A CHAMELEON, A BOY AND A QUEST by J A Myhre
This middle grade reader is also a great “read to me” for ages 6 and up. A somewhat scary quest has our intrepid Boy (Mu) and his not-quite-a-pet Chameleon (Tita), searching for answers to why his relatives treat him so badly. Along the way they meet many Middle African animals (some friendly, some not), delight in the flowers and plants, are captured by enemy soldiers and rescued by a mountain snow storm. Oh yes, and there is a dog met along the way that is vital to the quest.
Mu learns about friendship, sacrifice, loyalty, forgiveness and family as he completes his quest.
There are some (possibly boring and/or difficult to read for kids) sections where the author includes information about her experience as a medical missionary. These are easily skipped over without affecting the continuity or plot of this charming novel.
Inquisitive kids will want to know more about the animals and plants Mu encounters. A trip to a zoo or natural history museum may be a good follow up.
4 ½ stars out of 5 ( )

I loved, loved, loved A Chameleon, A Boy And A Quest by J. A. Myhre! A fascinating look into a different culture, characters that will win your heart, and truth that is artfully related throughout the narrative make this book a must read. Its target audience is children ages 10- 14, but this 50-something with grown kids (and no grands yet) was pulled into the story immediately. So do yourself a favor and get this book and read it along with your kids or grandkids. Just pretend you are doing it for them!

Ten year old Mu is an orphan. His life consists of performing menial tasks for his grandfather’s large clan, jobs usually done by girls. His schooling has been neglected, and he is embarrassed that he has to attend class with babies. Knowing little about who he is or where he came from, Mu never expects to know more, until a small talking chameleon interrupts his morning chores and puts him on an epic quest.

Magical realism is the best way to describe A Chameleon, A Boy And A Quest. Set amid the jungle, savannah and mountains of an unnamed African nation, the novel is full of exotic animals and an electrically charged atmosphere. The characters are real and relatable, even as they include animals who talk and work together to bring Mu to the truth. Good and evil are definitely a part of the book, and God’s truth is woven throughout, but it is a subtle thread that demands that the reader think. Mu’s journey is towards discovering his identity, a place to belong and the love he yearns for. Myrhe wrote this and other stories as Christmas presents for her children as they served on the mission field. I have to admit that the dedication page touched my heart and prepared me for a story like no other. I can’t wait for more from this talented author.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: children ages 10-14 (but adults need to read this too!)

(Thanks to LitFuse for New Growth Press for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

The author states that she wrote this wonderful story for her four children as a Christmas gift, and what a wonderful gift this was. Written from her heart and savored over the Christmas week.
Written so children can understand and enjoy with the talking creatures, they are drawn into this of Good vs. Evil, and how easy and innocently one can be drawn to the evil side.
The chameleon is such a wonderful creature, and who wouldn’t want to have one of their own? Tita as he is called by Mu, our little mistreated orphaned boy, who sure could use this fellow in his young life, and loved how he found him on the poinsettia plant
Since loosing his parents he has been living as a slave for his Uncle’s family, he finds Tita, and is offered a wonderful quest. Things are not always as they appear and things and perceptions changed in the blink of an eye. There is the vicious dog that ends up saving Mu’s life, and in the end he ends up saving his soul.
Once you start this story your children are not going to want you to stop, and your not going to want to either.
I received this book through Litfust Publicity Books Tours and was not required to give a positive review. ( )