Akimbo and the Elephants

Akimbo #3

by Alexander McCall Smith, LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Ten-year-old Akimbo lives on a game preserve in Africa. His father is the head ranger, and Akimbo is eager to help him whenever he can―even if it means getting into some pretty dangerous situations. In Akimbo and the Elephants , ivory poachers are killing grown elephants for their tusks and leaving the calves to die. When the authorities fail to turn up new leads, Akimbo sets out to save the elephants by posing as a hunter himself.

Genres: Africa, Fiction, Animals, Adventure, Childrens, Juvenile, Audiobook

80 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Orbi Alter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alexandera volim zbog knjige o Angusu koja je nesto najdivnije ikad, ali i ova ekoloska africka djecja prica je bas prekrasna. Zna on s atmosferom. Tamo si... kad kaze "Africka noc nikad nije tiha. Zacuo je zvuk insekata; ostro cicanje koje nikada nije prestajalo. Bilo je svugdje - iza njega, oko njega, iznad njega i bilo je tesko razaznati bilo koji zvuk." Odmah se sjetim ljeta i zrikavaca...
A i Akimbo je djecak kojemu je srce na mjestu. Knjiga iz koje definitivno prsti africki zivot. Naslovnica i ilustracije su prekraaaaaasne!

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the way to reading my way through Alexander McCall Smith's books, I shelved this set (5 of the Akimbo stories) and am just now getting back to it. . .

Akimbo is the son of a park reserve keeper with stewardship authority to protect and guard animals within its boundaries from that most dangerous of predators - mankind. Both father and son are upright, optimistic fellows who take their roles in life seriously, but not too much. In the five books Akimbo's adventures with crocodiles, lions, baboons, snakes and elephants are considered. This specific read was the elephant adventure.

In this one Akimbo learns of tusk / ivory theft and its devastating cost - the life of the tusk grower, and the real risk of herd security. He befriends a terrified elephant cub and advocates on its behalf with the grownups in his circle.

I considered it for reading with my grands, but they are all growing fast and we are having to move up to other options. I have one little bitty coming up but she's too little for this set - although she's a big fan of elephants, so I'll keep it on the list.

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and tense! Akimbo decides to take on the poachers all by himself. He is determined to save the elephants! Ethical dilemmas abound and parents will definitely want to talk to their kids about best choices. Well-written.

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of suspense and adventure, with a great message and wonderful illustrations. A great way to learn about Africa and animals, but people as well.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars: Pretty short book about a 10 year old boy who lives on the edge of a game preserve in Africa. The story was suspenseful and interesting and had danger, probably better for older elementary. Raises good ethical topics for discussion as it deals with poaching elephants for their tusks. Akimbo also does some things without his parents’ knowledge or permission which led to some good discussion.

[Mrs G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Africa, an adventure story involving poachers, elephants and a boy called Akimbo, a ranger's son. A good early chapter book for Y3+.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akimbo and the Elephants by Alexander McCall Smith is an interesting early chapter book with a unique setting. The book itself is only 68 pages and contains some black and white illustrations. The book takes place it in Africa on a game preserve. The main character, a young boy named Akimbo, lives in a very different world than what most New York City children are used to. Akimbo’s father works on a game preserve and helps to protect wild animals. When his father realizes that ivory poachers are killing elephants for their tusks, Akimbo takes it upon himself to bring these criminals to justice. It has elements of danger and suspense that keeps students engaged. This book is the first in a series about Akimbo’s adventures in Africa, so it can help reluctant readers take off if they enjoy it. The book also has a fact sheet about elephants at the end and it would be a nice follow up book for a class studying elephants, or wild animals, and reading nonfiction. The story also lends itself to a discussion about animal poachers and endangered species.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Akimbo, a young boy who lives on a game preserve in Africa, is determined to put a stop to illegal poaching of elephants for their ivory. When the adults around him don’t seem ready to take action, Akimbo hatches his own dangerous plan to find and capture the poachers. The author of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series brings his work to a younger audience in this series for new chapter book readers. What I like most about this series is the setting in Africa. What a great opportunity for your new reader to explore a world far from their own! This one works well as an independent read for a grade school child or as a not-too-long read aloud with your whole family. -Erin J.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Akimbo is a boy who lives on the edge of a large game reserve in Africa. One day he and his father find a dead elephant that poachers had killed for its tusks.

Akimbo learns that it’s difficult to catch poachers, but they think there’s a gang in town. He is sad and angry about the poachers, so he comes up with a plan. He sneaks out and manages to join the gang of poachers on one of their missions to get elephant tusks.

While he’s with the poachers, he sneaks away at night to find his father and the rangers. Then he leads them back to the poachers.

Some scary moments and lots of poor decisions (doing the wrong things for the right reasons).

Akimbo does everything in secret until the end and it’s very dangerous. His friend advises against the plan, but Akimbo says it’s worth it to save the elephants. The adults are upset with him and scold him, but in the end everyone is happy that the poachers are caught even though Akimbo took a lot of risks.

At the end, the head ranger says “You were very brave. If it hadn’t been for you, that elephant would have lost its life.”

The story is engaging. I’m not a fan of how a boy sneaks around and puts himself in great danger multiple times for elephants, and is portrayed as a brave hero at the end.

[Rachel Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really enjoyed reading this as a class during our Africa topic. I find our class books have a brilliant way of broadening our topic knowledge and often give children inspiration for our own writing. I chose this book because I wanted to introduce a discussion opportunity around poaching in Africa. The story is from the point of view of Akinbo and throughout my questioning focused on motives- what could he/she be thinking? why? what might have happened to him/ her yesterday?
The children were so energised in conversation about the idea of poaching, the motives of poachers and game keepers, the feelings of villager who are aware of this and the impact poaching could have communities living in the area.

