Morpurgo,
Michael. An Elephant in the Garden. Feiwel&Friends/Macmillan
Children's Publishing Group, 2011. 199p. $16.99 ISBN 978-0-312-59369-8 ms (Grades 5-8) E-BN Historical
This is an
excellent historical fiction set
during World War II.
The story unfolds as an elderly lady in a nursing home relates her
story to a friendly nurse and the nurse’s little boy. When she was a child, her mother worked at a
zoo with the elephants. As the Russian army
was advancing, plans were made to destroy all the large animals who could be a
threat if let loose in the city. A young
elephant accompanied the family in their escape.
Two different fonts are used to differentiate when the conversation is in the present time and when it represents the reminiscences of the elderly lady. This is a very effective format to tell a story.
The author’s note explains that the genesis of the story came from several factual accounts. One was an account of a zookeeper saving a young elephant, and there were also first-person accounts of families escaping bombed cities and fleeing before the invading Russian Army. This note helps the realism in the story, which is excellently rendered.
Students will first be fascinated to find out about the elephant and then will be hooked on the story. Like the little boy, they will want to know what happened next. This makes the novel hard to put down. Some of the action is predictable to an adult, but it is exciting enough to make the reader want to read on.
This is an excellent choice for middle-school libraries, Grades 5-8.
Subject: W.W.II -- Fiction
Two different fonts are used to differentiate when the conversation is in the present time and when it represents the reminiscences of the elderly lady. This is a very effective format to tell a story.
The author’s note explains that the genesis of the story came from several factual accounts. One was an account of a zookeeper saving a young elephant, and there were also first-person accounts of families escaping bombed cities and fleeing before the invading Russian Army. This note helps the realism in the story, which is excellently rendered.
Students will first be fascinated to find out about the elephant and then will be hooked on the story. Like the little boy, they will want to know what happened next. This makes the novel hard to put down. Some of the action is predictable to an adult, but it is exciting enough to make the reader want to read on.
This is an excellent choice for middle-school libraries, Grades 5-8.
Subject: W.W.II -- Fiction
Joan Theal
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