Publishers Weekly
02/29/2016
Dinerstein, a conservation scientist, draws on his Peace Corps experience in the 1970s for his children’s book debut, a compelling coming-of-age story. Nandu—an 11-year-old Tibetan child found in the Nepalese jungle by Subba-sahib, head of the Thakurdwara elephant stable—is raised to be a “mahout” (elephant driver) by his adopted father and the elephant he thinks of as his mother. When the Nepalese king threatens the stable with closure, Subba-sahib sends Nandu to school to learn to operate “in a world that is very different from the one in which I grew up.” Nandu attracts wise teachers like Father Autry, a priest and conservationist, and Baba, a holy man, who nurture and guide Nandu. Nandu’s experiences with ethnic prejudice (a plea for help lands him in jail: “A Tibetan driving an elephant? Ha”), as well as terrible guilt after he himself kills numerous “marvelous birds,” make him attuned to dangers facing wild species, particularly elephants. Through memorable characters, an exquisite natural setting, and Nandu’s direct narration, Dinerstein’s story reveals the rich diversity and interdependence of human and animal realms. Ages 8–12. Agent: Richard Abate, 3 Arts Entertainment. (May)
From the Publisher
" What Elephants Know is a blend of Eric Dinerstein's enriching experience of working in Chitwan National Park in Nepal together with his deep knowledge and insight on wildlife biology. This novel well explores tigers and other wildlife in the lush green tropical forest of Nepal on elephant back and will definitely encourage young readers to contribute to wildlife conservation."— Deepak Bohara, Minister of Labor and Employment, and former Minister of Forests, Government of Nepal
" What Elephants Know is an engrossing and evocative tale. The pages shine with deep understanding of local cultures and the natural world. It is an entrancing journey of the heart, rich in imagination and suffused with compassion for all creatures. Readers of any age will treasure this novel."— George B. Schaller, Panthera and Wildlife Conservation Society
"A compelling, lyrical story about how family can be found in unexpected places. Set in the breathtaking jungles and rural culture of Nepal, this is a wonderful read. A beautiful book!"— Melissa de la Cruz, author of Isle of the Lost
"An enchanting adventure into the natural world. This book will awaken young readers, especially, to the beauty and mystery of elephant life and of Nepal and its people. You cannot leave this tale without a renewed passion to help save the planet."— Bruce Babbitt, former United States Secretary of the Interior
"Elephants, it is said, never forget, but it is certain that if you read this book you will never forget it. Dinerstein takes you on a journey which extends through knowledge and adventure into wisdom."— David W. Macdonald, CBE, Founding Director of WildCRU, Oxford University
"Eric Dinerstein has a deep love for and understanding of Asian elephants and the threats and problems they face today. You will be fascinated, angered, and charmed in turn by this beautifully written story. And it will, I am sure, inspire many to help those working tirelessly to protect these wonderful animals and their forest habitat. Please read it and share it with others."— Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder, the Jane Goodall Institute, and United Nations Messenger of Peace
"Eric Dinerstein, a world-class scientist who knows the ecology of the Himalayan region better than almost anyone else, has turned his razor sharp intellect to fiction in his enchanting debut novel, What Elephants Know. His deep knowledge of wild animals, lush landscapes and the rich culture of Nepal permeates through this poignant coming-of-age novel. It's as much fun as bouncing on an elephant back through the swampy tall grass, looking out for the hidden tiger!"— K. Ullas Karanth, Director for Science-Asia, Wildlife Conservation Society
"I loved this book, and read it cover to cover, unable to put it down. It is such a refreshing journey into another elephant world, very special to Asia, indeed Nepal, resonant with an afterglow of Mowgli, and Eric Dinerstein's own deep feelings about the jungle, and the people and the wildlife that live there. It will delight all elephants lovers."— Iain Douglas-Hamilton, DPhil, CBE, founder, Save the Elephants, and coauthor of Among the Elephants
"In this fine book, a lifetime of reality-based wisdom is almost magically distilled into the imagined, yearning voice of a young boy in the jungle, surrounded by elephants and tigers and wild things, facing (as we all do) the great question of where he can fit in so changing a world. It's a totally enchanting, utterly unexpected story for children of all ages."— Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel
"No creature better embodies the delicate, paradoxical relations between humans and the rest of the natural world than the Asian elephant, wild but tamed, faithfully servile but majestic and proud. Eric Dinerstein's book movingly explores that relationship as it plays out in the life of one young boy, Nandu, a proxy for us all."— David Quammen, author of The Song of the Dodo and Spillover
"Now and then a book comes along that no electronic device can compete with, a book that encourages people to go outside and create their own adventures. What Elephants Know is a powerful story full of wonder. Readers won't want to put this book down as they experience Nandu's deep connection to the jungle and all its inhabitants."— Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods
"This novel vividly captures the beauty and magic of a wild place and is sure to inspire kids to help save threatened animals on our planet-especially the majestic elephants."— Jennifer Emmett, Vice President, Content, Education & Children's Media, National Geographic Society
School Library Journal
02/01/2016
Gr 4–7—Abandoned in the Nepalese Borderlands, two-year-old Nandu is cared for by a pack of dholi, Asiatic wild dogs, until he is brought to the king's elephant stable. There, Subba-sahib, the stable's head, and Devi Kali, a nurturing elephant, become his de facto parents. Even though he's young, Nandu longs to become a mahout, an entry-level driver; however, when the stable's very existence is threatened, Nandu is sent to boarding school to learn skills that might help the stable survive. Father Autry becomes his mentor, helping him develop an even greater appreciation for the jungle. Despite corrupt government officials, marauding Maroons, and cheating elephant traders, Nandu's fierce determination prevails. Dedicated to "elephant lovers everywhere," the novel is set in a land where survival is dependent upon a respect for both the intelligence and potential danger of animals as well as on the use of one's wits. As with all coming-of-age tales, the protagonist's maturity comes at the cost of many hard lessons. He is a fully developed character, and the portraits of Father Autry and Subba-sahib are equally well drawn. While the dialogue seems a bit stilted at times, it is consistent with the formality of this culture, and it serves the story's rhythm. A small glossary aids comprehension of both the Nepalese and elephant trainer's terminology. VERDICT A solid choice with good values and themes that will engender discussion.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, formerly at LaSalle Academy, Providence
Kirkus Reviews
2016-01-20
In the borderlands between Nepal and India during the 1970s, an orphan boy overcomes adversity to save his village and become a great elephant driver. Abandoned in the jungle as a baby and cared for by wild dogs known as dholes, Nandu is rescued by an elephant, Devi Kali, and the head of a royal elephant stable, Subba-sahib. That he thinks of these two as his parents is clear from the very outset of this first-person narrative: "My mother is an elephant and my father is an old man with one arm." But one day Nandu spoils the king's attempt to shoot a tiger, perhaps influencing the king's decision to close the elephant stable. Subba-sahib sends Nandu to boarding school, where he is again an outsider and bullied but where he also meets a white teacher. Together they collect bird specimens for the Smithsonian. Nandu and his friend Rita devise a plan to save the village by converting the stable to an elephant breeding station. Dinerstein (Kingdom of Rarities, 2013), a conservationist who has spent time in Nepal, brings his expertise to the story, occasionally overloading it with information on Nepal's culture, flora, and fauna. Although at times Nandu seems inordinately wise, this coming-of-age story—a story of finding one's home—succeeds. This earnest tale will appeal especially to budding naturalists. (glossary) (Historical fiction. 9-13)
