Small as an Elephant

Why is Jack able to survive on his own despite his age and lack of resources? What personality traits and circumstances allow this to happen? Use textual evidence to support your observations.

How do Jack’s thoughts and actions thematically illustrate The Effects of Unstable Attachment on Children? How has Jack’s mother influenced this aspect of his personality? Use textual evidence to support your views.

Why does Jack love elephants? How does he come to resemble an elephant in his own way, and why does he feel such a need to see Lydia? Why might the author have chosen to feature elephants as Jack’s favorite animal, rather than an animal commonly found in Maine?

Jack’s story demonstrates A Child’s Ability to Endure Tremendous Hardship as a theme and shows that small people sometimes have to take on big problems. How does Jack feel about having to be independent and take care of himself? How does he feel about his mother because of it? How and why does his perspective change? Use textual evidence to support your observations.

Jack’s story demonstrates how easy it is for youth to end up without a home. Why does Jack feel unable to reach out to anyone for help? Why might so many young people like Jack feel trapped in their situation?

Consider Sources of Unlikely Support in Trying Times as a theme. What and who help Jack along the way? Why is this support so important for Jack to have even though he doesn’t always accept it? Give at least three examples of sources of support and the impact of each on Jack.

Why does Jack’s mother leave him? What leads her to make this decision, and why does Jack feel like it’s his fault? How is this issue eventually resolved? Use textual evidence to support your observations.

How do the author’s writing style and the way that she mixes Jack’s thoughts with the narrative directly convey Jack’s inner world? What about this writing style makes it so realistic and relatable?