An Elephant In The Garden

Read Free Books and Download eBooks

Lizzie and Karl's mother is a zoo keeper; the family has become attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene, who will be destroyed as a precautionary measure so she and the other animals don't run wild should the zoo be hit by bombs. The family persuades the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their garden instead. When the city is bombed, the family flees with thousands of others, but how can they walk the same route when they have an elephant in tow, and keep themselves safe? Along the way, they meet Peter, a Canadian navigator who risks his own capture to save the family. As Michael Morpurgo writes in an author's note, An Elephant in the Garden is inspired by historical truths, and by his admiration for elephants, "the noblest and wisest and most sensitive of all creatures." Here is a story that brings together an unlikely group of survivors whose faith in kindness and love proves the best weapon of all.

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: Square Fish; Reprint edition (October 8, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1250034140

ISBN-13: 978-1250034144

Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 7.7 inches

Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #47,300 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #21 in Books > Children's Books > Geography & Cultures > Explore the World > Europe #58 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Elephants #63 in Books > Children's Books > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > Military & Wars

Age Range: 10 - 14 years

Grade Level: 5 - 9

Reason for Reading: I like the author and would simply read anything he wrote.This story set during WWII is from a perspective which I don't read much of, that of the everyday German family. I have read books from the German perspective but usually they are hiding Jews and that would be the focus of the story. An Elephant in the Garden does not really explore the War itself very much, outside of what this middle class pacifist family would know from the propaganda they were fed. Before the war actually starts they have had a heated argument with their closest relatives who have said they never want to see them again as they believe Hitler will be good for the country and our family, living in Dresden think he is a madman. War starts and Papi is called to active duty, sent to fight in France and later in Russia. Mutti has gotten herself a job working at the local zoo which is a walkable distance from their home. With this background, we enter the main theme of the book as the Allies are winning, drawing nearer to the cities, and then Dresden is bombed to a pile of ash. Mutti, Karl and Elizabeth leave the city as many refugees do as they have the Americans coming from one side and the Russians from the other and no one wants to suffer at the hands of the Russians. So they all head towards the Americans, but Mutti feels she must bring Marlene with her, a very sad, grieving baby elephant whose mother died several months ago. Mutti has known her since she was born. Marlene has been living in their garden overnights and has become a part of the family. It is a hard journey for any refugee as they trudge for weeks through the snow, rationing a dwindling supply of food, with the Russians ever present at their back but with an elephant along this brings added elements both bad and good.

Elephant Coloring Book For Adults: An Adult Coloring Book of 40 Patterned, Henna and Paisley Style Elephant (Animal Coloring Books for Adults) (Volume 2) Elephant Quest Elephant Quest (Adventures Around the World) An Elephant in the Garden The Architecture of the Barnes Foundation: Gallery in a Garden, Garden in a Gallery Grandmother's Garden: The Old-Fashioned American Garden 1865-1915 Mosaic Garden Projects: Add Color to Your Garden with Tables, Fountains, Bird Baths, and More The Time Garden Note Cards: Color-In Note Cards from the Creator of The Time Garden and The Time Chamber (Time Adult Coloring Books) Flower Paintings from the Apothecaries' Garden: Contemporary Botanical Illustrations from Chelsea Physic Garden The Bold Dry Garden: Lessons from the Ruth Bancroft Garden Garden Calendar - Lavender Calendar - Flower Calendar - Calendars 2016 - 2017 Wall Calendars - Garden Calendars - Flower Calendar - Lavendar 16 Month Wall Calendar by Avonside First Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew The Edible Flower Garden (Edible Garden Series) The Embroidered Garden: Stitching through the Seasons of a Flower Garden (Make Good: Crafts + Life) A Garden to Dye For: How to Use Plants from the Garden to Create Natural Colors for Fabrics & Fibers Garden Ponds: Basic Pond Setup And Maintenance (Garden Ponds Made Easy) Mini Encyclopedia of Garden Ponds: How to Plan, Construct and Maintain a Vibrant Pond That Will Enhance Your Garden The Complete Pond Builder: Creating a Beautiful Water Garden (Our Garden Variety) Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping: The Complete Guide to Beautiful Paths, Patios, Plantings, and More (Sunset Western Garden Book (Paper)) Garden Butterflies of North America: A Gallery of Garden Butterflies & How to Attract Them The Butterfly Garden: Turning Your Garden, Window Box or Backyard Into A Beautiful Home for Butterflies