This spare, well-written story of abandonment will hook the reader on the first page and never let go. Jack is an 11-year old boy who lives outside of Boston with his mom. The story begins as Jack wakes up after a night of camping in Acadia National Park. Jack is dismayed to discover that his mother, her tent and the car are all gone. As Jack begins searching for her, the author slowly reveals that Jack's mother suffers from mental illness, and that she has abandoned Jack in the past. Jack knows that if he enlists the help of adults, he may be taken from his mom, so his goal is to find her or make his way home alone. Despite his efforts, Jack comes across some interesting characters, some helpful, some not, as he makes his journey.
You or your reader will love Jack's resourcefulness as he figures out how to eat, sleep and travel without being discovered by social services. Jack has always loved elephants, and the recurring theme about the gentle giants is sweet and interesting. Recommendations for readers who fall in love with this suspenseful, yet touching story would be The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwieler by E.L. Konigsburg.
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