Reviewer: Amy Lignor
Title: The Magician's Elephant
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publisher: Candlewick Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-7636-4410-9
Release Date: September 2009
Genre/Sub-genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 12 and up
OUAR’s Age/Grade Recommendation: 10 and up (Honestly, Children and Adults of All Ages Should Read This)
Year/Setting: End of the century before last in the city of Baltese...
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Content Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None/Minimal
Kate's Website: www.katedicamillo.com
Dear Readers:
Hockey players smell the ice because it’s what they truly love to be around. I smell the pages of a new book; the crisp black ink and the slightly sweet and bitter scent of the glue on the brand new – untouched – binding, because this is what I truly love to be around. There is a reason for books which we forget about in this world of Twitter, MySpace, and video games, and that reason, is power. Kate DiCamillo, The Newberry Medal winner for her Tales Of Despereaux, has once again awakened that power in my soul. The Magician’s Elephant is absolutely, without a doubt, a stunning example of why human beings need to read.
There is a cast of characters, with the main, being a young boy by the name of Peter. He lives with an old soldier named Vilna Lutz, who took Peter in after his parents passed away. Peter goes to the market one morning to buy food for their meager household. Instead, he spends his money on a fortuneteller whose answer to his heart-wrenching question is, "An elephant! An elephant will lead you there!" We are then introduced to a magician who has, literally, produced the trick of all tricks, and has ended up in jail for it.
One by one we meet the Countess Quintet, who wants her own brand of fame in the small town of Baltese; Madame LaVaughn, who wants justice; Leo Matienne and his wife Gloria, who want all dreams to be possible; Tomas, the beggar, and his dog Iddo, who know more than anyone can possibly imagine about what's happening around them; as well as a Sister who wishes to fly, and a caretaker named Hans who wishes to remember.
I can go on and on with this review because there is more meaning, adventure, love, peace, and beauty in these 201 pages than in any five-hundred page tome I’ve ever read. For adults, for children, teens, seniors…this is the book that will fill your heart with the belief of pure magic.
The only way to end this is by using the words of this fantastic writer: "Magic is always impossible…It begins with the impossible and ends with the impossible and is impossible in between. That is why it is magic." This book is just that…pure magic. The words are perfect, and the illustrations provided by Yoko Tanaka, make The Magician’s Elephant truly unforgettable. I will read this again and again.
If you're looking for beauty to add to your life and your mind...pick this up immediately and, as always, enjoy!
Until Next Time, Amy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Amy know.
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