Selvi lives on the mist‑shrouded slopes of Serendip (fictional Sri Lanka), where her boundless curiosity leads her into the forest’s heart each day. There she meets Lokka, a leopard famed for his shimmering golden coat and keen, amber eyes. United by trust and wonder, they roam hidden valleys and ancient groves—until a band of poachers, drawn by Lokka’s priceless rarity, descends with bows and traps.
As the hunters close in, Selvi races home through moonlit tea gardens to warn her family—only to discover that those she turns to for help may not share her fierce devotion. At school, she confides in Amir, a classmate whose shifting loyalties leave her vulnerable. And when her influential uncle reveals a darker agenda, Selvi realizes that saving Lokka will demand every ounce of her courage and cunning.
Guided by her compassionate teacher Miss Heba and bolstered by the unlikely alliance of village children, Selvi orchestrates a plan to outsmart the poachers and expose their mastermind before dawn’s first light. Along the way, she confronts fears of betrayal and learns that true strength comes from collective action and unwavering hope.
Nizrana Farook and illustrator David Dean weave lush panoramas of misty peaks, vibrant wildlife, and the rhythms of Sri Lankan life into a fast‑paced narrative that celebrates friendship, conservation, and the power of one determined girl to change the world.
About the Author
Nizrana Farook is a Sri Lankan‑born author celebrated for her richly atmospheric middle‑grade adventures, including The Girl Who Stole an Elephant and The Boy Who Met a Whale. Drawing on her heritage and passion for wildlife conservation, she crafts stories of courage, compassion, and the bonds between children and the natural world.
Product Details
ISBN‑13: 9781682635810
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Published: May 2023
Pages: 224
Binding: Hardcover
