Elephant Secret

Written by Eric Walters

Narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley

We Bought a Zoo meets Jurassic Park in a gripping story featuring the evergreen appeal of human-animal friendships and set in an elephant sanctuary, about a thirteen-year-old girl, a cast of elephants, and a surprising new arrival-a woolly mammoth.

Sam was born and raised in an elephant sanctuary. When a beloved elephant dies giving birth, Sam develops a connection with baby Woolly-who isn't actually an elephant but was cloned from woolly mammoth DNA. And the billionaire genius behind the cloning experiment will stop at nothing to protect his investment. Smart, determined, and loving, Sam stands up to this powerful adversary to protect the sanctuary and her herd. In the best tradition of child-animal friendship stories, Elephant Secret explores the strong and complex bond between Sam and her elephants while offering a fascinating, authentic glimpse into elephant-and human-behavior.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Dec 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781977365606

Eric Walters

Eric Walters is a Member of the Order of Canada and the author of over 125 books that have collectively won more than 100 awards including the Governor General’s Literary Award for The King of Jam Sandwiches. A former teacher, Eric began writing as a way to get his fifth-grade students interested in reading and writing. Eric is a tireless presenter, speaking to over 100,000 students per year in schools across the country. He lives in Guelph, Ontario.

Reviews for Elephant Secret

[krysreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was apprehensive of this story because how much can really be said about elephants? but needless to say I was impressed! Eric Walters told a fantastic story that kept me reading and wanting to know what happens next! The story teaches the importance of family and the great bond it holds, regardless of who’s in it whether it’s a herd of elephants or a widowed-parent.

[kenagurl-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An enjoyable read, even as an adult. The characters are engaging and the plot held my attention. A family feel-good book that can be read with your middle schooler to open up conversations around relationship dynamics in the herd, various ethical (or not so ethical) choices made by characters, and the importance of balancing responsibility with childhood fun.

[pmarshall_82 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first chapter book of Eric Walters that I have read and I did take a long pause in the middle as it was so slow in moving forward. I was also frustrated because I didn’t know where the elephant sanctuary was, having travelled in Africa and seen these wonderful animals in their natural habitat I hoped it was there. But it didn’t feel right and I, correctly, decided it was in the United States, which was a disappointment. But Sam and her father did do good work thereSam’s bonding with the animals was realistic and true, particularly with the baby and it was here the speed of the book picked up and carried through to a satisfactory ending. For now I prefer Walters picture books but would try any of his writing. I am proud he is a successful Canadian author.I received this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. I also posted my review on Amazon.ca.⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

[ravenshoe-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

13 and raised on her family's North American elephant sanctuary, Sam can do it all. Drive truck, haul bales of hay, and speak the secret language of elephants. Every member of the herd holds a special place in her heart and Sam is fiercely protective of her over-sized family but it's the pregnant Daisy Mae who is about to turn Sam's world upside-down. When Daisy Mae's baby is born, Sam and her dad suspect that something just isn't quite right about the baby and they're about to be taken on an adventure of a lifetime. A billionaire genius, top secret science experiment, and Sam's beloved herd come together in a story that is timely, relevant, and entirely believable. Walters offers an endearing story with just the right combination of facts and fiction. Well done!

[thebacklistbook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This one snuck up on me. The first half was very slow going. Being easy to read with solid world building saved it for me. In the latter half it picked up. By the end I was thoroughly invested.

[bucketofrhymes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a free copy through librarything’s early reviewers program in exchange for an honest review — thank you!What can I say about Eric Walters at this point? I — along with countless others, I’m sure — credit him with my love of reading. I’ve always liked books, for as long as I can remember. But Eric Walters was the first author I saw in person, the person who made me realize that writers could be Canadian, the guy whose books I always gravitated towards when given the choice.Which is all to say that I loved this book, because OF COURSE I did.This is classic Eric Walters. Characters with heartfelt and realistic interactions (I love how the relationship with the stepmother plays out!). Lots of interesting facts about the subject. A plot that will keep you interested and turning the pages. And, of course, flat-out good writing.It’s nice to know that after 100 books, Eric Walters is still consistently awesome.

[sjgirl-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thirteen year old Samantha has grown up on an elephant sanctuary, it’s a life she loves, though it’s put to the test with the addition of two newcomers to the herd, one troubled, and one decidedly different.Samantha’s a likable young heroine, she has her moments where she’s a little too sarcastic much like any thirteen year old, she’s also admirably loving and protective towards her elephant family with ambitions of becoming a veterinarian. Initially, I was concerned that Sam’s relationship with her dad’s girlfriend would be some stereotypical wicked stepmother type of deal, but I thoroughly enjoyed how quickly it evolved into something else, it ended up being one of my favorite relationships in the book. While it makes sense that Sam knows a vast amount of elephant facts, at times it felt like those facts were delivered in a slightly clunky way, the story was always best whenever it just went ahead and showed you the elephant behavior, rather than paragraphs of research, though it certainly is interesting information either way. I adored Woolly, and as much as I could see that pre-historic twist on the story appealing to the many kids into that, for me, it kind of felt unnecessary, eccentric billionaire Jimmy often felt like an intruder on the down to earth story I preferred. The touching and so well-written interactions between Sam and these big, vulnerable animals and the loss she has in common with two of them, and failing to balance doing kid things like going to a dance while embracing the huge responsibility of these elephants, having an emotional conversation with her dad about a topic they’ve avoided, I loved these aspects of the book and just found myself not wanting them interrupted by a helicopter or anything else with a more over-the-top feel. It’s not that I hated the prehistoric twist, I still very much enjoyed this book, I just didn’t feel like like the story actually needed any sci-fi/sci-fact to jazz up what was already compelling and full of heart. I received this book through a giveaway.

[kalleigh-799837 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was such an amazing book about animals and how they bond with humans. Elephants are such amazing creatures and this book really hits you when certain events take place. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves animals and wants to have a nice heartfelt read full of family love and commitment. I would definitely read this book again!