The Magician's Elephant

Gr 4—6—When a fortuneteller informs Peter Augustus Duchene, a 10-year-old orphan, that his younger sister is alive, a magical tale unfolds, interweaving the lives of unusual of characters including an elephant that inexplicably crashes through the roof of the opera house as a result of a magic trick gone wrong. This sometimes mysterious and shadowy, but ultimately hopeful tale reminds us that even in the darkest of times, all is not lost. Written by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, this superb tale (Candlewick, 2009) is another example of her exceptional storytelling skills. Juliet Stevenson brings the haunting tale to life with a brilliant repertoire of voices that creates the illusion of a multicast performance. This tale is meant to be listened to and is sure to be appreciated and treasured by listeners.—Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY