From Mrs. Speer's Class

The novel Small as an Elephant,by Jennifer Richard Jacobson, is about a middle school aged boy who has been exposed to much more in his life than a normal kid should be.

On the first full day of his camping vacation, Jack wakes up to discover his mother has taken the car and the other tent and left him all alone at their campsite.

Throughout the course of the book, Jack reveals through many accounts of his past that this isn't the first time he has been forced to fend for himself. His mother has a history of “spinning times” when she is on some kind of drug. Jack spends a few days searching for his mother around the campground and in the city of Bar Harbor, until he decides to make his way home to Boston. His biggest fear is being taken by social services and away from his mother.

Jack faces many trials and tribulations on his way through Maine, and soon discovers that his grandmother has set up a massive manhunt for him in the entire state. Jack is forced to sleep in various locations from a barn loft to a department store. The reader is presented the question, “does Jack’s mom really deserve his loyalty?”

I would recommend this book to any age group. The theme is very powerful and unlike anything I have ever read. The narrator’s point of view was particularly interesting because the reader learns along with Jack who he is able to truly trust. I found myself frustrated by his decisions, but overall, the trials faced by this young boy are very inspiring and reinforce the belief that anything is possible. 

-Kaitlyn Broz 

Between Shades of Gray is about a fourteen year old girl, named Lina, who was taken by the NKVD soldiers. Her mother and brother, Jonas, were taken as well, but her father was at work at the time of their arrest. Lina, her mother and Jonas traveled for many miles in a disgusting train car. After many days of struggling, they arrived at a farm camp in Altai, while their father was taken to a different camp. During the time they were there, they were put to work and were punished every time they didn’t sign paperwork that stated they were criminals. Lina drew pictures and wrote stories hoping that they would one day reach her father. Her friend, Andrius, whom she met on the train, helped her to stay alive by feeding and caring for her and her family. After many days at the camp, select families were taken away. Lina’s family was on the list, but Andrius’ was not. Lina’s final destination was Trofimorsk where she and her family struggled to survive the winter storm. They never gave up, and Lina had faith that she would see Andrius and her father again someday.

The characters in this story were a very important aspect. Lina, the main character, is very likeable. Even when she had nothing, she was always trying to help others. This sent a great message to me. The tension between Andrius and Lina is suspenseful. I wanted them to have a relationship so badly, and the whole time I wanted to know what was going to happen between them. Each character lies at some point in the story. This effected Lina in several different ways. Her mother doesn’t tell Lina why they were even taken away; she has to hear it through a soldier. Andrius doesn’t tell her what is happening to his family, and this pulls them apart.

Overall, this book was great and everyone should read it. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I sat by the fireplace all day on a Saturday and read the whole book in one sitting. It was a wonderful way to relax.