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Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobson
Small as an Elephant
by Jennifer Jacobson
Publisher: Candlewick Press, March 2011
Awards and Recognitions:
Parents’ Choice Gold Fiction Award (http://www.parents-choice.org/product.cfm?product_id=29593&StepNum=1&award=aw)
2012 Maine Lupine Award (http://www.prmaine.com/2012/04/children%E2%80%99s-book-small-as-an-elephant-wins-2012-maine-lupine-juvenileyouth-award/)
2012 IRA Young Adult Choices Reading List (http://www.reading.org/Libraries/Awards/YoungAdultsChoices2012_web.pdf)
2012-2013 Maine Student Book Award Nominee (http://efolio.umeedu.maine.edu/~masl/msba/newlist.html)
2012-2013 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee (http://www.dcfaward.org/)
Spring 2011 Kid’s Indie Next List (http://news.bookweb.org/news/spring-2011-kids%E2%80%99-indie-next-list-preview)
From the publisher: 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. Any other kid would report his mom gone, but Jack knows by now that he needs to figure things out for himself – starting with how to get from the backwoods of Maine to his home in Boston before DSS catches on. With nothing but a small toy elephant to keep him company, Jack begins the long journey south, a journey that will test his wits and his loyalties – and his trust that he may be part of a larger herd after all.
A fear of abandonment is one we have all experienced at some point in our lives. I’m sure we all have a story of the time we got separated from mom in the store, or dad forgot to pick us up after baseball practice. Being left or forgotten is a common childhood fear that middle grade readers can identify with rather quickly. But what if that “fear” became your reality? In Small as an Elephant Maine author Jennifer Jacobson tackles this real fear in a story that is filled with adventure and survival, not in the wilderness, but rather right in middle of the busy tourist area of down east Maine. As Jack makes difficult decisions and deals with the emotions of having a mom who’s unreliable, Jacobson intentionally puts the reader inside Jack’s head, which helps the reader understand why Jack makes certain decisions even if they aren’t what most kids would do. Written in a way that hooks readers from page one, Jack’s story is both riveting and touching, the characters are interesting and realistic, and the pace fast moving.
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I had the opportunity to talk with Jennifer about Small as an Elephant in more depth when she visited our school as our Author in Residence this year. Which, as a side note, if you ever have the opportunity to bring an author to your school, do it! It’s a powerful experience that really strengthens a reading community!
Jack’s story is one that hit close to home for several of my students. One in particular shared at the end of our reading it aloud “You know, this is first time I’ve ever seen myself in a book.” How did you come up with the idea of Jack’s story?
Ten years ago I was at a writer’s conference and the instructor (Virginia Euwer Wolff of Make Lemonade fame) suggested, as an exercise, that we try writing an irresistible beginning. I had a rush of an idea: What if a boy on a camping trip crawled out of his pup tent and discovered that his family (I did not yet know who he was camping with) and the camping equipment were gone? I shared this beginning with the other writers, received an enthusiastic response, and then let it go. Or tried to let it go. But it wouldn’t let go of me. Who was the boy? Why was he abandoned? I had to write the book.
As my class was sharing this story, we kept coming back to the question of why you made the choice to have Jack be so enamored with elephants?
For years I had a brief story about a story tacked on my bulletin board. You might remember the story (mentioned in Small) that Pliny the elder told. He had observed that an elephant, beaten for her inability to perform a trick, went missing. She was found later that night, back in the arena, practicing. As a writer, I related to the elephant’s need to try until she got things right. I also think that my character, Jack ,is a lot like the elephant in the story. But perhaps most importantly, I chose elephants (as opposed to other animals or obsessions) because they are so maternal. Even when at risk, a female elephant will not leave her young.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
While writing the first draft, I used Google maps to determine how far Jack could get in a day and, with satellite, exactly what he would see along each road. I also read a good deal about bipolar disorder and elephants. I visited York Wild Kingdom, met Lydia the elephant, and talked to her trainers.
