491 books
—
507 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “The Girl Who Stole an Elephant” as Want to Read:
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
by
Chaya, a no-nonsense, outspoken hero, leads her friends and a gorgeous elephant on a noisy, fraught, joyous adventure through the jungle where revolution is stirring and leeches lurk. Will stealing the queen’s jewels be the beginning or the end of everything for the intrepid gang?
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Saoirse
This book is aged at eight- to ten-year olds. Anyone much older than that would, most likely, find it boring.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
A very enjoyable, adventurous middle grade read that plunges you deep into the jungle!
I'm so happy this was such a fun read to kick off Middle Grade Monthly with in 2020. This is fast-paced with short chapters, making it a quick and easy read. Chaya, our heroine, seems to be a bit of a klepto - she steals the Queen's jewels, gets her best friend arrested, then has to work out how to break him out of jail. She makes so many terrible decisions, but for all the right reasons.
I liked Chaya as a char ...more
I'm so happy this was such a fun read to kick off Middle Grade Monthly with in 2020. This is fast-paced with short chapters, making it a quick and easy read. Chaya, our heroine, seems to be a bit of a klepto - she steals the Queen's jewels, gets her best friend arrested, then has to work out how to break him out of jail. She makes so many terrible decisions, but for all the right reasons.
I liked Chaya as a char ...more
Read for the Middlegrade Monthly book club January 2020.
Chaya is a rebellious child. Daughter to the headman of her village, she’s a free spirit who takes trinkets from the rich to help those in need. Except one day she goes too far, and steals the Queen’s jewels - leading to an escape into the jungle with her friends. And the King’s elephant.
I want to start by saying that there was so much to love in this book. The setting is wonderfully lush and vivid in description, and I could almost imagi ...more
Chaya is a rebellious child. Daughter to the headman of her village, she’s a free spirit who takes trinkets from the rich to help those in need. Except one day she goes too far, and steals the Queen’s jewels - leading to an escape into the jungle with her friends. And the King’s elephant.
I want to start by saying that there was so much to love in this book. The setting is wonderfully lush and vivid in description, and I could almost imagi ...more
I really, really wanted to love this book. But there are things I just can’t overlook. Chaya wasn’t a rebel or hero to me; she was a mean, arrogant girl that treats people who are different from her like shit. The girl on girl hate was so stupid to me. I didn’t feel that there were any consequences for Chaya and her appalling behavior. Furthermore the events in the story were too convenient for me. I found it highly annoying that ‘the good side’ worked together with bandits who kill elephants fo
...more
I read an early version of this book. Aimed at readers aged 9-12, this thrilling adventure through the jungle touches on themes of loyalty, bravery and friendship. Robin Hood meets The Explorer, in the wonderfully vivid/exotic island setting of Serendib, which is beautifully described throughout.
Chaya is an endearingly cheeky, loyal, brave and fierce protagonist who you can’t help but immediately root for, even when we meet her after she’s just stolen a pocketful of jewels. The story gets going ...more
Chaya is an endearingly cheeky, loyal, brave and fierce protagonist who you can’t help but immediately root for, even when we meet her after she’s just stolen a pocketful of jewels. The story gets going ...more
Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month January 2020
MY BRILLIANTLY TALENTED AUNT WROTE THIS SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant perfectly recreates the heat and vibrance of a Sri Lankan jungle. From the descriptions of traditional Lankan food to the flora and fauna on the island, it easy to see the genuine nostalgia with which this was written. The characters stood up well as individuals which worked to represent the cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. Also the ...more
MY BRILLIANTLY TALENTED AUNT WROTE THIS SO EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK NOW!!!
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant perfectly recreates the heat and vibrance of a Sri Lankan jungle. From the descriptions of traditional Lankan food to the flora and fauna on the island, it easy to see the genuine nostalgia with which this was written. The characters stood up well as individuals which worked to represent the cultural diversity of Sri Lanka. Also the ...more
Nice!
Read- January 2020 for The Middle Grade Monthly Book Club hosted by Gavin and Jade.
This is the book that I wish I had as a child. This unapologetically Sri Lankan middle grade had me crying because man have I waited forever to see my country depicted this way in a book. The story follows Chaya – a mini Robin Hood – in a thrilling adventure about rebellion and friendship. Chaya was so realistically flawed and I loved that the story let her grow and learn.
Twelve year old Chaya is adept at stealing trinkets from the rich to help her poor fellow villagers pay for things their tyrannical King should rightly be providing. But when she steals the queen's jewels, Chaya suddenly finds herself in deep trouble. Plus, trouble that involves and endangers the lives of others close to her: her father, her best friend, the apprentice carpenter Neel, and the other villagers of Nirissa. Along with a newcomer named Nour, who hails from the deserts across the seas
...more
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to review.
