The Lost Kingdom

Rodmika is an Indian boy who explores the Green Jungle with his brother Dobarra. They find a palace in the jungle on his way to find a pathway back to his schooling.

-Adin, age 13

Lovely story about perseverance, family and hunger for knowledge! Rodmika is adapted to the jungle and one with nature out there. He respects the beauty of nature and he is brave and knows how to survive. There are great adventures and suspense in this book with a happy ending.

It started out a little slow but I was soon absorbed in the Indian jungle wanting to know what Rodmika would discover next. Rodmika is 13 but brave and well versed in how to survive alone in his jungle surroundings, he feels drawn to the jungle and spends a lot of time there. He knows the animals that live there, which are dangerous and which can be friendly if approached correctly. He knows how to build shelter and find food.

He has a particular tattoo on his chest that he shares with his father and his wise teacher implies the answer to what the tattoo means is in the jungle. As his teacher Vallabiah says, “The whole world is your schoolroom. Knowledge is found in everything. My duty is to act as a guide and point the facts out to you until your own eyes can see them.” Rodmika goes in search of a lost stone highway deep in the jungle and finds adventure, answers about his history and tattoo, a new friend, and knowledge to help neighboring villages.

I liked Rodmika’s family and how supportive of him they were. I also liked his interactions with his younger brother. It was an interesting story that brought the setting to life. Rodmika illustrates throughout the story the benefits of his education. His teacher has taught him to ask why, this helps him many times in the jungle when things happen and by looking for the why he gains new knowledge and offsets fear.

This is a great book full of adventure and even education! Worth the read.

This book offers so much more than the description states. My children and I learned about history, the jungle, animal behaviour, family relationships and the importance of an education that encompass both book learning and real-world learning. My children loved the action this book offered as well. I would definitely say this is a must read!