The Magician's Elephant

DiCamillo, Kate. (2009). Massachussetts: Candlewick Press.978-0-7636-4410-9

PLOT SUMMARY

Peter Duchene is an orphan training to be a soldier. He was told that his sister died when she was born, but he's not sure that's the truth. At the market one day he spends his guardians money on a fortune teller who tells him that an elephant will lead him to his sister who still lives. Naturally there are no elephants in his town, until a magician comes along and produces an elephant out of thin air. Peter works to get access to the magician and elephant so that he and his sister can be reunited.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

While the story ultimately ends happily, the tone throughout the book is somewhat somber. The fantastical nature of the story can contribute some humor at times. For example, an elephant landing in a lady's lap without killing her, but only crippling her is an outrageous idea, yet in keeping with the nature of the story.

Peter's quest to find his sister makes the reader sympathetic to his plight of loneliness and feeling that he has no connection to the world. He is a sensitive boy who is not cut out for a life of soldiering, and readers can certainly feel for a character who is forced to do something simply because they are told to do it.

The illustrations have a gray softness to them which is in keeping with the someber tone of the story.

READER'S ANNOTATION

Ten year old Peter is committed to a life of soldiering even though he is small, sensitive, and does not enjoy it. He is an orphan in the care of a guardian who was once a friend of his father, also a soldier. Something nags at his brain, an idea, a thought, and he goes to a fortune teller one day who tells him that not only is his sister alive, but that an elephant will lead him to her. There are certainly no random elephants in his town, that is, until a magician produces one out of thin air only to land himself in jail, and the elephant under lock and key. Peter must find a way to get him to help lead him to his sister.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate DiCamillo was born in Philadelphia, but moved to Florida when she was a child because of her chronic pneumonia. She is a children's author of several novels, the Mercy Watson chapter book series, and picture books. She has won awards for her novels Because of Winn Dixie and The Tale of Desperaux. The Magician's Elephant is her most current novel.

GENRE

Fantasy

CURRICULUM TIES

English

A good example of a story driven book. Students can discuss the various elements of style and story.

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

Emphasize the quest for something that has been missing all your life. How would you feel if you no longer had any family to care for you, or for you to care for?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

12-16

CHALLENGE ISSUES

none

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

While the tone is somewhat somber, it is a well written and enjoyable story and I like his dedication to finding his sister even though he has no real proof that she's still alive other than what the fortune teller told him, and the feeling he has in his heart.