From Children's Literature:

Rachel is thirteen, and lives with a secret that she hates to remember. Her best friend is Des, sister of Riley. The fourth member of the team is Woolsey, and these four have a great adventure. Des claims that it is the responsibility of each person to do something noble in life and her dream is to release an elephant held captive in a run-down petting zoo in a nearby town. Mission accomplished; now what does one do? A week in the woods with the elephant brings out all sorts of secrets for each of the teenagers, and Rachel learns a lot about life. No, Riley will never be her boyfriend. Yes, she must confront her mother, telling her that she witnessed her kissing another man. And finally, this passage leads to her return to composing: she can hear the music again. This is a beautifully written book, full of compassion for each of the characters and his idiosyncrasies. Other characters are also fleshed out, and the reader becomes a willing participant in this drama. 2003, Little Brown, Ages 10 to 14. Candace Deisley

From Booklist:

Gr. 5-8. In 1960s Boston, just before the Beatles' invasion of the U.S., 13-year-old Rachel and her small group of unconventional friends find escape from their family tensions. A neglected elephant at a run-down zoo gives Desmona, the group's ringleader, the idea for "one great deed." Together, the friends successfully "liberate" the animal. While in hiding, the kids reveal their secrets and fears, and Rachel returns home stronger and more confident. Rachel tells the story in a dramatic, lyrical voice. The main story will resonate with some kids; they'll appreciate Stone's use of appealing, vivid detail and her ability to create a cast of passionate, artistic, likable characters who struggle to overcome family pain and find their own strength. Gillian Engberg

From VOYA:

Thirteen-year-old Rachel Townsend has always had her music, and after eccentric and wealthy Desmona takes her under her wing, she has friends as well. They ride around Boston in Riley Red's little red sports car and think of causes to champion. They protest veal cutlets in the school cafeteria, and when Desmona decides to save an elephant at the local zoo, Rachel, another friend Woolsey, Riley, and Des go on an adventure that Rachel could not have envisioned. After hiding the elephant in the woods for a week, the young people find community support for what they have done, but unfortunately the closeness between Des and Rachel suffers under the strain. Stone creates the ultimate animal lover's fantasy&emdash;youth saving an abused elephant from a dilapidated zoo and garnering community support for changing the conditions. The book is buoyed up by Stone's beautiful use of language and her ability to describe the surroundings in a dreamy, rose-colored-glasses tone. Readers who believe that they can save the world and who are willing to suspend reality for a while might appreciate Des's efforts. VOYA Codes: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003, Little Brown, 194p., Ages 11 to 15. Lynn Evarts

From School Library Journal:

Gr 5-8-Set in Cambridge, MA, in the early '60s, this novel, peopled by eccentric characters and narrated by 13-year-old Rachel Townsend, will grab readers' attention from the outset. Rachel's friend, Desmona, orchestrates the events spurred on by her philosophy that everyone is meant to do one extraordinary thing. Music is one of Rachel's escapes, but this outlet has been spoiled by her suspicions about her parents' rocky marriage, which she is trying to deny. Fighting for animal rights is Desmona's passion, and she organizes her friends and older brother, Riley, to save stray cats and to mount a protest in the school cafeteria. It is when they are suspended for this protest that Desmona galvanizes them to kidnap an elephant from a small zoo in the area. Stone's unique characters and their relationship impel readers to continue and discover the outcome. Unbelievably, the teens manage to hide the elephant for days. This act naturally becomes a cause celebre in the town, and Rachel is the one who cleverly and bravely brings the predicament to a close. Stone's lively prose style makes this a good read. The author's well-developed, multidimensional characters show a refreshing loyalty to one another. In spite of its bizarre plot, this story will find many fans.-Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