School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-This fictional diary of a 12-year-old boy provides information, adventure, and entertainment through photographs, illustrations, handwritten diary entries, and hastily scribbled notes. Carey is to spend two weeks in Kenya with his "wacky Aunt Elaine," who is a fashion photographer on her way to a photo shoot. After arriving, he befriends Mutongai, a Maasai man who was hired to drive the supplies overland to the shoot locations, and his son Pilot. Through a combination of facts, observations, and illustrations, each animal they encounter is introduced. Carey joins Mutongai and Pilot on their drive from Amboseli to the Maasai Mara Reserve. The trip takes the three on an unforgettable safari and Carey sees a side of Kenya that few outsiders ever encounter. Along the way, readers will catch glimpses of how the Maasai are trying to preserve their land and way of life. Thrown into the mix is a plot involving poachers and endangered rhinos. The information is delivered in thought-provoking and humorous ways and the lively journal/scrapbook entries will have wide appeal, including reluctant readers. This title could be used to initiate discussions about cultural identity, endangered animals, and ecotourism. An author's note provides brief background information.-Genevieve Gallagher, Orange County Public Library, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Along the lines of his Amazon Diary, Hudson Talbott's Safari Journal poses as the notebook of a 12-year-old boy who accompanies his fashionista aunt on a photo shoot to Kenya. Carey's jottings, snapshots and drawings describe encounters with the Maasai, wildlife and a ring of poachers. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
A twelve-year-old kid stuck on safari with his wacky aunt quickly figures out that itÆs cool to be in Kenya. Detailed observations of African animals precede richly described adventures with the Masai and a dramatic nighttime capture of poachers. To make the journal seem authentic, Talbott uses slightly irritating kidspeak and scratchy handwriting interspersed with color photos and illustrations. From HORN BOOK Fall 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Liberally plastered with photos and color sketches, this hand-lettered journal records a 12-year-old vacationer's eventful two weeks in Kenya. Initially, Carey's not thrilled about traveling to Africa with his ditzy Aunt. But after attaching himself to a Maasai game scout and his son, he not only gets to observe lions, wildebeests, leopards, and other big game, but pays an eye-opening visit to a Maasai village, loses his Frisbee to a lurking crocodile, helps nab a group of poachers, and rescues a baby elephant--all while getting an earful from his guide about how and why many of the animals are endangered. As with his Amazon Diary (1996), readers will come away both envying the young narrator for having such exciting experiences, and closer to understanding the importance of wildlife conservation. (afterword) (Fiction. 8-10) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
