3rd out of 20 books
—
7 voters
Elephant Run
by
Roland Smith
In 1941, bombs drop from the night skies of London, demolishing the apartment Nick Freestone lives in with his mother. Deciding the situation in England is too unstable, Nick's mother sends him to live with his father in Burma, hoping he will be safer living on the family's teak plantation.
But as soon as Nick arrives, trouble erupts in this remote Burmese elephant village...more
But as soon as Nick arrives, trouble erupts in this remote Burmese elephant village...more
Hardcover, 318 pages
Published
September 25th 2007
by Disney-Hyperion
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It's 1941 and World War II is literally at Nick's doorstep in London. In an effort to keep Nick safe, his mother sends him to live with his father on a teak plantation in Burma. Unfortunately, the Japanese army arrives just after Nick does, literally making him a prisoner in his own home. After ten brutal months, Nick decides it's time for an escape and to try to rescue his father, who is being held at a POW camp.
This is such a different look at WWII. I am so used to just reading about the war f...more
This is such a different look at WWII. I am so used to just reading about the war f...more
To protect him from the bombing in London, fourteen year-old Nick is sent to live on his father's plantation in Burma a few days before the Japanese invade during World War II. As an adult reader, I enjoyed viewing WWII from the Japanese/Burmese angle and I thought this was the best crafted of the four Roland Smith novels I've read, but I'm not sure whether many of my sixth-grade students will enjoy this book. The plot is fairly complicated and dark. All in all, I probably will continue to recom...more
I wasn't expecting a deep historical fiction novel from Roland Smith, but I really liked this story. I enjoyed learning about a part of WWII that I had no knowledge of, I loved being introduced to the concepts of Buddhism and the vows of priesthood, I found the information about training wild elephants to be workers fascinating, and I thought the description of the Burman jungle was frightening.
As with all of Smith's books, the main characters are resourceful and intelligent. I really liked Rick...more
As with all of Smith's books, the main characters are resourceful and intelligent. I really liked Rick...more
Apr 03, 2008
Tuckerm
added it
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is a book that draws the reader in page by page. It is the story of Nick Freestone and his father, a teak plantation owner in Burma (Myanmar). Set against the backdrop of World War II, Nick is sent by his mother and stepfather to his father's plantation when the bombing in London comes a little too close to home. The plantation harvests timber using elephants. Hannibal is the largest and most unruly of the elephants. Mya, is a young Burmese girl whose family has a long and storied tradition...more
Title: Elephant run
Author: Roland Smith
Summary: In 1941, during WW2, bombs drop on the city of London during the night, which destroys the apartment/home that Nick Freestone and his mother live in. Deciding that letting Nick stay in London is a bad idea, Nick's mom sends him to live with his father on a teak plantation in Burma, hoping her son will be safer there. But as soon as Nick arrives trouble erupts in the remote Burmese village when japanese soldiers invade. Will the japanese soldiers t...more
Author: Roland Smith
Summary: In 1941, during WW2, bombs drop on the city of London during the night, which destroys the apartment/home that Nick Freestone and his mother live in. Deciding that letting Nick stay in London is a bad idea, Nick's mom sends him to live with his father on a teak plantation in Burma, hoping her son will be safer there. But as soon as Nick arrives trouble erupts in the remote Burmese village when japanese soldiers invade. Will the japanese soldiers t...more
Jan 25, 2013
Shawna H
added it
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
historical fiction
roland smith
9/14
1pg~315pg
This story is about the brave british boy named Nick Freeston. During world war 2, Nick had left the England and moved to Burma because the Germany kept bombing his town. He learned about manhouts(elephant breeders) and made a friend named Mya. He also became friend with Hilltop, a mysterious monk who can speak with elephant and is Mya's great grandfather. His father owned the place called Hawk's Nest and Nick lives with him. Even though Nick got knock...more
roland smith
9/14
1pg~315pg
This story is about the brave british boy named Nick Freeston. During world war 2, Nick had left the England and moved to Burma because the Germany kept bombing his town. He learned about manhouts(elephant breeders) and made a friend named Mya. He also became friend with Hilltop, a mysterious monk who can speak with elephant and is Mya's great grandfather. His father owned the place called Hawk's Nest and Nick lives with him. Even though Nick got knock...more
Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Roland Smith
Date Started: June 18th