The Maine setting is so important to the plot and you’ve describe it so well. Have you visited all of the places Jack visits?
Yes! After completing a first draft, I went back with my camera and notebook and recorded details in each stopping point on Jack’s journey. I wanted to stay true to the actual locations, so this required revision (I had to remove a swimming scene for example, because the rocky beach was too rough for swimming), and it also gave me ideas for new scenes (there really is a vault in the center of Left Bank Books!).
But perhaps most importantly, this journey transformed my writing. I used to believe that it was the strength of a writer’s imagination that made a story come alive. I now understand that observation is an equally powerful and perhaps even necessary tool. Currently I carry a notebook with me, recording interesting details as I go about my daily life…
What is the strongest message you hope readers take away from reading Small as an Elephant?
I never write with a message in mind, but now that the book is written, I hope readers come away with a reminder that the world (and especially relationships) are not black and white. A person can be wonderful in a myriad of ways and yet, under certain circumstances, do something deeply regrettable. I also hope that children who are dealing with difficult issues realize that, like Jack, they are not alone.
How did you first become interested in writing children’s books?
I was training to be a teacher, taking a children’s literature course, when I fell back in love with books for children. It was then that I decided I wanted to write them. When I was teaching, I wrote with my students during Writer’s Workshop. I’d share my writing, and revise according to my students’ feedback.
I’ve heard many authors say that to be a great writer you have to be a reader. Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not?
Absolutely! The more you read, the more your understanding of story structure (or expository writing) grows. Your vocabulary and sentence fluency grows. Eventually you begin to read like a writer asking yourself: How did the author do that? How did the author create suspense, or use symbolism, or make me cry?
How or when did you become a member of the Nerdy Book Club?
I have always been a reader, but when I was around eight years old, I found a book of short stories for children in our attic. After each story was a list of comprehension questions. I spent an entire Saturday reading the stories and then answering the questions in this little hardcover book. I suppose one doesn’t get much nerdier than that!
Small as an Elephant makes a fantastic read aloud as it has so many wonderful discussion points. If you working with students, you can also visit Jennifer’s website where students are encouraged to imagine what Jack would have done if he had passed through their town, and to write their own Jack adventures. All stories are published on the site. There’s also a map, and if kids click on the icons, they can see the actual Maine locations in from the book and learn more facts about each location.
As a fellow Mainer, I couldn’t be more proud of the story Jennifer has written. She truly captured not only the beautiful Maine setting of the Bar Harbor area, but more importantly the sense of “community” that is Maine where the idea of “paying it forward” is just the way life is. In that spirit, I’m thrilled to be giving away a signed, hardcover copy of Jennifer’s book to one of my fellow Nerdy Book Club members.
Susan Dee is a life-long member of the Nerdy Book Club (though she didn’t know it was nerdy for a long time) who has taught pre-k through 5th on the coast of Southern Maine for a l-o-n-g time! An avid reader and recommender, devoted to inspiring life-long reading habits, Susan is also a member of the Maine Student Book Award committee. You can follow her on Twitter (@literacydocent) or visit her blog at www.thebookmavenshaven.blogspot.com
In addition to being a proud member of the Nerdy Book Club, Jennifer Jacobson is a former elementary school teacher and award winning author of several books including STAINED, SMALL AS AN ELEPHANT, middle grade series WINNIE AT HER BEST, and the early reader series ANDY SHANE. She has also written a book for teachers titled NO MORE, “I’m Done!”: FOSTERING INDEPENDENT WRITERS IN THE PRIMARY GRADES, published by Stenhouse Publishers. You can learn more about Jennifer at her website: http://jenniferjacobson.com/
I read Small as an Elephant a couple of weeks ago and loved it. There were so many wonderful messages (even if they were unintended)…the interconnectedness of the web of people who looked after Jack and helped him along the way; the fact that yes, his mom did something terrible in leaving him, but the reader comes to realize that she is a good mother when her illness is under control and yes, people are complicated; and finally, Jack’s determination and perseverance. I can’t wait to give this book to kids when school starts in August.
