The title is not that striking, but my mother loves elephants, so I noticed this title. I have had several positive experiences with stories set in Eastern Asia or similar setting, like the Conch Bearer by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. This was no exception. This is an adorable story.

The Girl Who Stole an Elephant
By Nizrana Farook

Chaya steals from the rich and helps the poor survive an oppressive king. Her best friend tries to reign her in but she is irrepressible. When a theft of some royal jewels goes awry, she tries to set things right, but makes everything so much worse. She’s not sure if she can make things right again. And… she steals an elephant, of course.

The story is non-stop action and trouble! The pacing for a middle grade story was perfect! I read this book in two sittings, both at night, when I should have been sleeping. I couldn’t put it down!

I love this character! Chaya is always doing, always charging headlong into trouble. She is so optimistically certain she can fix everything. She thinks of solutions to her problems, but never thinks about the consequences beyond the next step. This character flaw makes her human and makes her relatable. Well at least for me—I’ve never been good at chess.


The author did a good job of creating a character that never stops to think 2 steps ahead. In Klaassen’s book, Scenes and Sequels, he writes about…um…scenes and sequels. Scenes in this sense are the sequences of action. Sequels are the moments of reflection that come after the action. Depending on the writer or the characters or the story, sequels are sometimes long and go on for pages and pages. Sometimes, as with this book, sequels are very short–only a sentence or two.

For example:

Chaya in chapter 1 stole some of the queen’s jewels. She jumped and climbed and scrambled to escape. Then we get a paragraph of sequel:

“It was pandemonium down there. The crowds were scattered and panicked, clusters of people moving in different directions. The King, standing out in his golden encrusted waistcoat, had come down from the dais and was roaring at his staff. The Queen and her procession of ladies were being guided out of the promenade up to the palace. The manhouts on the green were trying desperately to calm the confused charges and stop them from running amok. In the middle of it all, Ananda lifted up his majestic head and trumpeted loudly into the blue, blue sky.”

The Girl who Stole an Elephant pg 8 by Nizrana Farook
She didn’t reflect much on her own actions, just watched all the chaos she caused. On the next page she takes a moment to wonder,

“Chaya wondered what was happening at the royal palace at that moment. She’d lost them, but would they just give up? Surely they’d continue to look for her?”

The Girl who Stole an Elephant pg 10 by Nizrana Farook
This character, in her headlong action, does precious little reflecting. This keeps the pacing very fast, very engaging, and fun. Other stories and genres and characters spend more time reflecting and processing the action events. This is partly why I struggle to enjoy literary fiction. It almost always feels very slow paced because they spend so much time in sequel that the action scene never happens.

Another thing commonly done with sequel scenes is that the reflection is done through or alongside dialogue. If your characters experienced the action scene together, they might talk about what happened and process it together. With the scene above, she experienced the action alone. She is now processing her actions and the response in between her dialogue with her friend, Neel. He has no idea what just happened, but he can tell she is distracted by something (her thoughts). This helps keep the pace fast and keep engagement high. In a way, you are weaving the necessary sequel with the next action scene, because that does turn out that she asks Neel to hide the jewels for her.

Overall, these characters are lovable. The story is sweet. The plot…a little unrealistic. It is naïve and simplistic–not even a tiny bit gritty. So basically, a delightful escape from reality. I loved it! Totally appropriate for kids 3rd grade and up.

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?

This was an entertaining read- full of action and adventure. I liked the way the author built the world and I also liked reading about Sri Lankan culture and traditions.
At first I found the main character Chaya a bit annoying and impulsive. But I liked how she developed into a sympathetic and a caring character.
I liked the plot it was fun and fast paced. I found the storyline predictable but I liked the way the author executed it.
I felt the ending was very rushed and abrupt. There were some storylines which were left unresolved, so it left me a bit unsatisfied.
Overall it was an enjoyable read and young readers will definitely love it. It's a perfect book for the fans of Aladdin and Robin Hood.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read The Girl who Stole the Elephant.
I have mixed feelings about this book. To start on a positive note, I think that middle grade students would love this story. It is full of adventure, bravery, and courage. I also think that it will peak students' interests in other cultures.
The part I didn't really like was the ending. I felt that it was too abrupt for all that had happened in the story.
I will recommend this book to the targeted audience!

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 fun, fast-paced, and easy to read. It dealt with themes of friendship, family, and taking care of one another.

So why only 3 stars then? Although it was cute and I enjoyed my time with it, it's not the kind of story that leaves a lasting impression. It was just alright and I don't think it's one I'll think about again. Good for a one time read.

An unjust king uses his power to control his people and maintain his wealth. Chaya steals royal jewels from the palace to help a family in need, but accidentally sets off a chain of events with untold consequences.