Date ended: July 23rd
Length: 318 pages
Nick Freestone is living a life like no one else ever will. He first lived with his mother in London, but when their house gets bombed, his mom decides to send him to his dad’s plantation in Burma. Nick is excited to be with his dad, and is eager to learn more about elephants, but once he reaches Burma, trouble heads their way. The Japanese have come to Burma and have invaded his dad’s plan...more
Author: Roland Smith
Date Started: June 18th
Date ended: July 23rd
Length: 318 pages
Nick Freestone is living a life like no one else ever will. He first lived with his mother in London, but when their house gets bombed, his mom decides to send him to his dad’s plantation in Burma. Nick is excited to be with his dad, and is eager to learn more about elephants, but once he reaches Burma, trouble heads their way. The Japanese have come to Burma and have invaded his dad’s plan...more
Elephant Run By: Ronald Smith
Finished in early July
It is about 310 pages long
Nick, a 14 year old boy, moves to live with his dad in Burma for safety of the London bombing in 1941. Nick’s dad lives on a plantation that uses elephants to fetch lumber. In Burma it is very different from London. For example Burma is very hot and requires Nick to use more effort. In Burma Nick meats a girl about his age. Her name is Mya. She lives on the plantation. Right when Nick was starting to like Burma the Ja...more
Finished in early July
It is about 310 pages long
Nick, a 14 year old boy, moves to live with his dad in Burma for safety of the London bombing in 1941. Nick’s dad lives on a plantation that uses elephants to fetch lumber. In Burma it is very different from London. For example Burma is very hot and requires Nick to use more effort. In Burma Nick meats a girl about his age. Her name is Mya. She lives on the plantation. Right when Nick was starting to like Burma the Ja...more
I have been looking forward to reading Elephant Run simply because I think elephants are fascinating and enjoy good stories involving them. I am happy to say that this was an enjoyable–at times even riveting–read.
The story centers around Nick Freestone, a boy in his early teens, who is living in London with his mother in the early 1940′s during World War II. As the German bombing of London becomes worse, Nick’s mother agrees to send him to his father, a tree plantation owner in Burma, where she...more
The story centers around Nick Freestone, a boy in his early teens, who is living in London with his mother in the early 1940′s during World War II. As the German bombing of London becomes worse, Nick’s mother agrees to send him to his father, a tree plantation owner in Burma, where she...more
Oct 05, 2011
Alex Baugh
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
YA
Shelves:
world-war-2
Elephant Run is an exciting action-packed story, set in 1941/2 in Burma (now Myanmar) just as Japan is turning its sites on it for military purposes.
Nick Freestone, 14, has been living with his mother and step dad in London, but now it is 1941, the Blitz is in full swing and one night, the building they are living in is destroyed by a bomb. His parents have become increasingly involved in wartime activities and Nick’s mother decides to send him to Burma, to live on his father’s timber plantatio...more
Nick Freestone, 14, has been living with his mother and step dad in London, but now it is 1941, the Blitz is in full swing and one night, the building they are living in is destroyed by a bomb. His parents have become increasingly involved in wartime activities and Nick’s mother decides to send him to Burma, to live on his father’s timber plantatio...more
Wow, I have this year reached my quota on elephant books and books set in the jungle. I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just weird, right?, that this is my second elephant book in the past few months? And my previous book I was in the Amazon and now I'm in a Burmese jungle. Just a bit much. Bad timing on my part, like when I OD'ed on Charlaine Harris.
Anyhoodle, Burma was at least new for me. And any book set during WWII is usually A-OK with me. This novel begins with a boy, Nick, who moves f...more
Anyhoodle, Burma was at least new for me. And any book set during WWII is usually A-OK with me. This novel begins with a boy, Nick, who moves f...more
This is a fantastic book. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop until...until my mom asked me if I had done my homework yet. The plot is very fast moving, exciting, and has lots of suspense because it has alot to do with the survival of the main characters. To be honest, there was not a part that was boring. The story is set in the midst of the second world war, where readers can learn about Burma under the British colonial rule and also the oppression from the Japanese. I think that this topi...more
(This book is a: historical fiction )
This book shows what some people and families went through during wars and periods when homes were being taken over. Families are split, beaten and even sometimes killed! To keep only the ones that can be used to work.
