THE SECRET ELEPHANT OF HARLAN KOOTER
by Dean Harvey & illustrated by Mark Richardson
What happens to Harlan Kooter when Hannibal, an elephant, escapes from a circus and finds shelter in his mother's garage. Fantasy prevails here: Hannibal neither eats nor defecates, and he speaks vernacular English. While hotly pursued by police and the military, he and Harlan move at night—delivering papers, investigating swimming pools, hiding out. Then a hurricane sweeps the town and Hannibal emerges to save the class bully and the class smarty. After a hero's farewell, he seizes the opportunity to take a boat to Africa. Readers unfamiliar with clichÇs like small, red-haired paperboys and funny names will enjoy the broad comedy (e.g., Hannibal throwing everything out of a bakery truck to find cookies) and the fast-paced adventures. More experienced heads will nod. (Fiction. 7-10)