An Elephant in the Garden

An Elephant in the Garden

By Michael Morpurgo

9 ratings 7 reviews 25 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 5 - 9Grades 4 - 8Y5.236073

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.

Publisher: Square Fish
ISBN-13: 9781250034144
ISBN-10: 1250034140
Published on 10/8/2013
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 224

Book Reviews (9)

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this book is amazing

cute cute

it sounds like a good book iv never read it it sounds very well.

Puppylover Puppylover

This book is definitely one of my top 5 favorites. It is sad when Lizzie tells about her home being bombed, but Marlene the elephant makes everything better, and brightens Lizzie’s family’s life.

This is my favourite book. I read this because I love ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This book is so cool it will change your life. This book is about an elephant named Marlene that was born in the Zoo. Bombs Destroy the homes of people so they also have to shoot all the animals but Marlene goes with Mutti (Mutti loves Marlene) and her family. To find out if Marlene is okay. Go to a library to borrow it or buy it. This is a wonderful story not sad at all.

Have you ever wondered what a journey to try and escape the Nazi’s would be like? This story is based on Lizzy. She is in a retirement home. The lady that takes care of her has a son named Carl that reminds Lizzy of her brother Carly. Lizzy explains her story of when her mom worked at a zoo and she heard that the Nazi’s were coming. This story mainly tells about how Lizzy’s family took an elephant from the zoo that they loved so dearly named Marlene and escaped the Nazi’s and their journey through it. I enjoyed this book because it has all kinds of emotions. (Happy, sad, scary, intense, exciting) It was very detailed. Elephant in the garden has made me realize how lucky I am to be living in a safe place and to have a great family. All of those reasons of why I love the book make it a great book that you will not be able to put down. Some of the main characters are Lizzy, Marlene, Carly, and Peter. My favorite character is Marlene because she is so sweet but also sensitive. She is an elephant but she has emotions like a real human. She cares about and has feelings for others. My age recommendation for elephant in the garden is 10+. If you like historical, intense books you’ll like this book. I hope this helped you find a good book to read.

reading it now such a good book for lots of people fun to read :)

I am reading it for BOB please dont spoil i want to know what happens but whenever i look on here people spoil

Ellbell2013 Ellbell2013

( adding onto seaturtle's review) This book is very descriptive and I personally could not put the book down I enjoyed it so much

This is based in Germany in the early 1900's, where America and Britain are attacking Germany. A woman who works at the zoo is told that if they bomb the town, they'll have to kill the animals. But she loves this one elephant, and decides to bring him home. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!