Ali and the Golden Eagle

Grover, Wayne

3.77

448 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 0688113850 ISBN 13: 9780688113858

Publisher: Greenwillow, 1993

When Wayne captures a baby golden eagle for his friend Ali, a young shepherd from the village of Ezratu, the eagle alters the destiny of Ali and all of Ezratu. By the author of Dolphin Adventure.

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From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-7-- Grover lived in the remote highlands of Saudi Arabia from 1977 to 1979. There he made friends with a young shepherd boy named Ali and through him gained acceptance among isolated villagers who were leading lives untouched by modernity. Because of his mountain-climbing skills, the author was able to capture a baby eagle that he presented to Ali's father. Ali, in turn, trained the eagle using the ancient arts of falconry and ultimately won a contest that changed the life of his village irrevocably. Grover has fashioned these events into a story that both intrigues and disappoints. Nicely paced, filled with vivid descriptions of mountain-climbing, falconry, and Ali's coming-of-age ceremony, the book also tells of the almost mystical bond that grows up between the boy and the golden eagle that he trains. Unfortunately, the story lacks tension and surprise. Ali moves from one triumph to another as if preordained to do so. Also, the first-person narrator is Western and tells Ali's story from "the outside," which lessens much of its dramatic impact. Certain passages tend to jar, such as comments about villagers living "in harmony with the earth's cycles" or mentions of rich Arabs wearing "diamond rings, Rolex watches, and designer sunglasses." Despite its flaws, Ali offers a sympathetic picture of a way of life that most readers know little about. --Ellen D. Warwick, Robbins Junior Library, Arlington, MA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

An American who has lived in Saudi Arabia combines fact and fiction to honor the ancient art of falconry. Wayne, the narrator, rappels down a cliff into the village of Ezratu, where he meets a promising young falconer, Ali. The village--untouched by the oil-won advance of the rest of the country--seems self- reliant and (to Wayne's eye) very nearly a Shangri-La. Into his budding friendship with Ali, he brings a baby eagle (Samson), stolen from its nest, for Ali to train. Samson and the boy go on to win a falconry contest; meanwhile, Prince Faisal is so impressed by Ali's falconry that he brings electricity, roads, and medicine to Ezratu, leaving an open question: despite the well-intentioned, progressive thinking, will this be good or bad for the once-independent village? Though Grover's language is often clumsy and repetitive, his plotting is more than adequate and well supported by the noble Ali and his well-regarded father, jealous older brother Faud, and, of course, good-natured Wayne. The author's attempts as a cultural tour guide are admirable, but the story works best as a far-flung adventure. (Fiction. 11+) -- Copyright �1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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