In every midst there is at least one traitor and this book certainly has one. This book also shows that even though some people may seem mean and are forced to do mean things they are not always bad people.
This book starts out with a boy name...more
This book shows what some people and families went through during wars and periods when homes were being taken over. Families are split, beaten and even sometimes killed! To keep only the ones that can be used to work.
In every midst there is at least one traitor and this book certainly has one. This book also shows that even though some people may seem mean and are forced to do mean things they are not always bad people.
This book starts out with a boy name...more
"Elephant Run" by Roland Smith
(from the back cover)
The year is 1941, and bombs are being dropped from the night sky, blanketing the city of London. When fourteen-year old Nick Freestone's apartment is demolished, his mother decides the situation in England has grown too unstable, Nick will be safer, his mother hopes, living with his father in Burma on the family's teak plantation.
Nick arrives at the plantation eager to learn about the timber elephants raised and trained there, and also to spend...more
(from the back cover)
The year is 1941, and bombs are being dropped from the night sky, blanketing the city of London. When fourteen-year old Nick Freestone's apartment is demolished, his mother decides the situation in England has grown too unstable, Nick will be safer, his mother hopes, living with his father in Burma on the family's teak plantation.
Nick arrives at the plantation eager to learn about the timber elephants raised and trained there, and also to spend...more
3 1/2 stars. A 2010 Rebecca Caudill selection
The Japanese invasion of Asia seems to be a little explored topic in kid’s lit, making this an important book to add to the collection of WWII historical fiction titles for kids.
Burma is the unique setting of this story which takes place just as the Japanese are invading the country. All the elements are here for a great adventure. There are interesting characters, including elephants. There is the exotic setting on a teak plantation set in the middl...more
The Japanese invasion of Asia seems to be a little explored topic in kid’s lit, making this an important book to add to the collection of WWII historical fiction titles for kids.
Burma is the unique setting of this story which takes place just as the Japanese are invading the country. All the elements are here for a great adventure. There are interesting characters, including elephants. There is the exotic setting on a teak plantation set in the middl...more
After the London apartment in which Nick Freestone lives with his mother and stepfather is bombed during World War II, Nick is sent to live with his father in Burma. Unfortunately, by the time he arrives at his father’s teak plantation, it is obvious that the Japanese are going to take over the country. Nick’s father is determined to get Nick out of the country and to safety in Australia, but before that can happen, the Japanese arrive and take everyone captive. Nick’s father is sent to a work c...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
With war damn near in his lapp in London, 14 year old Nick, beacuse he doesnt like Nicholas, is sent to live with his father. Come to find out his father lives in Burma, Africa. Which ends up being an even worse decision. Trying to avoid World War II, Nick ends up ariving in Burma just as the Japanese do.
Nick is perfectly portrayed as a character that shows lots of love for his father and what his past fathers had worked so hard for. If your looking for a different end of the telescope pointed...more
Nick is perfectly portrayed as a character that shows lots of love for his father and what his past fathers had worked so hard for. If your looking for a different end of the telescope pointed...more
by Roland Smith
Fiction/Historical Fiction
318 pages
"Elephant Run" is about a boy named Nick Freedstone is a fourteen year old boy from London in the action of WW2. Nick's mom decides it is to dangerous in London and she is sending Nick away to his father in Burma,to work on the Teak plantation his father runs. While Nick is exporing Burma, he finds a girl name Mya, and she honestly has a crush on Nick.Then the Japanese come to Burma and take over the plantation for war. The Japanese built a camp...more
Fiction/Historical Fiction
318 pages
"Elephant Run" is about a boy named Nick Freedstone is a fourteen year old boy from London in the action of WW2. Nick's mom decides it is to dangerous in London and she is sending Nick away to his father in Burma,to work on the Teak plantation his father runs. While Nick is exporing Burma, he finds a girl name Mya, and she honestly has a crush on Nick.Then the Japanese come to Burma and take over the plantation for war. The Japanese built a camp...more
Oct 15, 2012
Marin Ehrmantraut
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction
Elephant Run is a very good book! At first I couldn't tell if I would like it or not, but the farther I read, the better it got. I was actually expecting it to be boring! Once I picked up the book, I wouldn't be able to put it down. I am not usually into war and historical fiction, but I felt like I was really in Burma with Nick Freestone, the main character. There was lots of suspense and surprises.
