BOOK REVIEW: "Chained" by Lynne Kelly

Winner of the Crystal Kite Award for 2013

'Chained' is set in a fictional village in Rajasthan.  The story is about ten-year old Hastin whose sister, Chanda, is seriously ill with malaria.  When home remedies don’t seem to work, Hastin’s mother takes Chanda to the nearest hospital in the city far from their village. 

Chanda can be treated, but it will cost Hastin’s family more than they can afford.  Hastin's father is not alive.  But a kind man named Raju Sharma pays off the money needed for Chanda’s treatment.  However, Hastin’s mother must pay off their dues by working for the man in the city, away from her children!

When Hastin visits his mother in the city, he sees her poor working conditions and decides that he must step up as 'the man of the house'.  He begins looking for work.  But who will hire a young, untrained boy? 

ENTER Timir, a former circus owner looking to restart a circus.  Timir hires Hastin to work for him for a year - a period of time Hastin must work to earn money to repay his family’s debt.  And so Hastin begins his work as an elephant keeper!  

His first task is to catch a wild elephant in the jungle.  As much as he dislikes the idea of his task, he must do whatever his master says.  Every day he keeps watch on a troop of elephants that come to the jungle river, wishing that none of them ever fall into the nasty pit dug up by Timir's men.  But alas, one day, it happens!  And the one to fall in the pit is none other than the baby elephant he calls Nandita!

Hastin and Nandita develop a special bond over time.  Hastin sees himself in her for they are both separated from their families! 

One day, Hastin learns that the elephant trainer, Sharad has been mistreating Nandita to force her to do certain tricks.  To add to it, Timir makes her to perform more shows that eventually lead to Nandita's exhaustion and she collapses!  Kind old Ne Min, Timir’s cook, advises Hastin about taking care of Nandita when she is injured and unwell.

Hastin is miserable.  He feels responsible for Nandita's enslavement and often thinks of running away and freeing Nandita as well.

Timir is unsatisfied and angry about Nandita’s condition and blames Hastin for it.  He declares that Hastin must serve him for more than a year as penalty.

Do things ever get better for Hastin and Nandita?  Will they ever regain their freedom?   To find out, you'll have to read the book.

The story moves slowly, but becomes fast-paced after the first few chapters.  

I particularly liked the part where Hastin watches the elephants enjoying themselves in the river.  The scene where Nandita gets trapped and Hastin’s reaction to it is particularly touching!  I also liked how the author builds the suspense on the past lives of Ne Min and Sharad, making me curious to read further.

I didn't find the climax very convincing, but liked how the story ended.

Overall, I think this book is a great read for ages 10+.