Review of Home for Wayward Elephants

[Laney K]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Home for Wayward Elephants" by James Rada Jr..]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Jessie's family died in a fire that was caused by a tragic accident. Jessie, the lone survivor, blamed herself. She was taken to a farm orphanage at the age of thirteen, where she met a baby elephant who had run off from the circus. She desperately wants to help the elephant and tries to care for it. However, the elephant was found and returned to the circus. At age sixteen, Jessie decided that she was going to join the circus to pursue her passion for working with animals. She also no longer felt happy at the orphanage. Pursuing her passion, she is reunited with Myrna, the elephant she had previously met. Will the happy reunion last? Will Jessie find a new home with the circus? Read Home for Wayward Elephants by James Rada Jr. to find out.

The themes of belonging and found family drove this novel. Jessie wanted nothing more than to feel as though she belonged somewhere. When she first joined the circus, she felt like an outcast. She was the only young, single female and had to room with an older woman. The other animal handlers were all male. However, she felt accepted by the elephants she worked with. She also became friends with a clown, Bradley. He, too, felt a bit like an outcast as his family of aerialists looked down on his decision to be a clown.

The book also captures the deep emotions of the characters. Jessie's first meeting with Myrna was a delightful look into the second when a child's life changes forever. There was an adorable moment when Jessie gave her cookie to Myrna. It was clear the care and compassion that Jessie had toward animals in this scene. Throughout the novel, there are other emotional scenes that help to make the characters compelling.

I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It was a delightful read with dynamic characters and highly emotional scenes. I disliked nothing about this book. Home for Wayward Elephants is perfect for fans of character-driven novels who are interested in the circus and enjoy historical fiction. It captured the life of a young orphan living during the Great Depression. Let your imagination soar as you follow Jessie and her quest to find a home and place to fit in.

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Home for Wayward Elephants
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[Rajesh Jat]

James Rada Jr.'s Home for Wayward Elephants is a poignant and emotionally resonant novel that explores themes of belonging, resilience, and found family. At its heart, the story follows Jessie, a young girl who tragically loses her family in a fire and struggles with survivor’s guilt. Sent to a farm orphanage at thirteen, she encounters Myrna, a baby elephant who has strayed from the circus. This brief but meaningful connection ignites Jessie’s passion for working with animals, ultimately leading her to join the circus at sixteen in hopes of reuniting with Myrna.

The novel excels in portraying Jessie’s deep yearning for a place to belong. Initially, she feels like an outsider in the male-dominated world of circus animal handling, and her living arrangements—sharing a space with an older woman—further accentuate her isolation. However, she finds solace among the elephants, particularly Myrna, and forms an unexpected friendship with Bradley, a clown whose own journey of self-acceptance mirrors hers.

Rada Jr.’s storytelling is enriched by emotionally charged moments that make the characters feel vivid and authentic. Jessie’s first interaction with Myrna—offering her a cookie in an innocent yet profoundly symbolic act of kindness—sets the tone for her compassionate nature. Throughout the novel, similar heartfelt scenes deepen the reader’s connection to the characters and their struggles.

With a well-paced narrative and a touching exploration of human-animal bonds, Home for Wayward Elephants is a compelling read for those who appreciate stories of resilience and self-discovery. Rada Jr. masterfully captures the emotional depth of his characters, making this novel a memorable journey of loss, healing, and the search for home.

Verdict: A beautifully crafted tale of perseverance and belonging, Home for Wayward Elephants is a must-read for fans of heartfelt, character-driven narratives.

[Louis Donald]

The emotional journey Jessie goes on, from her tragic past to finding a new sense of belonging with the circus, sounds truly moving. The bond with Myrna and the other outcasts adds a lot of depth to the story. I'll definitely be picking this one up.

[Pearl Flourish]

“Home for Wayward Elephants” by James Rada Jr. is a heartwarming tale set during the Great Depression, following Jessie, a young orphan who finds purpose and belonging in the circus while caring for elephants. The novel beautifully explores themes of resilience, found family, and the deep bond between humans and animals. Rada’s storytelling vividly captures the era’s challenges and the protagonist’s emotional journey, making it a compelling read for those interested in historical fiction and animal companionship.

[Taha Faisal]

Book Review: Home for Wayward Elephants by James Rada Jr.

James Rada Jr.'s Home for Wayward Elephants is a novel about historical fiction that stirs one's heart and will surely touch the mind of the reader with rich storytelling and deeply human themes. Taking the setting of the early 20th century, the unfolding of the story involves people becoming connected to the grand and vulnerable elephants in a way they had never imagined.

One of the strong points of Rada's story is his adeptness at reproducing history with details increasingly grounded in facts and compelling personalities. The book is not only about elephants; it also tells a tale of human resilience, compassion, and the bond between man and animals. Rada artfully knits fact with fiction to create an immersive narrative that feels both genuine and emotionally charged.

Character development in the book is excellent; the reader tends to feel for the human and animal protagonists. Characters reflect the perspectives of environmentalism, social reform, and just treatment of animals, which serves an enlightening and stirring theme in the novel.

Rada writes in a charming and stylized manner, evoking adequate imagery to transport the reader to the foreground of history. His ability to capture the emotions of his human and animal characters all adds more dense layers to the story. On the pacing, it is well-balanced enough that the reader goes on reading whatever hour of the day it may be.

Overall, Home for Wayward Elephants is most beautifully written, most appropriate for a lover of historical fiction, animal lovers, and also a purveyor of survival hope stories. He has given life to such powerful and memorable stories in the minds of his readers long after the last page. Highly recommended for anyone who will enjoy a finely moving and historically rich read.

[George Bastem]

Jessie's journey of finding belonging and healing through her bond with Myrna sounds truly heartwarming. The emotional depth and themes of family and acceptance make it a touching read, especially for those who enjoy stories with rich character development. The setting of the circus adds a unique layer to the story, making it even more captivating.