Jenny and the General
Author: Jean D'Costa
Reviewer: Barbara Nelson
Publisher: Carlong Publishers
IF YOU'RE thinking of what gift to buy for that little girl's or boy's birthday, think no further. Silver Musgrave medal winner Jean D'Costa has produced yet another entertaining story for children in the age range eight to 10 years. Her book, Jenny and the General, adds another title to the Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series developed by Carlong Publishers (Caribbean) Ltd.
The Sand Pebbles Pleasure Series aims to provide children with entertaining reading material featuring Caribbean situations. The series focuses on fiction and biographies, and includes collections of short stories, chapter books and novels.
D'COSTA'S NOVELS FAMILIAR
Jean D'Costa's novels Sprat Morrison, Escape to Last Man Peak and Voice in the Wind are familiar to Jamaican children.
Jenny and the General is a delightful and absorbing story about love, loyalty, fear, frustration and success. It involves a big black and gold Alsatian dog called Monty and his best friend Jenny Ellis who attends Nelson Town Primary School.
D'Costa writes beautifully and clearly. Her word pictures are sharp and nicely defined. The illustrations are very good. This book is in memory of Mrs. K. H. Bourne, Girl Guide leader who, D'Costa says "taught us to love animals".
In this story the action begins at Mason Road in Kingston (where nine-year-old Jenny lives with her parents) moves towards Waltham Park Road past the old Chinese cemetery down to Four Roads and the bulldozed lands down by the sea, then moves back up to Mason Road.
THE HERO
Monty is the 'hero' in this story. He uses his uncanny sense of smell to track down Jenny when she does not return from school on time. This is because "No human being would have been able to notice that smell or know what it meant. Human senses miss a lot. Other dogs would understand, naturally, and cats too. Horses would not like that smell. It would make a donkey stop dead in the road. It would make a mule turn around and go home. It was the smell of Jenny being horribly afraid."
"Her fear came on the wind like an invisible blade, so sharp you can't see it."
Later in the book Monty "smelled Alice (McFarlane's) mad thoughts....."
Then the brave Alsatian guides Jenny safely home.
Children will love this delightful and heart-warming story. I enjoyed Jenny and the General.
