《小如大象》

    Jack, from Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, finds himself alone at a campground in Maine. Can he find his way back to Boston before the authorities realize what happened?

    Ever since Jack can remember, his mom has been unpredictable*, sometimes loving and fun, other times caught in a whirlwind* of energy and “spinning” wildly until it’s over. But Jack never thought his mom would take off during the night and leave him at a campground in Acadia National Park, with no way to reach her and barely enough money for food. The 11-year-old has been abandoned* by his mentally ill mother.

    Since Jack was very small, his mother has taught him not to trust adults and to keep their eccentric* lifestyle a secret, or he could be taken away from her. She has isolated him from family and prevented him from establishing close relationships with teachers, classmates or neighbors. This unhealthy upbringing actually helps Jack survive alone as he tries to make his way home. He is self-reliant* and knows how to lie. He is also clever and a quick decision-maker. Being 11, however, he does not think his decisions through very well and gets himself in several sticky* situations.

    The climax is exciting, but the ending is a little preachy*.

    Younger readers will most likely focus on Jack’s love for his mother, his desire to find her and his adventures as he tries to get home. Older readers will share Jack’s anger at his mother and the adults in the story who did not pay careful enough attention to find a desperate* child in need of help. The book is available at jd.com.(SD-Agencies)