Bonding between human and animal is what can speak to middle grade kids. For fans of the jungle book, the message and imagery are unparalleled.

This book was a worthy sequel to What Elephants Know, though not dependent on it. Once again, Nandu's feelings of empathy for the animals as well as his kindness toward other abandoned children and his sense of justice created a compelling story with a satisfying ending.

Just over two years ago I read and reviewed <em>What Elephants Know</em> by Eric Dinerstein. It was a tremendously beautiful novel. Now Dinerstein is back with a follow-up ... <em>A Circle of Elephants</em>.

Thirteen-year-old Nandu works for the Royal Elephant Breeding Center - a newly established program that houses and protects the royal elephants. The center in on the edge of the jungle, which is good for the elephants to have some native land nearby. But even with the protection of Nandu and the others at the Royal Elephant Breeding Center, the animals and humans alike will be challenged by nature and by men.

Poachers are getting more and more bold, killing rhinos and elephants in the area for their tusks, and even the Royal breed are potential targets for these men without morals. Among these men is a poacher with a personal score to settle with Nandu for the trouble he caused earlier (in the previous book).

As before, Dinerstein's writing is so natural and casual that it is easy to forget that this is a work of fiction and not an actual journal of events. We can't help but fall in love with the elephants and wilderness that Nandu clearly cares for. And because we're brought into the story so nicely we also feel the same fear and concern when the animals are in danger.

This book has just a bit more of a didactic feel to it, as if the goal were to make sure we understand the real dangers for the animals, rather than telling a story and letting us recognize those dangerous as we go. Even so, this is too beautiful a book to ignore and I would love to make sure that every middle school student reads the adventures of Nandu - the world couldn't help but become a better place if youngster could be brought into a world like this.

Looking for a good book? A Circle of Elephants by Eric Dinerstein continues the adventures of Nandu and elephants in India which could have positive life-changing results on young readers.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Good middle grades novel on conservation.

The story is lyrical and moving. However, it requires having read the first book ("What Elephants Know") to fully comprehend it. I do not recommend it to anyone who has not read the first.

In the second book about a young elephant driver with a mysterious origin and a strong appreciation of nature, corruption and idealism collide again, and the good triumphs over greed after some horrific losses. Nandu witnesses the damage done by poaching and does his part if combating it.