The Magician's Elephant

Beautiful, magical, a perfect book. 2010-08-25

Reviewer: Maggie Hasbrouck

I loved this book from the very first page. My 12 year old daughter and I were completely mesmerized. A perfect read aloud book if you don't mind some tears. Everything about this timeless, enchanting book is perfectly crafted. To my mind, a small masterpiece.

The Magician's Elephant 2010-08-05

Reviewer: Jennifer Alderson

I want to start off my review by explaining how much I loved The Tale of Despereaux and The Mirsculous Journey of Edward Tulane (especially the second). Therefore, I must admit being mildly disappointed by this book. If I had not read the other two I would have loved it, but having read them it did not quite live up to their standard. Frankly, the story was beautiful and the characters interesting, but at times the language of the book seemed a tad precious and superficial. It is a very good book that is not quite great. But read it anyway (even if you're an adult); Kate DiCamillo's strength is that she is more heartwarming and thoughtful (at the same time) than the average children's book.

Read Aloud! Kids empowered! 2010-06-12

Reviewer: E. M. Delich

After reading the diverse comments on this book, I think the comment about reading the book aloud makes most sense. This can provide adults brief opportunities to talk about the failings of adults and institutions in the story with children. I disagree that this book is too dark and unhappy for kids. The world is full of adults who fail kids every day. This story has the kids prevail in spite of the hapless adults around them. I agree the adult characters in her other books were just as bad, and often worse. Think of the men and boys in Tiger Rising; even his father wouldn't let him mourn the loss of his mother. The school bullies. The pathetic owner of the tiger. And, in Because of Winn-Dixie "The Preacher" had little time for his daughter. This isn't my favorite book by the author, but I think that is because it is so different. (I didn't read Edward, but all the rest.)

I am easy to please, but this one was more chore than fun to read 2010-05-12

Reviewer: Jadecat

I bought this for my 4th grader daughter. She had read a DiCamillo book in school, and loved it, and the premise of this book sounded promising. I decided to read it aloud and was glad I did, as some of the writing and words were beyond what my daughter could have read and understood. Granted, she isn't a brilliant, gifted reader, but she can handle books in her age group. Still, the story was a bit dreary and moved slowly. The soldier surrogate father, Vilna Lutz, to Peter was just a bit bizarre. I just didn't see how he added to the story. As I read the book, I couldn't envision anything beyond a grey city, constantly dreary where noone was ever really happy. When you read a book and let your imagination picture the scenery, you don't want grey, bleak pictures throughout the story.
I guess that sounds kind of harsh, but it's how we felt. I didn't get the sense that my kid was overly enthralled with the story either, and no, we didn't skim the book, and I didn't color my daughters view of the book while reading it.

cool 2010-03-31

Reviewer: Alan Kipust

i got it from a friend and i started to read it and i did not stop till i was dun