Mela and the Elephant, by Dow Phumiruk, is a book about a girl named Mela who got lost in the Jungle and is trying to get back to her village. Mela was born and lives in Thailand, and this book shows readers the culture and customs living in that country. Through Mela’s search to find her way back home she meets a wide variety of animals who trick her and get her even more lost. This was happening until she finally found the elephant who helps her get home at last. Throughout the book, it has the theme of kindness which I enjoyed while reading it. This book would be great in a middle school classroom, especially a Social Studies class where the class is learning about different cultures around the world. I overall recommend this book! ( )

Mela and the Elephant is a book about a young girl named Mela who finds herself lost in the jungle away from her village. This book takes place in Thailand and gives a look into the traditions of the people living there. Mela encounters many animals on her return back home. Although the animals take advantage of her and take her reward and leave her stranded once more. Then she runs into the elephant. The elephant does not want any reward, just to help her find her way back home. At the end of the book Dow Phumiruk gives author notes that show the different traditions and the language of the people of Thailand. This is a very cute book about how kindness alone can be a great reward as well as incorporating a different culture. This would be a great book to read when exploring different cultures and countries around the world. This fictional book also has a great lesson about kindness that any one of us can relate to. This book could read for any age of middle school students, and in any subject. Although it might make more sense to read in a Social Studies class, I believe it is a well rounded book and can be related back to real life. ( )

Nice story, with excellent notes from author about traditions, etc. ( )