Ali and the Golden Eagle

by Wayne Grover

An American working in Saudi Arabia befriends a boy from a remote village and helps him train an eagle to hunt.

Genres: School, Historical Fiction, Middle East, Childrens, Fiction, Young Adult, Geography

150 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Rll52013_andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I know this is not a new book. But, it is such a good one and so often overlooked, that I wanted to mention it here. It is not your typical classroom read aloud-it is a little slow and dry at parts and the teacher should really pair it with other materials to build background knowledge on Saudi Arabia. However, for the thoughtful group of kids who can delve a little deeper into a foreign culture, this one is a winner in my view, with great messages about friendship, multiple perspectives, respect for foreign cultures, care for animals and perseverance too. The genres of informational/biographical and multicultural literature should bring the reader into the foreign world and truly immerse him in it,---and this book does just that! This book teaches respect for foreign cultures and respect for differences. Still today, I do not believe there are enough high quality books for children about middle eastern cultures and this one fits the bill! Ali's deep relationship with his eagle is fascinating and so is the small native, cliff-dwelling culture he belongs to. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is how this small village has remained separate from the rest of the world, like a time capsule devoid of modern technology, and then, through the relationship with one outsider, it all begins to change. I had no idea that Wayne Grover wrote other books besides this one which is based on his real experience in Saudi Arabia (it can't get more authentic than that!) More recently he has written dolphin stories and is an avid conservationist. He keeps up an interesting website too.

[Jordan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fascinating true story of a man who discovers an isolated native tribe of people living with almost no contact with the modern world in Saudi Arabia. He befriends the youngest son of the chief, a boy named Ali, and helps him catch and train a magnificent golden eagle.
This story is what originally got me interested in Middle Eastern cultures. A truly authentic, engaging, and enjoyable read for anyone of any age.
Highly recommended. This book should be far more popular!

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book!

[Amy de Raaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting of this children’s novel was quite captivating. I haven’t read much literature set in the beautiful country of Saudia Arabia. Loved traveling to a new culture and exploring a whole another way of life.

[Siobhain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book though I was frustrated in my search for historical evidence connected with the story. Therefore, I am not sure how accurate the presentation is of this people group in Saudi Arabia. In the preface the author claims the episode was based on his personal experience in Saudi Arabia from 1977 - 1979. Ali and the Golden Eagle is a beautiful story of the author's contact with a group of people untouched by modern progress and the friendship that develops between the author and a boy who has a trained golden eagle.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think falconry is an amazing relationship between man and bird. Therefore the capture of the eagle, its training, and Ali's connection with it were fascinating to me. Lthe story also gives insight into a society untouched by modern inventions and technology. But Ali's success with the eagle changes the innocence of both himself and his village.

[Elise Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books about a man named Wayne (It's a autobiography) who discovers a village and climbs down. He makes friends with a boy named Ali and together they find a golden eagle. I didn't like the book because at last they know about technology, and I liked it because they find something worth finding.

[Savanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book and hated it!
i read the entier thing hateing every chapter. the day i finshed it and put the book back on the shelf, i was all ready missing it and wanted to read more. It was a very inspiering book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a man who caught a golden eagle for a boy who never saw human technology . The boy won in a contest and got $300.000 . You will read more interesting stuff about the book when you read it

[Leichty Library]

Copies: 1

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't agree with the practice. Interesting read, though.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story.

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book about friendship and eagles. Good read for kids and preteens.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one earns four stars from the kids - they really liked it. Quite a unique and amazing story. Seemed almost too fantastic to be true, but great for the imagination.

[Randall O. Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad my oldest daughter pulled Ali and the Golden Eagle out of the Sonlight curriculum for me to read. I love eagles and I'm writing a series of fantasy novels about a kingdom where golden eagles are utilized for hunting and war. Thus, I enjoyed reading Wayne Grover's account of his adventures in a small, primitive village separated from the modern world in a remote canyon of Saudia Arabia. Wayne finds the village while out rock climbing and exploring. He quickly becomes friends with Ali and his Muslim family; Ali's father, Mustafa, is the village chief. After witnessing the men of the village practice falconry, Wayne is determined to use his rock climbing skills to catch a golden eagle chick for Ali. Their great adventure begin there.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

My third graders read this (mostly) aloud to me for their literature to go along with our studies on Saudi Arabia scheduled in the MFW ECC curric. It was excellent for portraying Saudi Arabia, and not in ancient times but modern. The reading level was only slightly harder than my third graders' level, but nothing that impeded them so they'd dislike it. They were very excited at certain parts. We all felt a disconnect over the chapter about Ali's becoming-a-man tests. Here and in a few other points mentioning polygamy and its family tensions, as well as early marriage (Ali could get married as early as 14 if he passed the "man" test), the book was too mature for younger kids. Overall, it was a very good choice for our literature and geography studies.

[Amy Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes a village at the bottom of a canyon in Saudia Arabia. As the world develops, the villagers go on the way as their great-great-great-great grandparents did. In this book, a man from America and the author, who is the main character, comes to the village by rock-climbing down. I see their way of living, growing vegetables, getting wool from sheep, and most of all getting meat by training falcons. No man has ever had an eagle for a bird. The American man tries to get an eagle for Ali. Will he succeed? I loved this book. I read the 150 pages in one night. I did not get very much sleep! -Coen, age 11

[Johnny Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ali and the Golden Eagle is two stories: the building of friendships and the event horizon leading to the destruction of a culture that was unadulterated by modern technology. Wayne Grover does a great job writing this story and it reads rather easy.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. I think it's really cool that in the middle of Saudi Arabia there is this tiny remote village. I liked the relasionship between Wayne and Ali.
Hannah :)

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an interesting look at 1970's Saudi Arabia, but I really struggled with the adult author's interest in a 12 year old boy. It was probably completely innocent, and it is just my modern day cynicism showing, but it didn't sit comfortably with me.

[Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - we read this aloud (to 11.5yo, 9.5yo, and 4.5yo - the oldest was the most desiring to finish it) but we got a little tired of it. The story of getting the baby eagle for Ali is really cool but it grew less engaging for us.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing story!

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good way of seeing how some people would have lived in Saudi Arabia.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! So incredible! I was spellbound by this book and learned so many things! Well told. Hard to believe it’s true! Sonlight F.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great read. All middle school boys (especially American/Canadian) should read this book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read, educational and entertaining.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children all loved this book and it was a great cultural intro to Saudi Arabia.

[Mark Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. It was kind of dry at first but it got very interesting very quick!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable adventure of a young boy who has grown up in a secluded valley and is thrust into the modern world. Insight into the culture.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable adventure of a young boy who has grown up in a secluded valley and is thrust into the modern world. Insight into the culture.