Elephant+Run



Smith, R. (2007). //Elephant run//. (1 ed.). New York: Hyperion Books for Children. DOI: www.hyperionbooksforshildren.com

**Summary:**

Elephant Run, by Roland Smith, is the story of a 14 year old boy named Jack set in the early years of WWII. Much of the action in the novel takes place in Burma. The story begins during the German blitz of London where the boy is living with his mother, an American diplomat. Jack's mother sends him to be with his father on the family's teak plantation in Burma to escape the blitz. Meanwhile, the Japanese invade Burma, seize the plantation and many hardships ensue. Jack's father is sent to a POW camp, Jack is forced to serve his new rulers, and eventually escapes. It is a fast paced story which includes many details of life in Burma and the far-reaching effects of WWII. This novel is suggested for students in grades 5-8.

**Critique:**

This fast paced novel introduces students to many details of life in Burma such as daily life, foods, and clothing, to politics, religion and to the life on a teak plantation where elephants are used for labor. Adolescents might relate to the complex family situation of the young protagonist who's parents are divorced. There is considerable action and close calls both in the city and the jungle that will keep young readers interested. Readers are exposed to many of the animals of the Burmese jungle and facts about the lifestyles and habits of these animals as well as their relationship with man. Readers are presented with detailed information regarding the geography of Burma and it's neighbors as well as many facts concerning the various theaters of the WWII conflict. The characters are multifaceted and complex and their motivations and actions have many implications on the effect of culture, colonization, warfare and power. Young adolescents are also shown how much Nick relies on reading and learning even at the risk of punishment.


 * Possible Uses across subjects:**


 * __Science__-**

Research one of the many forest animals described in the novel:( elephants, pangolin, sun bears, gaur, civet, muntjac, sambhur deer, leopards, tigers, macaque etc.) Habitat/ Habits/ Diet/ Conservation Status/ Relationship with Man.

The work done by the elephants in the story could be used to exemplify simple machines like a pulley, lever, axle and wheel. Etc. Jack adds a length of pipe to a wrench to gain more leverage when escaping. He also uses oil to lubricate the bolts to counteract friction.

Research some of the tropical medicines/diseases discussed: Malaria, Beriberi (discuss why diseases not prevalent in US)


 * __Social Studies__-**

Geography work with the various places in the novel (Burma, England, Japan, India: Bay of Bengal, Calcutta) and the places in which action of WWII described in the novel take place. Can be further expanded to include all of the theaters of WWII throughout the war.

Research the history of mahouts( Burmese elephant tamers/workers) and Burmese tools for working with elephants: choon-stick, ohndune, etc.

Research Buddhism as practiced in Burma and Japan/ (compare, contrast) research natshin in regards to Buddhism Study the food of Burma ( make some?).

Research the role of embassies and diplomatic staff like Nick's mother.

Reasearch military ranks discussed in the story: Nick's grandfather the Sergeant Major, Colonel Nagayoshi, Sergeant Sonji, Major Riku, Captain Moto. Students could complete the list of ranks and the relationship between them.

Research cultural practices such as Japanese bowing/ Burmese ideas about division of labor according to gender


 * __Math__**

Weights of elephants changed between pounds and kilograms and tons compared to weights of humans/ How many humans weigh as much as an elephant?

Distance between Burma/ India/ USA/ Japan/ England/ etc. in km's and miles. Also work with square miles/km's in each country.

How many elephants could survive on island if each needed **kg of food a day and there were**  trees on the island

The elephant Pretty baby is 40% of the weight of the elephant Hannibal. Students can do many calculations regarding this. If they both must eat 30% of their body weight each day how long could each survive on a given amount of food etc.

Airfield in the story is 300x100 yards/ Work with area. Different planes need different distances to land. Decide which planes could use airstrip.


 * __Language Arts-__**

Explore themes of character development, suspense-resolution, setting etc. found in the novel.

Write Haikus like Sgt.Sonji and Nick.

Write about what might happen if you were in prison like Nick's father.

Discuss concepts of bravery and cowardice and when the lines between them become cloudy.

Discuss various philisophical implications of: war, hunting tigers, using animals as labor etc.


 * __Art__**-

Research the traditional Burmese/ Japaneses items such as the longyi (traditional Burmese clothing), and choon (traditional Burmese elephant taming stick) / or Japanese samurai swords. Students can imagine and draw, paint etc. their own versions of these items or create new, even modern items in a traditional Burmese/ Japanese style.

Research and re-create Japanese gardens

Research and re-create uniforms of British, American, Japanese, Burmese soldiers

__**Music**-__

Research and listen to the traditional and or modern music of Burma, Japan, India. Research and listen to WWII era music of England and America.