The Tiger and the Crane

The themes of Jungle Book and Tarzan meld together in this illustrated youth novel by high school teacher Trevor B. Spisto.

Set in the 19th century, as China's Qing Dynasty grapples with the tides of imperialism, a southwestern forest turns into a hunting ground between native animals and foreign hunters. Mung, a humble crane, adopts an orphaned tiger cub to raise as the village defender. This bold decision divides his community, sparking fear and straining relationships. To succeed, Mung is forced to secretly conceal the tiger cub's true identity from the cub himself. The animal village must contend with its decisions as they challenge the very concepts of identity, leadership, and community amidst their ongoing struggles. From teacher and author Trevor B. Spisto comes a charming and lively novel about the challenges and growth that arise from confronting threats and change.