I enjoyed this middle-grade novel. It had a lovable cast of characters that grew and changed as the story progressed. This book is definitely geared towards the lower end of middle-grade and the pacing/plot showcase this. There is not a lot of hardship for the characters and they are able to do awe-inspiring feats without much of a challenge. The plot also progresses so fast, it is almost difficult to keep up with how fast it is going. I was a little disappointed, that the plot resolved so quickly after the build-up to the ending. However, I do feel that this a quilty adventure novel that will keep young readers reading to find out about Chaya and her friends' jungle adventure.

:: SPOILER ALERT ::

I found the story very interesting. Fast-paced and it kept my interest. I liked that Chaya had a conscious and thought about how her actions affected the ones she loved and her entire village. She didn't act in a vacuum.

What I didn't like, and found it rushed, was the ending. Sure, the entire book is incredulous (children breaking out of jail and surviving in a wild jungle), but the end could have been fleshed out a bit more. That a ruthless, egoistic king would surrender so easily didn't go with his character. He didn't put up any fight at all? Really? It could have used a couple of more chapters to give this scenario a bit more believability. Of course, the children weren't going to die (it's a children's book), but after chapter upon chapter of riding through the jungle the author could have written a few more on the revolution.

Also, I kept expecting Nour to turn out to be a secret princess. Anybody else?

Definitely one of my favorite middle grades ive read about growing up south asian. such a sweet story and full of what it means to learn to believe in yourself and strike out on your own path in life.

The island land of Serendib is ruled by an unjust king—one who puts his greed above the needs of his people. A girl named Chaya has taken it upon herself to help her friends and neighbors, even if it requires thievery to do so. One day, Chaya steals a handful of jewels from the Queen’s bedchamber to pay for much-needed medical care for a boy in her village. Instead of a clean getaway, though, Chaya is seen, and the wrath of the King descends upon her people. After her friend Neel is incorrectly blamed for her actions, Chaya must rescue him and clear his name. Before long, Chaya and her friends Neel and Nour find themselves on an adventure that leads to much more than their own freedom.

Chaya’s world comes to life in descriptions of frangipani flowers, papayas, and plantains in a land where monkeys and elephants are commonplace. Foods and experiences of the island of Serendib, a fictionalized representation of the author’s home of Sri Lanka, are expertly woven into the narrative. These elements may inspire further research if they are otherwise unfamiliar to the reader.

Short chapters and an action-packed plot keep readers on their toes, encouraging the refrain of “one more chapter” while the story progresses. Direct storytelling and ample amounts of dialogue make this book accessible to newer middle-grade readers.

Differences in belief and background among the characters become increasingly less important as their friendship grows. Teamwork and the compelling need to do right by others is a pervasive theme of this book, transcending setting or upbringing. A powerful story of independence with a strong female protagonist, this is a delightful and entertaining book to be read independently or aloud.

When the King fails his people, Chaya comes through. She quietly champions the poor, the injured, and widowed, only the way she funds these charitable acts might be of question. Chaya's latest attempt to help an injured villager lands her, her best friend, and a new girl in town in a LOT of trouble. What started out as a robbery of the Queen's jewels ends up in a wild chase.

I really enjoyed that this story was very unpredictable. Every time I thought I knew what was going to come next, I was wrong!

Wonderful, fast-paced, colorful, and exciting!

CAWPILE Rating: 9

Great book! Would be a fun read aloud for a 4th - 6th grade class and the story lends itself to some great discussions about right and wrong. The setting in Sri Lanka was excellent and Farook developed the setting in such a way that it almost felt like an additional character in the book (which I absolutely love!!) Looking forward to introducing my students to Chaya.

With thanks to NetGalley and Peachtree Publishing Company for an early copy in return for an honest review.

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 books. Our cast of characters, specifically our three main friends, made the story what it was and were pretty well developed. There was also a lot of useful information in this story about the jungle, its inhabitants and their lifestyles.

However, this book is VERY fast paced, almost too quick for its own good. The resolution is wrapped up in one of this book’s already short chapters and the villain of the story gives in with one sentence. Many of the characters’ mindsets change in a similar manner, their rebuttals taken back after only a few words exchanged. Seeing as I’m not the target audience for this, though, I can look over the quick pacing and easily solved resolutions and appreciate the story for what it was. From that viewpoint, The Girl Who Stole an Elephant was an enjoyable tale of friendship, culture and full of lessons that anyone who reads it could learn.

This was a mixed bag for me. On one hand, I loved the protagonist. A true free-spirit and full of rebellion. Something we need people to see young girls can be. Chaya was my favourite and her team of companions really complemented her attitude.

However, too many convenient escapes and answers that I thought could have been nuanced and complex. That, plus the writing style (which on its own I wouldn't have minded since I do like straight forward tone) made this novel feel quick mechanical and plain spoken. It lacked flair or excitement in the way it was written so the excitement of the plot came across less enticing.

A fast paced Robin Hood like take with a main character who steals from the rich in order to help those in need. The main character is a girl who takes big risks that have big consequences for not only herself, but her father and best friend as well. As others get involved with her, they two get pulled into the trouble. In fact, she endangers her whole village despite having intentions that are relatively pure. This book has action, adventure and power struggles. It has much worth talking about if it is read in a book club or as a read aloud.

