← Back to search
Cover of The Magician's Elephant

The Magician's Elephant

Kate DiCamillo (2001)

SubgenreMiddle Grade Fantasy
Age groupMiddle Grade 8-12
Content ratingPG
Pages204 (Quick Read (<250))
SettingSecondary World
CSM age8
Goodreads3.87/5 (27575)

Content levels

ViolenceMild
Sexual contentNone
LanguageNone

Hero archetypes

Orphan

Protagonist archetypes

QuestComing-of-Age Protagonist

Synopsis

What if? Why not? Could it be? When a fortune teller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchenne knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortune teller's mysterious answer (an elephant! An elephant will lead you there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it’s true. With atmospheric illustrations by fine artist Yoko Tanaka, here is a dreamlike and captivating tale that could only be told by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo. In this timeless fable, she evokes the largest of themes – hope and belonging, desire and compassion – with the lightness of a magician’s touch.

Tags

Magical RealismLiterary FantasyFableClassic Middle Grade