51 pages • 1 hour read
Lauren St. JohnThe White Giraffe
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John follows Martine Allen, an orphan who moves to Cape Town, South Africa, to live with her grandmother on the Sawubona wildlife sanctuary after her parents' deaths. Amidst making new friends and adjusting to her new life, Martine discovers her unique gift for healing animals and forms a bond with a mystical white giraffe, ultimately finding her purpose and ability to make a difference. Acts of racially motivated violence and discrimination are discussed.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Lauren St. John's The White Giraffe charms readers with its captivating story and vivid African setting, appealing primarily to younger audiences. Critics praise its adventurous plot and strong protagonist but note it can be predictable. The detailed animal descriptions and heartfelt themes provide an engaging, albeit sometimes simplistic, narrative for children.
Who Should Read The White Giraffe?
The ideal reader for Lauren St. John's The White Giraffe is a middle-grade audience, aged 8-12, who appreciates adventure, animals, and themes of courage and self-discovery. Fans of Katherine Applegate's The One and Only Ivan or Anna Sewell's Black Beauty will likely enjoy this uplifting tale set in the enchanting African wilderness.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
940L