The Great Elephant Chase by Gillian Cross

When the elephant came to town, Tad and Cissie went to the show like everyone else. Little did they know it would change their lives for ever. Because of the elephant, Tad and Cissie get involved in a chase across America, by train, by flatboat, and steam boat. Close behind is HannibalJackson, who is determined to have the elephant for himself. And how do you hide a large Indian elephant? This novel was the winner of the Whitbread Children's Novel Award and the Smarties Prize. Gillian Cross has also won the Carnegie Medal and is a highly-acclaimed author. For me information about the author go to her website:

http://www.gillian-cross.co.uk/

Travellers by Night by Vivien Alcock

This is a fast-paced book about two children named Belle and Charlie who are determined to save an old elephant from the slaughterhouse. The two circus children kidnap the animal and begin a dangerous journey, traveling by night across the English countryside to a safari park where they hope to find the elephant a home. The novel becomes more believable and suspenseful as the journey progresses. This novel was turned into a popular television series and the following clip might influence you to give the novel a go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c62fcyzGk-I