Listening for Lions
by Gloria Whelan
List Price:
Our Price: $2.77
You Save: $3.22 (54%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Gloria WhelanEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-10
ISBN: 006058176X
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Reviews of Listening for Lions
Book Review: This may have been my first book by Gloria Whelan, but I can guarantee that it certainly will not be my last
Summary: 5 Stars
The year is 1919. While Rachel Sheridan's missionary parents spent their childhood cooped up in a musty old orphanage in England, thirteen-year-old Rachel has never known anything other than the wide open wild plains of Africa. A place where leopards and lions roam through the bush, hunting prey, and the sun sets and rises behind colorful mountains each and every day. The beauty of Africa, however, begins to fade when influenza kills her beloved parents, leaving the Kikuyu people void of a doctor to care for them, or a teacher to help them learn. As if that weren't tragic enough, the death of her parents leaves Rachel vulnerable, quickly falling prey to the evil schemes of her wicked, albeit rich, neighbors, the Pritchards. Before Rachel can figure out exactly what is happening, the Pritchards have shipped her off to England posing as their recently deceased daughter, Valerie. Caught up in their criminal scheme, Rachel is left to trick Grandfather Pritchard into leaving his estate to the two greedy parents. While Rachel misses the wild grasslands of the African plains, she learns to love Grandfather Pritchard, and can't stand the fact that she must deceive him in one of the worst possible ways. However, fearing threats of imprisonment from the Pritchards, Rachel continues on with the charade, lying in wait, like the patient lion, for the perfect time when she can spring her secret upon Grandfather, hopefully without killing the sick man altogether. Now, Rachel is set to capture the perfect moment when she can take control of her own existence once more, and find her way back to the home she has always loved. A home that will remain in her heart until the day she can return, and rebuild what her parents attempted to create.
As a historical fiction reader, I have encountered Gloria Whelan's books many times over the years, however, I have never actually read one. This all changed when I came across LISTENING FOR LIONS. As I am currently extremely interested in Africa, I was ecstatic to discover this gem. Rachel is a character whom I will never forget. Her caring nature is beautiful, and the fact that she dreams of rebuilding an empire that her parents had begun to create is admirable. Her part playing the pawn in a greedy couples scheme truly touches the reader, and makes them feel for the young orphan who wants nothing more than to save the less-fortunate people around her, and make a name for herself in the medical/missionary world. The interactions between various characters Whelan has created are inspiring, and truly bring the main players to life. From Rachel's conversations with sickly Grandfather Pritchard, to her love for the Kikuyu man Kanoro who cared for her and her parents for years; all the way to the viciously delightful exchanges she shares with the evil Pritchards. Each character plays a major role in shaping the young Rachel from orphan to a dedicated, determined student. This may have been my first book by Gloria Whelan, but I can guarantee that it certainly will not be my last.
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
Summary of Listening for Lions
Historical fiction with a wicked twist.
Listening for Lions is a breathtaking story of tragedy, deception, and triumph against all odds. National Book Award?winning author Gloria Whelan sets this richly historical coming?of?age adventure in British East Africa in the year 1918.
This irresistible novel entangles an orphaned girl in a deceit filled plot. Young Rachel Sheridan is made to leave her beloved Africa for England, where she must pose as the deceased daughter of a nefarious couple in an effort to gain them an enormous inheritance. Her irrepressible spirit and extraordinary wit turn her from victim to heroine in a surprising and empowering tale of a remarkable young woman.
Family Life Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Family Life Books
Little House in the Highlands (Little House the Martha Years)HarperCollins Publishers; Published: 1999-02; Hardcover; Book
Price in other shops:
The Wandererby Sharon Creech
HarperCollins; Published: 2000-03-22; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $2.39
Price in other shops:
Ruby Hollerby Sharon Creech
HarperCollins; Published: 2002-03-26; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $12.34
Price in other shops:
Chasing Redbirdby Sharon Creech
HarperCollins; Published: 1997-02-27; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $0.01
Price in other shops:
What Do You Say, Dear?by Sesyle Joslin
HarperCollins; Published: 1958-01-21; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $13.91
Price in other shops:
Bread and Jam for Francesby Russell Hoban
HarperCollins; Published: 1964-09-09; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $5.00
Price in other shops:
Flat Stanleyby Jeff Brown
Harper & Row; Published: 1964-01-01; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $6.99
Price in other shops:
Lily B. on the Brink of Coolby Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
HarperCollins; Published: 2003-11-01; Library Binding; Book
Price in other shops:
Septimus Heap, Book One: Magykby Angie Sage
Katherine Tegen Books; Published: 2005-03-15; Library Binding; Book
Best price: $11.65
Price in other shops:
Flat Stanley Audio Collectionby Jeff Brown
HarperFestival; Published: 2003-02-18; Audio Cassette; Book
Best price: $39.99
Similar Books and other products
No Talkingby Andrew Clements
Books; Atheneum Books for Young Readers; Published: 2009-06-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.60
Price in other shops:
The Breadwinnerby Deborah Ellis
Groundwood Books; Groundwood Books; Published: 2001-11-10; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.60
Price in other shops:
Zorgamazooby Robert Paul Weston
Razorbill; Published: 2010-09-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.11
Price in other shops:
Regarding the Fountainby Kate Klise
Harper Collins Publishers; HarperCollins; Published: 1999-03-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.96
Price in other shops:
Rulesby Cynthia Lord
Scholastic; Scholastic Paperbacks; Published: 2008-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.57
Price in other shops:
Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Ratby Lynne Jonell
Square Fish; Published: 2008-09-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.49
Price in other shops:
Homeless Birdby Gloria Whelan
HarperCollins; Published: 2001-08-21; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.21
Price in other shops:
Kensuke's Kingdomby Michael Morpurgo
Scholastic Paperbacks; Published: 2004-07-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.81
Price in other shops:
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thiefby Wendelin Van Draanen
Yearling; Published: 1998-08-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.72
Price in other shops:
The Year of the Pandaby Miriam Schlein
HarperCollins; Published: 1992-10-30; Paperback; Book
Best price: $0.44
Price in other shops: