Jaspa's Journey: The Great Migration

GENRE
ADVENTURE FAMILY FANTASY YOUNG ADULT CHILDREN'S
Core Theme
ACCEPTANCE, TOLERANCE, GROWING UP
TIME PERIOD
Contemporary
COMPARABLE TITLES
BROTHER BEAR, THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY
CHARACTER LIST
• JASPA: GIRAFFESES, BRAVE, COMPASSIONATE
• BISCKITS: GIRAFFESES, DETERMINED, JASPA’S BROTHER
• PORTIA: GIRAFFESES, CARING, DEPENDABLE, JASPA’S COUSIN
• GRAVEE: DOGSES, WISE, LOST IN AFRICA, JASPA’S FRIEND
• BEN: HUMAN, LOYAL, GRAVEE’S FRIEND FROM SCOTLAND
• NGORIKA: VULTURESES, PATIENT, HONORABLE, JASPA’S FRIEND
Logline
A tiny, distant relative of the giraffe, must survive a 500-mile, life-or-death adventure alongside the two-million-strong migrating herds on Africa’s Serengeti Plains, to fulfil a rite-of-passage known as 'The Journey'.
Target Audiences
Age: 7-12,35-54,55+,18-34,13-17
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Serengeti Plains, Africa
Based on a True Story
No
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: with a Publisher
Publisher: Speaking Volumes, LLC
Year Published: 2009
Starting Description
Jaspa prepares excitedly for the challenges of his imminent Journey. Meanwhile, Ben McRae from Scotland, on safari in the Serengeti with his family, is struggling with the recent disappearance of his best friend, Gravee.
Ending Description
After a close shave with a crocodile, Jaspa and friends recover around their campfire. Out of the dark stumbles Gravee, who’s been months alone in the wild. On the backs of vultures, they help Gravee reach Kilimanjaro airport. At the last moment Jaspa boards the plane with him back to Scotland...
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
Yes
ISBN
978-1-62815-313-2
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message
Plot - Premise
Quest
Main Character Details
Name: Jaspa
Age: Approaching adulthood
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Empathetic,Faithful,Modest,Selfless,Secretive,Strong Moral Code,Honorable
Additional Character Details
Name: Bisckits
Age: Approaching adulthood
Gender: Male
Role: Sidekick
Key Traits: Adventurous,Clumsy,Confident,Engaging,Outspoken,Funny,Honorable,Naive,Charming
Additional Character Details
Name: Portia
Age: Approaching adulthood
Gender: Female
Role: mentor
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Honorable,Leader,Strong Moral Code,Romantic,Selfless,Modest
Additional Character Details
Name: Gravee
Age: Young adult
Gender: Male
Role: protagonist
Key Traits: Blunt,Funny,Sarcastic,Complex,Charming,Confident,Engaging,Faithful,Outspoken,Unapologetic,Honorable
Development Pitch
Brief
When a tiny relative of the giraffe on a rite of passage adventure must survive a 500 mile life or death adventure across the Serengeti Plains alongside the thundering herds, he stretches his resolve to help a friend.
What We Liked
- The rite of passage premise featuring a tiny fictional animals on the mighty Serengeti is a terrific concept;
- The story has potential to be adapted in a beautiful feature film. The astonishing setting of the Serengeti and awe-inspiring migration of the wonderful creatures inhabiting it creates the kind of sweeping climatic story that lends itself quite easily to the big screen. The charming animal characters are surely bound to find their way into the hearts of children everywhere;
- A series could be built upon the exploration of exotic locales as well as the fantastical journeys of Jaspa, the Giraffeses;
- Key points: Lovely premise; Charming characters; Family friendly; Empowerment of young people; Exotic setting.
Synopsis
Jaspa is a Giraffeses, a teeny, tiny distant relative of the giraffe that are invisible to humans. He and his brother Bisckits set out to fulfill a rite-of-passage known as the Journey. They must join the Great Migration on Africa's Serengeti Plain, accompanying the two million animals that are forced yearly to embark on this desperate, dangerous, 500 mile struggle for survival.
Along the way, Jaspa is spotted by a young boy named Ben. He is from Scotland and on safari with his family. However, he is sad because he has lost his best friend, Gravee, who happens to be a Dogses, a tiny distant relative of the dog.
Ben is a Seer, a human who is able to see Ses. Jaspa is astonished because he thought Seers were only for legends.
During a river crossing, Jaspa and Bisckits are nearly killed. They are saved by a Ngorika, a Vultureses and Nippee, a Crocodileses, respectively. While they are recovering from their ordeal, Gravee wanders into their camp. When Jaspa hears his story, he realizes that Ben is the friend Gravee is desperately missing.
The animals band together to help. They fly on the backs of vultures to get Gravee to the airport so he can be reunited with Ben back in Scotland. Jaspa and his pals accompany Gravee to the UK where he is happily reunited with Ben.