This book is about a young 10 year old boy named Hastin who lives in northern India with his family in a poor village. Hastin’s sister gets ill and has to go to the hospital but the family can not pay the bill. Hastin wants to help his family and goes to the market to find work. Unfortunately he isn’t having luck until he meets a man who seems sincere and wants to help. This man tells Hastin he will pay off his sisters hospital bill if Hastin will come with him to be his elephant keeper until the debt is paid off. Having no other choice, Hastin agrees but quickly finds out that this man, who is a cruel circus owner, gives Hastin more than he bargains for.
The author did a wonderful job of showing how with perseverance, a kind heart and two special friends (one an elephant and one a human) goodness will prevail over badness!!