A review by marykimball14
You Can't See the Elephants by Susan Kreller
3.0
***Abuse and Trauma Trigger Warning***
Despite being a quick read, this book was brutal to get through. I hate it when kids get hurt, even if it just happens in a book. Perhaps what was so difficult about this book is that I know this fictitious story is a reality for so many kids. It was also difficult because of how this book dealt with the very real and very serious issue.
The story begins when Mascha, isolated in her grandparents’ picturesque, boring, little town for the summer, meets 9-year-old Julia, and her 7-year-old brother Max. Unlike most of the other kids, who largely ignore Mascha, Julia and Max don’t seem to have a problem with the fact that Mascha is from out of town. Instead, they attach themselves to her, and the three begin a tenuous friendship. Although Mascha is excited about finally having friends, she quickly grows concerned when she notices bruises on Julia’s stomach, and witnesses Max having a raged-induced fight with his imaginary friends. Her fears are confirmed when she goes to their house one day and sees the unthinkable: Max being thrown against the wall by his father.
Deeply worried for the safety of her friends, Mascha does everything in her power to save them, even going so far as to call the police when her grandparents ignore her. Desperate, Mascha comes up with an extreme plan to help Julia and Max. The problem? Her plan isn’t exactly legal, and may lead to more harm than good.
My big beef with this story is that I don’t know if it sends a good message to kids coping with abuse: that no one will listen if you tell. It also worries me that it may inspire children to follow Mascha’s dangerous plan if they feel helpless too. It is beautifully written, but I wish the story was handled differently.
Appropriate for upper elementary and middle school.
Despite being a quick read, this book was brutal to get through. I hate it when kids get hurt, even if it just happens in a book. Perhaps what was so difficult about this book is that I know this fictitious story is a reality for so many kids. It was also difficult because of how this book dealt with the very real and very serious issue.
The story begins when Mascha, isolated in her grandparents’ picturesque, boring, little town for the summer, meets 9-year-old Julia, and her 7-year-old brother Max. Unlike most of the other kids, who largely ignore Mascha, Julia and Max don’t seem to have a problem with the fact that Mascha is from out of town. Instead, they attach themselves to her, and the three begin a tenuous friendship. Although Mascha is excited about finally having friends, she quickly grows concerned when she notices bruises on Julia’s stomach, and witnesses Max having a raged-induced fight with his imaginary friends. Her fears are confirmed when she goes to their house one day and sees the unthinkable: Max being thrown against the wall by his father.
Deeply worried for the safety of her friends, Mascha does everything in her power to save them, even going so far as to call the police when her grandparents ignore her. Desperate, Mascha comes up with an extreme plan to help Julia and Max. The problem? Her plan isn’t exactly legal, and may lead to more harm than good.
My big beef with this story is that I don’t know if it sends a good message to kids coping with abuse: that no one will listen if you tell. It also worries me that it may inspire children to follow Mascha’s dangerous plan if they feel helpless too. It is beautifully written, but I wish the story was handled differently.
Appropriate for upper elementary and middle school.