An Elephant in the Garden: Inspired by a True Story

"Young Lizzie's story (differentiated from the framing tale by typeface change) is quick-paced and moving, and her teenage viewpoint is believable..." —BCCB

"Morpurgo crafts a thought-provoking and perilous encounter with an enemy combatant who joins their party and eventually forges a believable romance with Lizzie." —Publishers Weekly

"Readers . . . can't help but be drawn into the tale of survival told in An Elephant in the Garden, which is loosely based on a real event from World War II." —BookPage

"The calm, steady tone is engaging, appropriate, and will appeal to a wide range of readers." —VOYA

"The occasional interruptions to the story build suspense and add a layer of resonance to Morpurgo's poignant and thoughtful exploration of the terrible impact of war on both sides of the fighting." —Booklist

"This well-paced, heartwarming narrative by a master storyteller will appeal to readers on several levels..." —School Library Journal

"Morpurgo's (Kensuke's Kingdom) suspenseful, ultimately tragic novel opens as 18-year-old Tommo Peaceful stays up all night 'to try to remember everything.' ... This is a moving depiction of a loving relationship between two brothers, their lives so linked that readers may wonder until the end whose fate lies in the balance. All in all, a powerful story about war's costs, and who pays the price." —Publishers Weekly, starred review of Private Peaceful

"This searing World War I novel reveals the unspeakable slaughter of soldiers on all sides fighting against people who are just like them...the viewpoint brings close the fury of the thundering guns, the confusion, and the kindness of enemies who come together in No Man's Land to save the wounded horse.... and the terse details speak eloquently about peace." —Booklist for War Horse