A review by mb101
Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

5.0

I didn't expect this to be so heart and gut wrenching. Jack, a sweet, intelligent, elephant obsessed boy is abandoned by his mother in the woods. But he doesn't blame her! No, instead he sets out looking for her, and acts as her protector, even as readers quickly realize that his mother was horribly neglectful and not fit for his love. I found myself rooting for Jack at every turn, even when his mission shifts from finding his mother to finding an elephant. Though this thoughtful middle-grade novel won't appeal to everyone- especially parents who may not like their children to see Jack's mistakes as a grand adventure instead of a journey that could have gone horribly wrong- it's a great read for young and old.