Short novel (94 pages) about group of troubled youth who get lost in the desert and unwittingly attract their rescuers by hanging their wet clothing on an elephant tree to dry. Lots of angst. Writing is kid level and just average. The tree and title are the only reference to elephants ... no actual elephants in the story.

This book was read to me by my seventh grade teacher. When he died and they were selling his books, that was the first one I wanted. This book was good enough to keep a whole class of seventh graders awake. Every book he read was a good one. This book about dilinquent kids who get lost in the desert is definitly great.

It is a shame to think that some teachers are using this as their only text. As such, it gives a totally distorted view of so-called "Anglos" and "Whites" in America. For instance, in the chapters on American Indians, the Spanish depravity visited on the indigenous peoples in what is now the American west and southwest isn't even mentioned. The authors assertions of peaceful assimilation by the Spanish of the indigenous peoples (p. 199) is irresponsible and absurd. But this book is sure to please the America-hating politically correct crowd that equates white European Americans with Satan.

Early this Spring I decided to take on the task of an Honors Intercultural Studies course at De Anza College. Although I had taken many classes of the same genre, little could have prepared me for the mass of knowledge that I would obtain. Through reading an average of 60-80 pages of "Interethnic Relations in America" each week, I have been able to gain not only a cultural perspective, but a sociological and historical one too! I have found that although it is challenging because it contains SO much information, that it reigns as a great work because it is seemingly non-biased, very modern, and well written. I would definetly reccommend this book to people of all ages, races, ethnicities, regardless of their "cultural baggage." I have been forced to think, and thus I feel compelled to share my experinces with others. This book can truly change your life in many ways! Not to mention that my professor has used it at both Stanford and Berkeley in the past!

Unfortunately, Elias et al continue to try to sell the same concepts with new packaging. There is little new here, and I find it a bit disconcerting that the EQ wave continues to be exploited for personal gain by academics, of all people.

Shame on "Johnny come lately" academics trying to follow in Dan Goleman's success. Give us something new, or at least, stick to your science.