Elephant Run

Elephant Run, by Roland Smith is a very interesting story about a boy named Nicolas Freestone. As a young child, Nick lived on his father's family teak plantation in Burma. His mother however didn't enjoy it that much, and eventually, she moved to the US. Nick's parents divorced and then Nick, his mother, and step-father Bernard moved to London. The book takes place during World War II, and his family never got affected by the war, until November 30, when their apartment was bombed. His mother and father both felt that he would be safer in Burma, and sent him away.

In Burma, Nick gets used to life at the plantation, being with elephants, and so on, until the Japanese arrive, and his father, Jackson, is taken away from the Japanese. Nick, along with Maya, the daughter of the singoung at the plantation; and Taung Baw(translates to "hilltop") an old mahout and Buddhist monk, have to escape the Japanese; and find a way to free Nick's dad and Indaw (Mya's elder brother).

This was a very interesting book, and not predictable at all. Part of their escape includes finding secret underground passages within the Freestone family's house, which also makes the book interesting. A large part of the book takes place on an elephant, giving the book it's name. This book is also a great way to learn about elephants, Burma, plantations; and a little bit about World War II in Southeastern Asia.

I rate this book 8 out of 10.