Title:  The Girl who Stole the Elephant
Author:  Nizrana Farook
Genre:  Middle-grade
Rating:  4 out of 5

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?

This was a cute, fun read. Chaya is a Robin Hood character, stealing from the evil, rich king to help people—until her best friend winds up in jail and sentenced to death for one of her thefts. There’s lots of adventure here and a vibrant setting as Chaya learns a lesson about how to treat others and taking responsibilities for her actions.

Nizrana Farook was born in Sri Lanka. The Girl Who Stole the Elephant is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Peachtree Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.)

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