The Magician's Elephant

Title: The Magician's Elephant

Author: Kate DiCamillo

ISBN: 9780763644109

Summary

Peter Augustus Duchene, 10 year-old, is an orphan. He is under the guardianship of an old solider named Vilna Lutz. One day, Peter walked into a fortuneteller's tent and asked the questions he always wanted to ask. He wants to know if his sister still alive, and how can he find her if she is alive. The fortuneteller tells Peter that he has to follow the elephant, who will lead the way. This is confusing to Peter because where can he finds an elephant. Next day, Peter went to the market place to buy breads and fishes as his guardian instructed. While waiting in line, he heard a rumor about an elephant felling through the ceiling of the opera home while a magician performing his magic.

Review

I like this book better than Kate DiCamillo's award-winning book, the Tale of the Despereaux. I think this is because I do not like talking animal. Of course, both are excellent books. I like some characters of this book. Every time when the singing beggar came in and sang the line into songs, it pleases me. I think it adds some humors to the desperate atmosphere throughout the book. I also like Leo Matienne's personality, a very positive character. It balances out the desperate atmosphere.