Synopsis: Sophie’s father is always telling her to be careful of the Sahara Desert. When Sophie meets Gidaado the Fourth and his fine albino camel, the offer of an exciting camel ride is just too good to resist. But the Sahara is even more dangerous than Sophie could have imagined!

Review: Sophie has never met a white camel before. The camel’s owner, young Gidaado the Fourth tells her that his albino camel Chobbal has never met a white girl before either. Gidaado is a girot, a member of a story telling tribe, visiting the market to buy medicines for his sick grandmother. Keen to have a ride on Chobbal, Sophie goes off with Gidaado into the Sahara. They stop to picnic in the hollow trunk of a giant Baobab tree. But while they are eating the notorious camel thief, Moussa ag Litni, rides off with Chobbal. Sophie and Gidaado follow the bandit’s tracks in an effort to get Chobbal back, but then Gidaado falls into a sand trap. Sophie must overcome her fears to get help for her injured friend and free Chobbal. This story is an intoxicating mixture of fun and adventure. Young children will be mesmerised by the descriptions of spitting cobras and dangerous bandits. And clever, resourceful Sophie is the perfect match for sharp, witty Gidaado. Although there are plenty of anxious moments for the two main characters, young readers are always made to feel that help is just around the corner. A good read aloud book and a useful addition to the bookshelves of KS2 classrooms.

Glen Dimplex Award

2007-02-19