My favorite part was when Nick escaped from Burma and got to go live in India with his father. I...more
My favorite part was when Nick escaped from Burma and got to go live in India with his father. I...more
By Roland Smith Historical Fiction 318 pages
Nick Freestone is forced to go to Burma with his father because the Germans are bombing London. Nick learns about Timber elephants and their trainers who are mahouts when he arrives at Burma. Nick also meets a girl named Mya who wants to be a mahout. Soon after, the Japanese invade Burma and capture Hawk’s Nest (the mansion where Nick and his father live). Nick becomes a slave and his father is moved to a different place in Burma to work. Later, Nick f...more
Nick Freestone is forced to go to Burma with his father because the Germans are bombing London. Nick learns about Timber elephants and their trainers who are mahouts when he arrives at Burma. Nick also meets a girl named Mya who wants to be a mahout. Soon after, the Japanese invade Burma and capture Hawk’s Nest (the mansion where Nick and his father live). Nick becomes a slave and his father is moved to a different place in Burma to work. Later, Nick f...more
This is a book that draws the reader in page by page. It is the story of Nick Freestone and his father, a teak plantation owner in Burma (Myanmar). Set against the backdrop of World War II, Nick is sent by his mother and stepfather to his father's plantation when the bombing in London comes a little too close to home. The plantation harvests timber using elephants. Hannibal is the largest and most unruly of the elephants. Mya, is a young Burmese girl whose family has a long and storied tradition...more
The Blitz is raging, and Nick's mother sends him away from the dangers of London to the relative safety of his father's plantation in the midst of the Burmese jungle. Nick loves the plantation and has greatly missed it, his father and the elephants in the years that he lived with his mother and step-father. But Nick's stay in Burma is anything but peaceful. The war has followed him to southeast Asia; the Japanese are taking over the continent, and many of the Burmese workers on the plantation ar...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Nick Freestone is living in London, a place at war with Japan. For this reason, Nick's mom and stepdad send him to his father's teak plantation in Burma. Even though Nick's visit to Burma was for safety, his safety alters into what could turn to danger for him and his father when the Japanese invade the teak plantation. When the Japanese invade the teak plantation, Nick is stuck working for the Japanese Colonel Nagoyoshi, while his father is working at a perilous labor camp. Using elaborate tun...more
Genre: Historical Fiction
Author: Roland Smith
Elephant Run is a historical fiction book written by Roland Smith. Enter Nicholas, a young boy from England. Nicholas was a victim of an apartment bombing during World War 2, because of this he was sent to live with his father on the family plantation in Burma. While he's in Burma, the Japanese decide to invade, resulting in the capture of his father and himself. Nicholas then has to live under the Japanese ideologies and command. Nick has to decide...more
Author: Roland Smith
Elephant Run is a historical fiction book written by Roland Smith. Enter Nicholas, a young boy from England. Nicholas was a victim of an apartment bombing during World War 2, because of this he was sent to live with his father on the family plantation in Burma. While he's in Burma, the Japanese decide to invade, resulting in the capture of his father and himself. Nicholas then has to live under the Japanese ideologies and command. Nick has to decide...more
elephant run
roland smith
historical fiction
Elephant run is a great book. Nick Freestone is the main character. Nicks dad owns a giant plantation in Burma during world war two. When the people working on the plantation are doing their regular chores the plantation is attacked by the japanese. N ick's dad and Mya's brother are taken captive. Mya is a girl that lives on the plantation. Nick and Mya use secret passageways to escape the plantation. Do Nick and Mya escape and free their families? Or do...more
roland smith
historical fiction
Elephant run is a great book. Nick Freestone is the main character. Nicks dad owns a giant plantation in Burma during world war two. When the people working on the plantation are doing their regular chores the plantation is attacked by the japanese. N ick's dad and Mya's brother are taken captive. Mya is a girl that lives on the plantation. Nick and Mya use secret passageways to escape the plantation. Do Nick and Mya escape and free their families? Or do...more
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Roland Smith is an American author of young adult fiction as well as nonfiction books for children.
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the E...more
More about Roland Smith...
Smith was born in Portland, Oregon, and graduated from Portland State University and, following a part-time job at the Oregon Zoo in Portland, began a 20-year career as a zookeeper, both at the Oregon Zoo and the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. After working to save wildlife following the E...more

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