An Elephant in the Garden - Hardcover

Michael Morpurgo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0007339577 ISBN 13: 9780007339570

Publisher: HARPER COLLINS PUB. (UK), 2010

Synopsis

A thrilling and moving new novel about an extraordinary animal caught up in a very human war, for anyone who loved The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips or The Butterfly Lion! It's 1944. Elizabeth's father is fighting with the German army on the eastern front. Her mother works at Dresden zoo, where her favourite animal is a young elephant named Marlene. When the zoo director tells her the dangerous animals must be shot to prevent them running amok if the town is bombed, Elizabeth's mother moves Marlene into the back garden to save her! and then the bombs start to fall. Their home destroyed, Elizabeth and her family must flee the bombed-out city and through the wintery landscape, all the while avoiding the Russian troops who are drawing ever closer. It would be hard enough, without an elephant in tow!

About this title

About the Author:

Sir Michael Morpurgo, Order of the British Empire, is one of the world's most acclaimed authors for children. His middle grade novel, War Horse, debuted on Broadway in 2011 and is being adapted for film by Stephen Spielberg.

Review:

“Young Lizzie's story (differentiated from the framing tale by typeface change) is quick-paced and moving, and her teenage viewpoint is believable...” ―BCCB

“Morpurgo crafts a thought-provoking and perilous encounter with an enemy combatant who joins their party and eventually forges a believable romance with Lizzie.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Readers . . . can't help but be drawn into the tale of survival told in An Elephant in the Garden, which is loosely based on a real event from World War II.” ―BookPage

“The calm, steady tone is engaging, appropriate, and will appeal to a wide range of readers.” ―VOYA

“The occasional interruptions to the story build suspense and add a layer of resonance to Morpurgo's poignant and thoughtful exploration of the terrible impact of war on both sides of the fighting.” ―Booklist

“This well-paced, heartwarming narrative by a master storyteller will appeal to readers on several levels...” ―School Library Journal

“Morpurgo's (Kensuke's Kingdom) suspenseful, ultimately tragic novel opens as 18-year-old Tommo Peaceful stays up all night ‘to try to remember everything.' ... This is a moving depiction of a loving relationship between two brothers, their lives so linked that readers may wonder until the end whose fate lies in the balance. All in all, a powerful story about war's costs, and who pays the price.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review of Private Peaceful

“This searing World War I novel reveals the unspeakable slaughter of soldiers on all sides fighting against people who are just like them...the viewpoint brings close the fury of the thundering guns, the confusion, and the kindness of enemies who come together in No Man's Land to save the wounded horse.... and the terse details speak eloquently about peace.” ―Booklist for War Horse

About this edition

• Publisher: HARPER COLLINS PUB. (UK)
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0007339577
• ISBN 13: 9780007339570
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1