I agree Julie! What I really loved is how Jennifer included all of these messages without sounding “preachy” or condescending. I think that makes Jack’s story even more powerful. Thanks for commenting!
Wow. Another book for the TBR pile. The initial description reminds me of Flake’s BANG… But then, not really. I love hearing authors’ reasons and motivations for writing and how little details make their way into a book. Thanks for sharing.
And I also love that just by reading that it took place in Maine and received Maine awards, I knew this post was being written by my pal, the @literacydocent.
Thanks for reading and commenting David! I know you’ll enjoy Jack’s story!
I am ordering this book this MINUTE! Thanks for highlighting it!
You will not be disappointed with your purchase Maureen! Enjoy!
Thanks for the insights from the author, Susan. I talked about this book with my sixth graders last year before I had my own classroom copy…oops! One of my students then gave me a copy for Christmas. She waited only until she was thanked before checking it out to read for herself! Great book!
Too funny! 🙂
Deb,
Thats so funny! As usually happens after a classroom aloud in my room, Small as an Elephant never collected dust on my book shelves as it was always being re-read by someone! Glad you enjoyed and shared Jack story’s with you students!
I love hearing the insights of a book from the author! You learn so much more about the story, the ideas and what the author was really thinking! Thank you for sharing! It is a great book!
It really was fun to have the opportunity to talk with Jennifer about the story. So many really interesting behind the scenes details!
I loved this book as well. Not only for its emotionally touching content, but for the geography and description of real places in Maine. Jennifer has a map on her website that kids can go to and take Jack’s virtual walk from Acadia to York, Maine. http://jenniferjacobson.com/small-as-an-elephant-activity-page/maine-map/ One of my favorite, most tender moments in the book: “Eventually Jack let the crab go, and without saying a word, he and Aiden leapt from one slippery rock to the next toward the water, while Aiden’s sister wandered back toward her parents. They dipped their feet into the freezing cold sea until Aiden’s parents called them away from the dangerous surf, and then they whipped seaweed at one another’s legs instead. Jack imagined his mother standing on the shore watching, smiling at their foolishness.” What beautiful imagery!!!!
Have not read this yet but it is on the summer reading list
I hope you’ll enjoy as much as my class and I did! Happy Reading!
Susan,
I read this book this summer, and I couldn’t put it down. Jennifer Jacobson is an amazing writer, and you are an amazing teacher!
You’ve inspired me to do more to bring authors to my students.
Thanks for a very informative post.
Making connections between students and authors is such a powerful experience for everyone involved as you well know Cynthia. Can’t you still picture your students’ faces when they “met” Katherine Applegate? I’m so glad to know I’ve given you some additional inspiration.
Thanks for reading and responding my friend!
I am reading Small as an Elephant right now. It is really good…I’m making so many connections having camped in the same campground. When I read the synopsis on the MSBA website I got a chill. The story is credible and unique. As an “adoptive” parent of a child who’s mother struggles with bipolar disorder, I can understand Jack’s thinking and survivor instincts. I’m rooting for him! Off to read more! Thanks for being a Nerdy Girl, Susan!
I have not got a chance to read this book. Reading your post I can relate. I always was in fear of being left behind. Being the middle child my family called that fear middle child syndrome. Doing so many sports I have been left at school for a few hours.
When my family went to stores my sibling and I would hide in the clothes rack. Freaking mom out and ourselves when we could not find each other. No one ever wants to fill left behind. The thing is everyone will have a moment of feeling alone. There is just no way to prevent it.
This book sounds amazing. I’m trying to find it now so I can read it. Thanks to your post I might have found the next best book. Hope no one ever feels alone. An hopes everyone sees your post and hopefully I can find this book to read.