An Elephant in the Garden

It’s 1944. Elizabeth’s father is fighting with the German army on the Eastern front. Meanwhile, her mother works at Dresden zoo, where her favourite animal is a young elephant named Marlene. When the zoo director tells her that all 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! But then the bombs hit Dresden in a hail of deadly fire. With their home destroyed, Elizabeth and her family must flee the bombed-out city and race through the wintry landscape, avoiding the Russian troops who are drawing ever closer. It would be hard enough – even without an elephant in tow!

This heart-stopping novel from one of Britain’s greatest storytellers tells the thrilling and moving story of a wild animal caught up in a very human war.

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Recent reviews

fantasticmissfox

loved it

When Elizabeth’s dad leaves to join the war it seems like the end of a happy dream. Their mother works at the local zoo where she cares for a baby elephant Marlene. One birthday her mother brings Marlene home saying that the animals were to be shot if Dresden was bombed so she has brought Marlene home to look after her. This is the start of many adventures. A passionate story, very deep with many surprises. Loved it.

5 March 2014
Magicme11

loved it

Ah,I LOVE this book so much!!I love it really and would think ages 8-12 would LOVEE it!

14 June 2013
Nashdasher

loved it

You get a feeling what it is like in world war two although it’s sad there is always some excitement.

8 March 2013
evil-penguin

This book is absolutely great, it really thinks about what it would be like to live in the time of World War two, and although this book is sometimes sad, there is always an exciting or funny thing going to happen just around the corner! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read abou World War two, and myself I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

4 March 2013
totalbookworm

Great book. May be one of the bests by Michael morpugo ever. Very gripping.

2 March 2013

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Authors

Michael Morpurgo

Master storyteller Michael Morpurgo has written over 100 books for children, and has won a multitude of awards as well as serving as Children’s Laureate from 2003-2005.

Awards

Michael was the Children’s Laureate 2003-2005, and has won many awards including The Whitbread Prize For The Wreck of the Zanzibar, the Smarties prize for The Butterfly Lion the Blue Peter Award for Private Peaceful and the Red House award for Shadow.