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White elephant magic

Cover of Marshmallow and Jordan
A review of Marshmallow and Jordan by Alina Chau

This middle grade graphic novel set in Indonesia will pull at your heart strings. Jordan (named after Michael Jordan) shoots hoops like no one else at Kahawaii Multicultural School. A former star player on the basketball team, she's now the Captain after an accident leaves her paralyzed and unable to play on the team as before. Jordan misses playing basketball but remains upbeat and runs practices, attends games, and remains an integral part of the team.

Then something unexpected happens. Jordan makes friends with an injured white elephant after practice one day and brings the little elephant home with her. She names him Marshmallow and nurses him back to health. They become best friends and Marshmallow becomes a mascot for the kids at school. Jordan welcomes Marshmallow into her life and Marshmallow helps Jordan recognize what she needs to make the most of her abilities.

What comes next is swimming and water polo - something that Jordan can participate in and excel at without having to stay on the sidelines. It's hard for her friends to accept that Jordan can support basketball and play water polo and as is true in middle schools around the world there is miscommunication, hard feelings and drama in the lunch room. Some time, faith, and intense competition paves the way for a joyous ending that brings everyone together with understanding, empathy and respect.

May 4, 2022