Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
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.
Is The Magician's Elephant appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 8 and up.
A gentle, magical fable about an orphan boy searching for his lost sister with the help of a mysterious elephant. Contains mild peril and themes of parental loss, but no violence, romance, or scary content—perfect for middle grade readers who love heartwarming stories.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death of parent and abandonment.
Who'll love this
Kids will love this dreamlike adventure about a boy who follows a magical elephant to find his missing sister in a mysterious city.