Warrior Boy by Viriginia Clay

Synopsis (from Goodreads) 

Pages: 274

Publisher: Chicken House Books 

Released: 6th of September 2018

London schoolboy Ben is heading for Kenya to meet his Maasai family. But how is an outsider like him going to fit in?

When he meets his cousin Kip, he discovers they share more than he thought – if only Ben can keep up . . .

Together, the boys must survive the African savannah: hunt for food, defend elephants from poachers – and even face the king of the beasts. Does Ben have what it takes to be a twenty-first-century warrior?

Trigger Warning: Poaching, animal death (for food and ivory)

What I Have to Say 

This was a lovely story, but also very, very moving. There's action, adventure, Maasai culture, coming-of-age and family. It has everything that a kid can want in a book really. Ben is an excellent character who is so easy to connect and empathise with and Kip is funny, brave and the best friend/ cousin a boy could have. Together they form a true brotherhood in the African wilds. 

The elephant poaching is a very big part of the book. Ben's mum is on a team of documentary makers who are working to make a video revealing the horrors of the ivory industry and so they are right in the heart of the issue. There's a part with a baby elephant and it's mother that could make the hardest hearts weep! It's moving, important and eye-opening and will make anyone reading want to go to Africa and fight for the elephants tooth, nail and spear (though maybe we should send donations to those more capable of fighting for them rather than hop straight on a plane. Especially if the person reading is ten). 

The Maasai culture was shown beautifully, with Ben working hard to become a warrior and live up to his father's memory. The fact that he has a crippling phobia of blood is just one of the obstacle in his way as he faces challenge after challenge. And there are useful tips in there for anyone who also finds they faint at the sight of blood. 

I loved reading about Ben's journey and I really hope that you do too. 

 My thanks go to Chicken House for providing me with this copy for review.