Chained
Author: Lynne Kelly
Released: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Pages: 242
Summary from Goodreads:
After ten-year-old Hastin’s family borrows money to pay for his sister’s hospital bill, he leaves his village in northern India to take a job as an elephant keeper and work off the debt. He thinks it will be an adventure, but he isn’t prepared for the cruel circus owner. The crowds that come to the circus see a lively animal who plays soccer and balances on milk bottles, but Hastin sees Nandita, a sweet elephant and his best friend, who is chained when she’s not performing and hurt with a hook until she learns tricks perfectly. Hastin protects Nandita as best as he can, knowing that the only way they will both survive is if he can find a way for them to escape.Review:
An emotionally charged middle grade book that readers of all ages will learn from. I liked how the main character is a boy. Hastin has to be the man of the house since his father died and he is willing to make the biggest sacrifice so his mom doesn't have to work in unfavorable conditions. I really felt like I had an emotional connection to Hastin and the other characters of the book. Even though his father is not present, it's obvious the impact he had on Hastin and I enjoyed seeing how his influence shaped decisions and actions throughout the book. I would highly recommend you have your middle grader read Chained as it opens the eyes of the reader to a different part of the world and a different way of life.
I rated it 5 stars.
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