Chaya, wishing to help her friend get money to recover from his injuries, steal jewels from the Queen. As a result, her best friend gets arrested, a runaway ensues and she befriends the King’s (stolen) elephant.
This was a very enjoyable middle grade full of adventure! This book was full of diversity in characters as well as culture, which is always refreshing in any genre—but especially in middle grade ...more
Chaya, wishing to help her friend get money to recover from his injuries, steal jewels from the Queen. As a result, her best friend gets arrested, a runaway ensues and she befriends the King’s (stolen) elephant.
This was a very enjoyable middle grade full of adventure! This book was full of diversity in characters as well as culture, which is always refreshing in any genre—but especially in middle grade ...more
Chaya steals to help others, but she wants to do it all on her own. Even when her friend Neel tried to help her, as does her new friend Nour. At the beginning of the book, I had no sympathy for her.
But as we see why she is doing these things, that this is not just for kicks, do we understand how strongly she is fighting for things to go right.
What I especially like is that people keep assuming that Neel, the boy, has been doing all the thieving, rather than giving her credit. Sometimes this work ...more
But as we see why she is doing these things, that this is not just for kicks, do we understand how strongly she is fighting for things to go right.
What I especially like is that people keep assuming that Neel, the boy, has been doing all the thieving, rather than giving her credit. Sometimes this work ...more
I wanted to love this one a little more than I did. It sounded right up my street, with lots of jungle action, and one of the main characters being an elephant. It fell a little flat for me, which was largely because I just didn't like Chaya. She's described in the blurb as being 'no nonsense.' In reality, I just found her a bit of a bully, and whilst some of her intentions were honourable, her methods were often questionable.
I really loved the setting, and I will never get bored of books that h ...more
I really loved the setting, and I will never get bored of books that h ...more
This was cute. It was like Aladdin meets Robin Hood with a female protagonist.
Chaya is a young girl who steals from the rich to support the poor people in her village. She steals with the best of intentions and even tried to take the Queen's jewels back once she saw the tragedy her actions were bringing down on village. Unfortunately, it was too late and Chaya, along with her friends Neel and Nour, became fast enemies of the king as they staged a jailbreak and stole his elephant.
This story was ...more
Chaya is a young girl who steals from the rich to support the poor people in her village. She steals with the best of intentions and even tried to take the Queen's jewels back once she saw the tragedy her actions were bringing down on village. Unfortunately, it was too late and Chaya, along with her friends Neel and Nour, became fast enemies of the king as they staged a jailbreak and stole his elephant.
This story was ...more
I really enjoyed this book and the adventure that it takes you on. My only dislike is how the story seems to end quite suddenly and feels a little rushed. However, Nizrana Farook tells a beautiful story about adventure, friendship and bravery. To begin with I found Chaya a little annoying but after a while she developed into a more caring and considerate person which was a joy to read. I would definitely recommend this story to children in my class!
I wanted to enjoy this but unfortunately I didn't. The first part of the book I really enjoyed and thought Chaya was such a badass girl. But in the middle-part and ending she changed into a annoying and arrogant person.
Some things in the story went over so quickly or didn't make any sense. And that ending was so bad like what the hell. 😅 ...more
Some things in the story went over so quickly or didn't make any sense. And that ending was so bad like what the hell. 😅 ...more
Such a fun and endearing story!
The atmospheric narrative, coupled with a bold girl as main character, spreading mischief tangled with good intentions, kept me entertained throughout. Seriously want to offer this to all the kids out there.
The atmospheric narrative, coupled with a bold girl as main character, spreading mischief tangled with good intentions, kept me entertained throughout. Seriously want to offer this to all the kids out there.
This was every bit as wonderful as I'd hoped. A Utopian combination of adventure, colour, complex friendships, & a wonderfully flawed MC who does all the wrong things for all the right reasons. Perfection. I defy anyone not to love this book!
...more
This is a cute story. I liked it. Not one of my faves, but not bad either.
Sorry this wasnt for me. Whilst the main plot was fine, I really did not like Chaya the main character of the book.
This is such a lovely adventure, and Nizrana Farook shows herself to be a master of plot, with short pacey chapters and cliff hanger endings. Brilliant characterisation overall, but Chaya the main character is an actual delight. She's reckless, brave, stroppy, good. I giggled out loud at some of the things she said and did. This is classic middle grade adventure, in a rich and sumptuous setting, and should be in all junior school libraries!
...more
4.75
Read my review here: http://sarahforestwood.blogspot.com/2...
...more
What a fun read.
