Small As an Elephant

Gr 5—8—Jack wakes up in a campground of Acadia National Park on the first morning of a long anticipated summer vacation to find that his mother and the rental car are gone. He reacts with fear, hurt, and anger, but also acceptance. This isn't the first time Jack has been left alone, and his mom is not like other moms. Jack blames himself for her leaving, and sets out to find her. As he works his way down the coast of Maine, Jack struggles to elude the Department of Social Services, afraid that they might separate him and his mother permanently. Throughout the story (Candlewick, 2011), Jennifer Richard Jacobson portions out hope like the few cereal bars Jack has to make last, then snatches it away time after time, leaving listeners feeling as empty and aching as Jack's hungry stomach. Jack's passion for elephants, and the hope that he might see Lydia, the only elephant in Maine, sustains him throughout his journey. Narrator William Dufris takes Jacobson's lush, textural vocabulary to another level, creating distinct and believable characters that add to the emotion and intensity of the story. A compelling and sensitive portrayal of life with a parent who suffers from mental illness.—Lisa Hubler, Memorial Junior High School, South Euclid, OH