U pustinji i prašumi

In the Desert and in the Jungle (1911) is the most famous Polish children's and adventure novel, although it is also read with pleasure by adults. The work was written as a gift from Sienkiewicz to his grandchildren and quickly became a classic of world literature for young people.

The action takes place in the 1880s in Egypt and Sudan during the Mahdist rebellion against Egyptian-British rule. Fourteen-year-old Staś Tarkowski, the son of a Polish engineer, and eight-year-old Nel Rawlison, the daughter of an English administrator, are kidnapped by the Mahdists. The children manage to escape from slavery and embark on an epic journey home through the dangerous African wilderness.

They are accompanied by their faithful dog Saba, a black boy Kali (who joins them), and later by other characters. The journey takes them across the scorching Sahara, swamps, jungles and rivers. They encounter lions, elephants, crocodiles, hunger, thirst, disease and a warrior tribe. Staś shows extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and knowledge, while little Nel conquers everyone with her kindness and courage.

The style is lively, dynamic and full of exotic descriptions of African nature. Although Sienkiewicz had never been to Africa, he extremely convincingly depicted the landscapes, animals and the state of the continent at that time using numerous travel and scientific works.

In the Desert and in the Jungle has undergone numerous translations and film adaptations (the most famous are the Polish versions from 1973 and 2001). The book has been an entrance to the world of adventure and courage for generations of Polish children.