Author: Michael Morpurgo Square Fish, 2013 (originally HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2010) Softcover,
199 Page Chapter Book Grades 4-8
Teenaged Lizzie is already dealing with a lot: a father who has gone to war, a mother who seems to be more preoccupied with her job as a zookeeper than her daughter’s feelings, and the uncertainties of growing up during World War II. But when Allied bombers draw closer to Lizzie’s hometown of Dresden, she has to accept another reality: an elephant in the garden.
A fast-paced, moving story that manages to find warmth, humanity, and wonder in dark times.
Lizzie’s mother brings the elephant home from work every night – just in case the zoo is bombed. Lizzie and her brother Karli quickly bond with the elephant, but it’s not long before the worst happens and this unlikely quartet are fleeing their burning city on a harrowing trek to Safety.
Based on the bare bones of a true story, An Elephant in the Garden deals with the stark realities of everyday life during wartime. Author Michael Morpurgo excellently captures the main character’s feelings, expressing the confusing and contradictory emotions we experience under stress. And there are plenty of warm memories and lighter moments, including a love interest for Lizzie.
This book balances honesty and directness without becoming too violent or too sentimental.
Although the subject matter is serious and there are several moments of real danger, it never becomes too heavy, too scary, or too sad. The author’s crisp writing encourages us to think, but he never overwhelms us.
A very excellent book, and one that I’d recommend to tweens and teens.
An Elephant In The Garden by Michael Morpurgo receives 5 stars from this reviewer.