Gloria Whelan’s novel, Listening for Lions, takes place in British East Africa in the year 1919 when 13-year-old Rachel loses her missionary parents during an influenza epidemic. Instead of her neighbors, the Pritchards, helping her, they involve her in a scheme to pass her off as their daughter and send her to visit their father who has disinherited them. Upon arriving in England, Rachel and the seriously ill grandfather develop a surprisingly strong, affectionate friendship. Rachel continues the scheme, believing that one more shock will kill the old gentleman. Rachel continues to grapple with her dishonesty, grief for her parents and homesickness for Africa.
Listening for Lions author Gloria Whelan will speak at the St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading on Oct. 27 at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. What question would you like to ask her about this book or her writing career in general? Post it on our blog and we will find out the answer at her session.
Have lots of questions or just want to meet this author? Join us at the Festival of Reading this Saturday. Be sure to bring your book for an autograph! For more information, go to www.festivalofreading.com.
I really enjoyed the book. It was ineresting how different the world was to women back in the early 19th century. It is crazy how much details about africa there are when she never actually went there. The book has so much information about the locations yet how she made it a fictional story. I did not want to put the book down I wanted it to last forever! I am not suprised Gloria Whelan's book Listening for lions is a battle book!
Posted by: Cassidy Madeira Beach MS | November 27, 2007 at 11:27 AM
i loved listening for lions it was a vary exsiting a vary lovabull book. i felt bad for rachel when she was forced to dress like valrey and by the pericherds doghter im GLAD I GOT TO READ IT THANKS
Posted by: auusna MADEIRA bEACH ms | November 27, 2007 at 11:34 AM
The book was so detailed that know I really want to look up things like the animals and the land and about the characters.
Posted by: Jessica maderia beach middle school | November 27, 2007 at 12:25 PM
Listening for Lions was the best book I ever read! The author really gave great details that could give you an idea of what the place looked like. I enjoyed it a lot, I am glad I read it. It was AWESOME!!!!
Posted by: Ocean Madera Beach Middle | November 27, 2007 at 01:14 PM
Listening for Lions is a very good book and the author really gives you the feeling of really being there.
Posted by: Rebecca Madiera Beach Middle School | November 27, 2007 at 01:14 PM
I loved this book it was one of favorites. It was very very good and my librarian says its one of the best!!
GO BAYPOINT MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!!
Posted by: T. S. | December 06, 2007 at 09:15 AM
This one was the first I read and definitely one of my favorite books out of them all!
Posted by: Sorella, BPMS | December 08, 2007 at 09:42 AM
The details in this book were vivid and deep. Displaying how she lost her doctor parents in the middle of saving people was heroic. Also her 'grandfather' and how he took her in even after he found out the thruth that she wasnt really his GrandDaughter. I has to be one of my all time favorites!!
Posted by: Taylor, Bay Point Middle School | December 20, 2007 at 09:27 AM
This book was so wonderful. You will immediately love Rachel and all the other characters.
Posted by: Leah B. CSRMS | February 20, 2008 at 11:18 AM
this book is funny and sad. you never know whats going to happen next. it was sad that rachel's parents died but was happy when the grandfather adopted her. it was a good book I could not put it down. keep those books coming.
Posted by: victoria | February 29, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Listening For Lions is a book about a girl named Rachel who had to live through many deaths in her life. Her parents, her friends, an even still other loved relatives. She wants to follow her father's footsteps as a doctor in her home land of Africa. This book was had a really sweet story and I liked it a lot.
Posted by: S. Mattox CSRMS | March 20, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Listening For Lions is mainly about a girl named Rachel who lived in Africa. Her parents died of a disease that was called influenza. Now Rachel is to go to an orphanage but Rachel really doesn't seem to like the idea of going to an orphanage. Her only chance of not going to an orphanage is pretending to be a girl named Valarie who died of the disease called influenza. The Pritchards, the girl's parents will try to help Rachel to be Valarie. Now Rachel must go to England and visit Valarie's Grandfather which is ill. In the end Grandfather knows the truth that Rachel wasn't Valarie and he decides to adopt Rachel. I really loved this book. This book made me very sad and I cried!
Posted by: La Alejo Mrs.hill Charles S Rushe Middle School | March 28, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I HAVE TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING IN THIS BOOK FOR BATTLE OF THE BOOKS. I READ EVERY SINGLE ONE AND I AM TEAM CAPTIN....IM VERY PRESSURED!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: GLORIA | April 25, 2008 at 06:39 PM
I think Listening for Lions was very inspiring. A young girl who wanted to help her country by becoming a doctor to care for the people of her country. Very good book.
Posted by: B. Weber, CSRMS | April 29, 2008 at 10:58 AM
This was by far the best story I haqe ever read. Listening for lions to me is the best story Gloria Whelan' have ever written. I love the drama, the adventure, the deception, and the excitement. I never write a comment on a book unless I LOVE the book.
Posted by: Cynthia (Gulfstream Middle School) | September 14, 2008 at 12:06 PM
i hate this book
Posted by: Bianca | May 09, 2009 at 05:14 PM