Junior Review: The Girl Who Stole An Elephant

Impulsive and brazen, Chaya is a school girl who does all the wrong things for all the right reasons. 

This modern Robin Hood tale begins as she swipes the Queens Jewels, hoping to help her friend who needs money for a doctor.

Through her actions, Chaya unwittingly lands her best friend a death-sentence, which they then try and outrun in an adventure through the jungle, all on the back of the Royal elephant (also stolen, of course). 

Pursued by the King’s men, It looks like there’s no way back for these exiles, but sometimes, help can come from the most unexpected places.

With one close shave after the next, the story is lively and moves along at a satisfyingly brisk pace. But the most memorable element of this book definitely is the setting. Heady and exotic, it is a fictional Sri Lanka, verdant, tropical and sticky with heat. A place of riotously fragrant frangipani and jasmine,  jambu fruit and rice paddies, all inspired by author Nizrana Farook’s homeland.

Junior Review: The Land of Forgotten Girls

Sisters Sol and Ming have each other, and not much else. 

After their mother and sister die, their father remarries and they leave the Philippines for a new life in America. But soon he deserts them as well. 

Left with evil stepmother Vea, their life is hardly a fairy tale, but fairy tales are exactly what these girls need.

With a knack for storytelling inherited from her mother, Sol weaves a world of make-believe for little sister Ming. It’s the only way she can help make their hopeless existence a little more bearable. 

Sol’s tales of dragons, magical quests and mythical Auntie Jove work well, maybe a little too well, when Ming becomes convinced their imaginary aunt is really coming to save them.

Junior Review: New Kid

Do you remember how it feels to be the new kid?

Jordan Banks is an ordinary twelve year old boy who dreams of going to art school. His parents... have other ideas.

In this graphic novel, we follow Jordan’s story as he finds himself bundled off to a swanky private school, notable for its privileged students and a distinct lack of cultural diversity. 

It’s a far cry from the neighbourhood he calls home, and finds himself torn between two different worlds.

Jordan happens to be African American, and his story runs deep with themes of racial prejudice, economic privilege and what it’s like to be in the minority. 

12 Curly Questions with New Junior Reviewer Evie Bee!

Evie is a ten-year-old book-mad girl who would read in her sleep if she could. She runs the bookish Instagram account @rockinreads where she shares her love of middle grade books. When she doesn’t have her head in an epic magical mystery or adventure story, Evie can be found dancing her way through the day or solving Rubik's cubes.

Evie is also KBR's newest and most effervescent contributor. We are beyond ecstatic to welcome Evie on board and can't wait to share her enthusiastic reviews with you. Luckily, her first junior fiction review will air just after Easter so make sure you visit again then. Meanwhile, we invite you to get to know this amazing powerhouse of book love a little better. Welcome, Evie!