The Magician's Elephant

In a highly awaited new novel, Kate DiCamillo conjures a haunting fable about trusting the unexpected -- and making the extraordinary come true. (Ages 7 and up)

What if? Why not? Could it be?

When a fortuneteller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchene knows the questions that he needs to ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortuneteller's mysterious answer (an elephant An elephant will lead him 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 narrated 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.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 09/08/2009
ISBN: 9780763644109
Pages: 208
Weight: 0.68lbs
Size: 7.76h x 5.58w x 0.76d
Award: Kentucky Bluegrass Award - Nominee
Award: Colorado Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Massachusetts Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Minnesota Book Award - Winner
Award: Delaware Diamonds Award - Nominee
Award: Delaware Diamonds Award - Nominee
Award: Flicker Tale Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Parents Choice Awards (Fall) (2008-Up) - Recommended

Review Citations: Booklist 07/01/2009 pg. 63
Voice of Youth Advocates 08/01/2009 - Recommended - Better Than Most
School Library Journal 08/01/2009 pg. 102
Kirkus Review - Children 08/01/2009
Publishers Weekly 08/17/2009 pg. 63
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2009 pg. 557
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2009
New York Times Book Review 12/06/2009 pg. 46
New York Times Book Review 12/13/2009 pg. 26
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2010 pg. 13
ALA Notable Children's Books 03/01/2010 pg. 26
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2010 - Superior,Well Above Average
Foreword 08/17/2009
BookPage 09/01/2009

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 133242 / Magician's Elephant
Reading Level: 5 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 4