I would recommend.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Akimbo is with his father when they come upon a dead elephant with the tusks missing. His father explains to him about how poachers kill the elephants to get the ivory. Akimbo then spots a baby elephant hiding but clearly wondering what happened to its mother. Akimbo's father explains that they try to catch the poachers but they're not often successful. This so angers Akimbo that he determines that he is going to catch the poachers himself by posing as a poacher.
This is an enjoyable series about life on a game reserve. Each book educates about an aspect but it's woven in the story so it's not necessarily obvious.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely presented adventure story for kids just beginning with chapter books. There are scenes of bravery and daring as Akimbo, a young African boy, devises a plan to bring elephant poachers to justice.

There are lush descriptions of the exotic locale and educational tidbits thrown in about African wildlife, animal behavior, and endangered species.

While the storyline isn't exactly realistic, it still presents humane values, good conversation starters, and will appeal to grade school boys--who can sometimes be difficult to get into reading for fun.

[Dover Free Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tamara listened to this audiobook on the Dover Library's RB digital platform (free to patrons). This short chapter book for children written by best-selling adult book author, Alexander McCall Smith (No.1 Ladies Detective Agency) is a part of a series of books about Akimbo, the son of an African game warden. Akimbo does his part to rescue elephants from poachers even putting his life in jeopardy before the massive elephants. Young readers age 6-10 particularly those that want to know more about wild animals of Africa will learn while enjoying a good read from this book.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite book in the Akimbo series. Akimbo is the son of an African game reserve ranger and he goes on adventures, the majority of which involve saving and rescuing animals and learning valuable life lessons. His passion for the elephants was so touching and his grand scheme to catch the poachers was absolutely brilliant!

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alexander McCall Smith writes so clevely about Bertie in 44 Scotland Street that I thought I would try one of his children's books to see if they would be as delightful as the books for adults. Sorry to say it was a pretty mundane story with none of the Smith pizzazz. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this on a road trip with my 8 year old niece

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting adventure tale of elephants and poachers and rangers expertly narrated by the author.

[White House Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good children's story set in Africa. Akimbo and the Elephants is a well written story about a very different world than ours. Good story about ethics and morality.

[Penney Letbetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable children’s story. I plan on continuing to check out the series. The author does a great job narrating the audiobook.

[Ntebogeng Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A boy (like us), living a life of adventure with animals out in the African open. Man! Poachers suck! It was educational and the kids loved this.

[Kaitlin Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. Beautiful storyline and a nice quick read.

[Haley Kilgour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid childrens anti poaching story. But I’m still trying to figure out why what I imagine is a 6/7 year old boy thought he could take down poachers. I’m still impressed he did it too.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short simple read but still loved it!!
🐘🐘

[Heidi_2811 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mielenkiintoinen, jännittävä ja opettavainen tarina. Hyvä tapa oppia Afrikasta ja sen elämästä.

[Edward Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing scarier than standing in front of an elephant in the wild. Mana Pools 1992 with one guide on foot. Thankfully no poachers around.

[lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable story for children. Negative....the herd is always led by a matriarch NOT by a tusker male. Mature males leave herd and return only for breeding/mating.

[Kristie J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short children's book/story (the audiobook was 1 CD) about a young, adventurous boy who wants to help his father and other rangers to stop elephant poachers on a game preserve in Africa. I enjoyed the story, mainly because I love elephants. Some of the details about elephants were not exactly correct. There was a male elephant with large tusks near the herd who was said to be protecting the herd and led the herd away from the poachers. I don't think this is exactly true. Elephants have a matriarchal society, with the oldest female being in charge of a herd. A huge male elephant would not normally be in the herd (except to mate) and would not lead them anywhere. Also, the story was a bit fantastical in that a young boy was able to easily figure out who was selling poached ivory in a small village when the adults apparently could not. Still, I can appreciate any story that illuminates ivory poaching and the need to stop it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akimbo lives near a nature reserve in Africa (the country is never specified). He and his dad find a poached elephant, mother to an abandoned baby elephant ;( The adults don't seem to be doing enough about it, Akimbo is especially concerned about the baby even though his dad insists that it will be taken care of by another elephant.

So, he decides to look into the poacher problem himself. It's a little bit of detective work and he puts himself into some questionable situations like most children's mysteries. It's decently exciting while also being an easy read. The language is pretty simple, suitable for kids 7-9. I listened to the audiobook in English, it's a good listen for a car ride.

[meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

i chose this as this month's book for my second-third grade book club sight unseen, based on a couple of reviews and my love of alexander mccall smith's no. 1 ladies detective agency series. just like his adult books, these novels for young readers offer an (age appropriate) engaging main character, an absorbing sense of place, and a compelling mystery. very well done, and provides me with lots of jumping off points for an exciting discussion about wildlife conservation and doing what's right in difficult situations, to name just a couple.

[Suvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akimbo ja norsut

Akimbo törmää isänsä kanssa kuolleeseen norsuun, joka on joutunut salametsästäjien uhriksi. Lähistöltä löytyy myös pieni poikanen, joka on jäänyt emottomaksi. Akimbo jää pohtimaan pikkunorsun kohtaloa ja päättää panna pisteen salametsästäjien toiminnalle. Akimbo asettaa itsensä vaaraan liittyessään salametsästäjien porukkaan ja yrittäessään käräyttää heidät itse teosta.

Aika lailla jännittävä tarina, mutta onneksi paha saa palkkansa.

Kakkosluokkalaisille ehdottomasti, menee vielä nelos-vitosillekin.