Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson is about a boy named Jack who suddenly ends up on his own during a camping trip in Maine. With no adults to help him, he has to figure out how to survive and keep moving forward with only what he has in his backpack. The story shows how resourceful and determined he is, even though he’s scared and unsure of what will happen next. Along the way, he faces different challenges that test his independence and his ability to trust others. It’s an adventure that’s also emotional, making you root for Jack as he tries to find his way.
I would recommend Small as an Elephant. The book does a great job of pulling you into Jack’s world and making you wonder what you would do in his situation. I liked how realistic his struggles felt, because he wasn’t some superhero kid. He made mistakes and had to learn as he went along. The pacing kept me interested because every chapter added something new to his journey. What I liked most was how the story balanced adventure with deeper themes like independence and trust, which made it more meaningful than just a survival story. The only thing I didn’t love was that it could feel a little sad at times, but that also made it more powerful. It’s a book that’s both exciting and emotional, and I think a lot of readers would connect with it.
-Anonymous