Read for Middle Grade Monthly
Read for Middle Grade Monthly
4.5*
I read this while visiting family and they had it on their bookshelf, so I thought "Why not!" The cover looked good and I was told it was a good book, so I gave it a go.
The main characters and their backgrounds were well written. The sub and background characters were not as well written, but then it wasn't essential. This allowed more focus to be put on the main characters which was good. Focus was put more on the main character who was a bit obnoxious and the story was told mostly from her ...more
I read this while visiting family and they had it on their bookshelf, so I thought "Why not!" The cover looked good and I was told it was a good book, so I gave it a go.
The main characters and their backgrounds were well written. The sub and background characters were not as well written, but then it wasn't essential. This allowed more focus to be put on the main characters which was good. Focus was put more on the main character who was a bit obnoxious and the story was told mostly from her ...more
Feb 26, 2021
-`ˏ Galaxi Faerie ˎ´˗
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2021-reads,
2021-arcs
-`ˏ 3 stars ˎ´˗
Everyone will experience the consequences of his own acts. If his act is right, he'll get good consequences; if they're not, he'll suffer for it. — Harry Brown
Storyline: -`ˏ 5/10 ˎ´˗
A thrilling adventure of a klepto-Robin Hood and friends, saving (and destroying) their village in an attempt to earn money to save a boy's leg.
Characters: -`ˏ 4/10 ˎ´˗
Chaya is a disaster on the loose. Whoever crosses her way seems to face losses. “Who would have thought the villagers would turn agains ...more
Everyone will experience the consequences of his own acts. If his act is right, he'll get good consequences; if they're not, he'll suffer for it. — Harry Brown
Storyline: -`ˏ 5/10 ˎ´˗
A thrilling adventure of a klepto-Robin Hood and friends, saving (and destroying) their village in an attempt to earn money to save a boy's leg.
Characters: -`ˏ 4/10 ˎ´˗
Chaya is a disaster on the loose. Whoever crosses her way seems to face losses. “Who would have thought the villagers would turn agains ...more
I really wanted to love this one because the premise sounded delightful and animals are my favourite elephants; I thought it sounded exactly like my thing but sadly I was let down by it.
The premise is good and Chaya is mostly a brilliant character; a modern-day, female, robin-hood-esque character, stealing from the rich to help the poor, but my good she was a difficult character at times and was just so flat out uncomfortably rude that she drove me a bit nuts. She was a difficult character to em ...more
The premise is good and Chaya is mostly a brilliant character; a modern-day, female, robin-hood-esque character, stealing from the rich to help the poor, but my good she was a difficult character at times and was just so flat out uncomfortably rude that she drove me a bit nuts. She was a difficult character to em ...more
Wow, this book certainly doesn't pause to let you catch your breath! I read this in one sitting, with the shirt chapters and hectic pace leaving me unable to put it down, even for a minute. This is an original, exciting adventure following Chaya, Neel and Nour as they flee from the forces of law arrayed against them after Chaya steals jewels from the Queen, then uses the King's prize elephant as a getaway vehicle.
I loved the dynamics between the three children as they get to know each other, Cha ...more
I loved the dynamics between the three children as they get to know each other, Cha ...more
A fun adventure with a young Robin Hood type heroine, who pilfers from the rich to help the poor. When she goes too far in her pilfering, and takes some of the queen's jewels, she sets in motion a chain of events that involves elephant stealing, danger to her friends and family, a perilous journey through the jungle, and ultimately the overthrow of the tyrannical king. I think this one will have lots of Gen Z appeal--Chaya has identified a problem the adults aren't dealing with, and is plunging
...more
This is an exciting adventure story which really places you in the jungles of Serendib which are beautifully described. Chaya is a fun character, fearless and fiercely loyal to her friends. She is used to stealing things to help out the villagers but this time she has taken things a bit too far, by stealing the queen's jewels, and her friend is getting the blame. It was great fun watching the mayhem she gets up to and reading her cheeky comments and I laughed out loud several times. Neel and Nou
...more
I really just didn't enjoy this book. Chaya as a main character was really mean and arrogant and I don't think she had any consequences.
The plot itself was ok but lacking in believability. The ending was ridiculously convenient.
I did love the atmosphere though and it was definitely a quick read. Neel and Nour were great.
I listened to the audio book of this and the narrators were excellent so if you are going to read this I recommend going for the audio book. ...more
The plot itself was ok but lacking in believability. The ending was ridiculously convenient.
I did love the atmosphere though and it was definitely a quick read. Neel and Nour were great.
I listened to the audio book of this and the narrators were excellent so if you are going to read this I recommend going for the audio book. ...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
Related Articles
Kazuo Ishiguro insists he’s an optimist about technology.
“I'm not one of these people who thinks it's going to come and destroy us,” he...
320 likes · 29 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
