87 pages 2 hours read

Roland Smith

Elephant Run

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“When the all-clear siren sounded, they walked calmly up the stairs to the street. Some of the people made jokes, others talked about the weather or food rationing.” 


(Chapter 1, Page 2)

When Nick is still living in London, he reflects on the strange experience of Londoners acting as if regular bombings of their city were entirely normal, choosing to talk about the weather as they emerge from the subway tunnels. 

Quotation Mark Icon

“Mr. Freestone also believes Burma should be an independent country, governed by its own people. He has been quietly working on this for many years.” 


(Chapter 2, Page 8)

In this quote, Nang argues on behalf of Jackson. He claims that Jackson is an advocate for the Burmese and not a British enemy of the natives like so many others. Ironically, when the Japanese arrive, they are much crueler leaders, and those who betrayed Jackson regret their decision.  

Quotation Mark Icon

“You’ll use [the knife] like all Freestone’s have used it.” 


(Chapter 3, Page 24)

In this chapter, Jackson gives him the ivory knife that the Sergeant Major carved many generations before. This knife becomes a symbol of Nick’s connection to his family and his great-grandfather’s resilient spirit. 

Related Titles

By Roland Smith