he didn’t give up and after an hour he made it there. He wasn't upset that he had to go pick her up, he was welcoming to her because he was glad to meet her. This incident would appeal to many when it showed how a stranger can greet someone that he has never even met, and it can be the beginning of a great friendship. Tendai’s first words when he found Martine at the airport already sounded like he knew Martine when he asked "Are you all ready Miss Martine?" (Pg. 20)
My third reason to why I would recommend reading this is because it shows how animals and humans can come together as friends and help each other out. This story is fiction, but it shows us the real side of animals, that ones that we are scared of or think are dangerous may not be. Some animals that we believe would harm us, could be gentle creatures just living in their natural environment. Humans such as poachers and safari guides disrupt animals and allow them to get angry instead of letting nature take its course if they weren't hunted or trying to be caught. This story can remind us of the movie "Free Willy", the movie of a child who was connected to a whale, just as the girl in this book is connected to a giraffe. Both of them have in common a human helping a wild animal get to safety and watch over each other. Martine in the story reminds me of a girl from a Disney princess movie who shows kindness and compassion, like many characters that are connected to the animals in the movies. This is like a Jules Verne book with all of the adventure parts in it but also mutual respect.
My final reason on why I believe everyone should read this book is because of the way the author created the characters and their parts. Each character in the story is an important part of the story. The book would not have been nearly so interesting if even one of the characters were not included. Martine is a perfect character for the story in terms of how her life had been going. At the beginning of the story when her parents die you believe that she is going to become a depressed kid and it will be a boring story. But once she makes it to Africa and meets new people and learns about the white giraffe the whole story feels like it just started and Martine becomes a new character. Her attitude changes so quickly that it makes you want to keep reading to find what happens next. The way the author caught my attention surprised me. When the main character, Martine entered Africa she was entering a "new world" and she began seeing animals, people and the homes that she wasn’t used to seeing back in England. The new atmosphere for Martine was just amazing. As each new day of Martine’s life unfolds, and a new person comes into her life, they bring their own special touch and view to the story.
"Geoff's Blogs." : African Safari. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May
2014.
I would recommend this book to someone who is not only into adventure books but who also enjoy books that involve animals, especially ones such as those found on African Safari's like giraffes, lions, snakes and other dangerous animals. The setting itself, Africa is a place where adventure is all around because of the types of animals, mountains, and many hunters. Animals play a key role in the book as the main character in the story is a white giraffe. Other animals add to the adventure of the book when it tells of how poachers hunt animals in the safari. The poachers are the "bad guys" of the story and they keep Martine constantly concerned about Jemmy. The poachers want Jemmy just as much as Martine does and the poachers bring danger to the story because they have guns. The poachers know that a white giraffe would bring a huge price if it were killed and sold. The book is all about adventure. Every page is either a continuation of an adventure or a start to a new one.
Another reason I would suggest this book is because it has so many different types of characters, it could appeal to almost anyone whether it be a boy or a girl. The book also reminds anyone, no matter what sex or age, of how life can change in an instant. It also gives a good life lesson to all persons when it says "Everything happens for a reason"(Pg. 6). The story contains a variety of characters that would many could identify with. It shows not only from the main character's perspective on life but also the views of characters such as Gwyn Thomas and Tendai. Gwyn Thomas shows us how she had to take the responsibility of taking in an eleven year old girl that has just lost her parents and had been moving from house to house and almost went to an orphanage. It also shows Tendai's perspective such as how he had to pick her up when she first arrived in Africa from an airport and how he got lost in Cape Town. It showed how he didn’t give up and after an hour he made it there. He wasn't upset that he had to go pick her up, he was welcoming to her because he was glad to meet her. This incident would appeal to many when it showed how a stranger can greet someone that he has never even met, and it can be the beginning of a great friendship. Tendai’s first words when he found Martine at the airport already sounded like he knew Martine when he asked "Are you all ready Miss Martine?" (Pg. 20)
My third reason to why I would recommend reading this is because it shows how animals and humans can come together as friends and help each other out. This story is fiction, but it shows us the real side of animals, that ones that we are scared of or think are dangerous may not be. Some animals that we believe would harm us, could be gentle creatures just living in their natural environment. Humans such as poachers and safari guides disrupt animals and allow them to get angry instead of letting nature take its course if they weren't hunted or trying to be caught. This story can remind us of the movie "Free Willy", the movie of a child who was connected to a whale, just as the girl in this book is connected to a giraffe. Both of them have in common a human helping a wild animal get to safety and watch over each other. Martine in the story reminds me of a girl from a Disney princess movie who shows kindness and compassion, like many characters that are connected to the animals in the movies. This is like a Jules Verne book with all of the adventure parts in it but also mutual respect.
My final reason on why I believe everyone should read this book is because of the way the author created the characters and their parts. Each character in the story is an important part of the story. The book would not have been nearly so interesting if even one of the characters were not included. Martine is a perfect character for the story in terms of how her life had been going. At the beginning of the story when her parents die you believe that she is going to become a depressed kid and it will be a boring story. But once she makes it to Africa and meets new people and learns about the white giraffe the whole story feels like it just started and Martine becomes a new character. Her attitude changes so quickly that it makes you want to keep reading to find what happens next. The way the author caught my attention surprised me. When the main character, Martine entered Africa she was entering a "new world" and she began seeing animals, people and the homes that she wasn’t used to seeing back in England. The new atmosphere for Martine was just amazing. As each new day of Martine’s life unfolds, and a new person comes into her life, they bring their own special touch and view to the story.
"Geoff's Blogs." : African Safari. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May
2014.
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