2.5 stars

This felt very lecture-y and less of an organic story. It's not bad but not that great either. ( )

Thirteen-year-old Nandu works at an elephant conservation center on behalf of Nepal’s king. Nandu has a passion and love for the elephants and the wildlife in the remote Borderlands, especially Hira Prashad, an elephant he considers a brother. As drought drags on in the jungle, Nandu and his fellow handlers are distressed to discover bodies of rhinos with their horns missing. Poachers are at work but the regional warden and conservator appear to be doing nothing about it. Nandu is determined to do what he can to protect the wild animals he reveres. In general, the story reveals to young readers the issue of poaching and its impacts on wildlife. Kids will develop empathy for the plight of wild animals and appreciate the value of conservation. The author comes to this story with experience as a wildlife biologist so from that perspective the story is fully informed. ( )