A Strange Type Of Heaven
The Last Leopard by Lauren St John is a powerful contemporary children’s novel that I loved. It is perfect for those aged ten years and over. It is the fourth book in The White Giraffe series but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend reading the books in numerical order for the continuity of story and for character development.
Once more we ‘travel’ to Africa to join eleven-year-old Martine and her friend Ben, and her grandmother on the Sawubona animal sanctuary. The three travel to Zimbabwe, a journey of over two thousand kilometres, to help a friend in distress.
Martine hates to leave her white giraffe, Jemmy but is excited to learn about the last leopard, Khan.
Once more, it is Martine and Ben’s love of animals that makes them put personal safety aside, in order to stop the animal poachers. The pair are brave and wise beyond their years. Both have unique gifts. Ben’s is tracking. Martine has the gift of healing. Before they leave Sawubona, Grace, an African healer says: “We don’t always get to choose the paths of our lives, chile… Trust in your gift. Trust your gift will keep you safe.” Martine will be called on to use her gift. She can trust the recipient, and he can trust her. Whether human or animal, the eyes are the windows to the soul.
Our planet needs to be preserved. We need to look after the animals and their habitats because once they are gone, they are gone forever. “Ben always came alive in nature.” Both Ben and Martine care deeply for the environment. They were both “kids from the suburbs, delivered by fate to Sawubona, where they’d fallen totally in love with nature.” They both recognised the great value of the natural and its’ need for preservation.
We meet the illegal poachers who must be stopped. “Animals belong in the wild, not behind bars like prisoners.”
The African scenery comes alive for the reader. We can ‘feel’ the heat, and ‘see’ the dust and grasslands.
Martine and Ben are plucky children who want to preserve the wild. They learn about natural healings, as well as Martine’s supernatural powers.
I absolutely love The White Giraffe series. Each book has a powerful storyline. The Last Leopard was a heartfelt tale about a magnificent beast.
JULIA WILSON