Release date: March 01, 2021

From the Publisher:
An action-packed, instant best-seller in the UK! Hitch a ride on this global adventure from Own Voices debut author Nizrana Farook.

Chaya, a nobleman’s rebellious, outspoken, no-nonsense daughter, just can’t resist the shiny temptations the king’s palace has to offer. But playing Robin Hood for her impoverished community doesn’t come without risks, and when Chaya steals the queen’s jewels from a bedside table—a messy getaway jeopardizes the life of a close friend. After an equally haphazard prison break, Chaya barely escapes on the king’s prized elephant! With leeches and revolution lurking in the jungle, Chaya leads her companions on a thrilling adventure. After leaving her village as a thief, can she return as a hero? Or will Chaya’s sticky fingers be the beginning—or the end—of everything for the intrepid gang?

Own Voices debut author Nizrana Farook spins an exciting, page-turning tale in a lush, vibrant, fictional Sri Lankan setting and featuring themes of friendship and loyalty, risk and reward, and heroism. A great middle-grade escapist novel and readaloud!



My Thoughts:
This book was so fun! It is indeed fast-paced and read aloud-able. Reading aloud everyday in small chunks will drive middle level readers batty, which is the best kind of read aloud. This debut author uses the jungles of Sri Lanka as a backdrop for her fictional adventure tale of a stubborn, headstrong, and very brave girl (Chaya), her long suffering best friend Neel and a just as headstrong daughter of a merchant, Nour. Every time Chaya thinks she has done the impossible in order to help her friends, a larger challenge pops up.



Like I said, this book is fun and I think what makes it fun is that there is no lull or breathing room in the adventures/misadventures of these three. Actually, counting Ananda, the stolen elephant who himself is a rounded out character, it really is about the adventures and misadventures of the four of them.

This is perfect for 6th grade read aloud. I find Chaya a breath of fresh air as a heroine and unlike some Roald Dahl character, she is both loved and respected by her family, despite sometimes being very stubborn and single-minded. Like Pippi Longstocking or Anne from Anne of Green Gables, this is the newest girl with spunk adventure.

Discussion notes from Nosy Crow @NosyCrowBooks

(scheduled to publish on January 31, 2021)

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 works in her favor, but other times, it just makes those in authority throw everyone into the same kettle of fish, so to speak.

I like that Nour was just as daring as Chaya, though later, when she gets into totally unfamiliar territory, she has to pull back.

A good, daring adventure, for the middle school set written by someone who is familiar with the landscape she is writing about, because she was born and raised in Sri Lanka.

Thanks to Netgalley and Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.

What a creative and thoughtful read!

I just adore stories that highlight brash and fearless female protagonists. My daughters could identify with this story on so many levels and the narrative was entertaining for adults and munchkins alike.

While I think some young readers might enjoy the adventure offered by this book, it was hard for me to see much beyond a selfish kid making repeated selfish choices with minimal understanding of the likely consequences. Maybe I'm getting too old for this type of book, but I spent most of the time wondering where these kids' parents were! xD

I requested this book on a whim. I thought the title was humorous, the cover was cute and I am actually trying to read more middle grade books just to broaden my horizons and read a wide range of things. This book truly delivered.

We follow a, somewhat unlikeable, Chaya who is a bit of a Robin Hood character in her village. She steals from the rich to help the poorer folks in her village afford the necessities. In all comes to a head when she steals from the King himself and has to go on the run with her best friend Neel and accidental accomplice, Nour.

This is a book I would have absolutely loved in middle school. The imagery is fantastic, and left me wanting roast breadfruit if I'm being honest... the tensions felt realistic for middle grade. As an adult I did not feel much tension or suspense but I think as a child I would have.

The story is very fast paced and easy to read. There are a few plot twists, and the character development was decent. Nour especially had a great arc, Chaya I think needed a bit more work but I loved her all the same.

Though there is no magic, this book reads like a fantasy novel, which means I felt right at home in it, and really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the setting, and many of the characters. The plot fell together perfectly, but..a little too quickly. I'm not one to turn down a storybook ending-- it IS a storybook, after all. But I do wish it had been brought together such that the pieces click together slowly, instead of all at once. The villagers go from ready to hand Chaya over to the king to be killed to supporting her chosen monarch's superior claim to the throne in about 2 seconds of monologue! Still, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Farook.

“You can’t expect people to help if you don’t tell them things.”


🐘 Chaya may be young, outspoken, and hotheaded but that’s not all — she’s also a thief, stealing things that the rich won’t miss to help her poorer community thrive. When Chaya takes on a riskier heist she’ll need her friends, human and elephant, to help her see it through.

This book was super cute, and I thought the character’s personalities all balanced each other out really well. I do feel like it took a little while for the story to reach its real momentum, and then it wrapped up a bit to quickly. Still worth a read, this one gets 3.5 stars from me! 🐘