From School Library Journal
Grade 6-8 A fast-paced adventure story about two former circus children involved in an unusual mission: to save an aging elephant from a slaughterhouse. Interwoven into the adventure is the story of Belle Marriot, a youngster who must come to terms with a large facial scar caused by a careless accident and Charlie, who, having saved her life, feels a deep and uneasy responsibility for the willful Belle. Both children are most realistically portrayed in terms of emotions and character. Their seemingly improbable adventure, that of spiriting an elephant by night to a safari game farm, becomes more believable and suspenseful as the journey progresses. The modern-day aspects of the story are creatively contrasted with the rather romantic setting of Yald Forest. The gang of fugitive drop-outs whom the children meet in the woods are a strongly original and realistic addition to the story that keeps readers from viewing the plot too romantically. Alcock's portrayal of self-sufficient children overcoming disadvantages while living in a world of well meaning but selfish and misguided adults is similar to Cassie Palmer's situation in Alcock's earlier The Haunting of Cassie Palmer (Delacorte, 1982). The author's writing is distinguished by clarity of intent and unusual sensitivity while maintaining unflagging interest in the unfolding story. Karen P. Smith, Yonkers Board of Education, N.Y.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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