A vivid, well-written, inspirational story about "lost boys" struggling to survive in war-ravaged Sudan. The story centering on protagonist Jacob Deng is based upon the real-life experiences of a Sudanese boy who eventually emigrated to Canada. Includes insightful interviews with the author and the real-life Jacob. There is a growing body of literature for young people about Sudan and this novel stands among those books. ( )

In 1983, southern Sudan was thrust into civil war and thousands of boys were displaced. Families and whole villages were destroyed, torn apart, lost forever.

This story is based on the true story of Jacob Deng who was a child of the Sudan. The author, Jan Coates, has masterfully woven fiction around the deeply moving, horrific story of a young child running for his life. Jacob was only seven years old when his village was raided and he barely escaped certain death. Having to leave his mother behind, along with everything he knew, he began walking for what turned into many months, and along the way he joined up with hundreds of others – all boys – on the same journey. After crossing a crocodile-infested river the survivors became refugees in another country, but even there they were not safe.

This is such a gripping, well-written story that at times I gasped, aloud said, “oh no!”, and winced at the suffering and struggles those young children endured. Hungry, afraid, and without their parents, they did what they knew to do – stay together, keep walking, keep ahead of the enemy, and somehow survive another day of exposure to the elements and wild animals. This is one of those books that was truly hard to put down – when eating and sleeping seemed a nuisance while reading a story in which both food and sleep were hard to come by for those children.

A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk is not overly graphic to read, but at the same time it is real. Jan wrote a powerfully descriptive story that pulls the reader into the life and climate of Africa where daily existence is fraught with the challenge simply to survive. And this story is a story of survival and the strength of the human will along with an underlying faith to rise above one’s circumstances.

The amazing gem is that Jan Coates met Jacob Deng here in Nova Scotia, and after talking with him she felt compelled to write his story. The result, A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk, has gained well deserved attention, now listed as a 2011 finalist for the Governor
General’s Literary Award.

In the back of the book there is an interview Jan had with Joseph Deng. There is even a glossary to which the reader can refer to understand the meaning of some African words, such as abaar, which means orphan, and wadeng – a Dinka word which means look always to tomorrow; it will be better.

This book is an excellent way to learn about the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Proceeds from the sale of A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk are shared with Jacob’s charity Wadeng Wings of Hope, which is another good reason to add this novel to your personal library. ( )

Although this story is not biographical, it is strongly inspired by the real Jacob Deng, a Southern Sudanese man who was driven from his home in Duk Padiet by civil war. For me, this novel packs a multitude of lessons, not for 'young adult' readers, but for human beings in general. There is a scene where Jacob asks an elderly traveler why their country is at war, to which the elderly man replies, "because we believe in a different God." This, among other reasons told to a child, reminds the reader that war is thought a viable solution too quickly in too many countries. As Jacob grows up, walking all over Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya, he is reminded often of his mother's words, which are to get an education and learn to solve problems with words, not violence. Jacob is from the Dinka people, who have a term, wadeng, which means 'look always to tomorrow, it will be better.' After incredible hardships, intense hunger, thirst and suffering, Jacob lives by these words. If you are a fan of a true survival story that opens your eyes up a little wider, try A Hare in the Elephant's Trunk.
For more reviews, visit bookstress.blogspot.com ( )

NS
Nova Scotia Minister of Education:
>
> "This is a very important book; one which addresses world issues, and
> one that NS students will be interested in reading. The story will
> captivate young readers and provide them with valuable information
> about current global events. Jacob's message may motivate students to
> continue their education and to be hopeful - and look to tomorrow; it
> will be better. It is exciting to know that both the author and the
> subject of A Hare in the Elephant's Trunk are living in Nova Scotia
> and may be available to speak to students about aspects of the book." ( )