2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo.

Pages: 199 pages

Length: 1 month (January)

Participants: SarahKat, Beth, Lina2

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

Can't wait to read this book with everyone! ☺️
So far, all books about WWI or WWII that I've read I've really liked, I guess these kind of topics just touch me easily. And this book is intriguing because of the elephant, I'm not really sure what to expect. Really looking forward to it and just hope it's not too sad.

Hi ladies!

I agree Lina, I enjoy most historical fiction I read, though WWII is a little over-saturated in my opinion. I've read a couple of different stories or books surrounding elephants or zoos during WWII or other human vs. human interactions where the animals suffer. Some of the accounts have made me sick to my stomach.

Like you, I hope it's not too sad. Hoping since it's middle grade it won't be too heartbreaking!

Not sure when I'll start this. It's on KU so I'll pick it up when I have a break in library ebooks.

SarahKat wrote: "Hi ladies!

I agree Lina, I enjoy most historical fiction I read, though WWII is a little over-saturated in my opinion. I've read a couple of different stories or books surrounding elephants or zoo..."

I think wars and other crisis situations really bring out the true nature of people, and yes it can sometimes be sickening. Sadly.

Yes, I'm also not sure when I'll start, I have two arc deadlines before I can start this one. I guess we can just also start on our own times and just be careful about marking or avoiding spoilers, right?

I started today and made it through Part 1. (view spoiler)[This is the story I figured it would be. The bombing of the Dresden zoo. I've read a few other accounts of this particular one where they decide to kill the dangerous animals so they wouldn't get free and hurt people. It's horrible.

Not much has happened yet other than the setup to the story. But I'm interested. I wonder how Lizzie's story will affect Karl and his mom. I also wonder how Mutti's decision to protect the elephant will affect her family. They already feel like she loves Marlene more than them. (hide spoiler)]

I just reread this in 2024. It was 4 stars for me both times. No spoilers in my reviews (not long: I added some new things and left the old one at the bottom. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nice review Karin!

Through part 2: (view spoiler)[I am glad this is middle grade so the heartbreaking and really difficult stuff isn't quite as sharp as it could be. The family running through the forest to escape the bombs knowing their home and friends are going to be mostly gone was horrible. I like Marlene, The author writes elephants well. (hide spoiler)]

SarahKat wrote: "Nice review Karin!

Through part 2: [spoilers removed]"

Thanks. I agree with what you wrote in the spoiler.

Prior to starting
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
It's an elephant. In a garden! Unlike Sarah, I haven't read anything previously about animals or zoos during WWII, so this is new territory for me, and it sounds interesting.

Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?
First time for me with this author.

Starting today.

Sarah, I completely agree with your thought about this being a more palatable read because of it being middle grade. (view spoiler)[The family's experience with the Dresden bombing and their escape afterwards would no doubt have been much more gruesome in an adult novel. (hide spoiler)]

Mid-read
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
I can relate closely to both Elizabeth and Mutti. I've been a teenaged girl and a mom, so it's a natural fit for me to have an affinity for these characters. And my name is Elizabeth! So that helps, too. 😉

Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?
Anything and everything to do with Marlene.

After reading
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
I have a love-hate relationship with (view spoiler)[the happy ending (hide spoiler)]. Again, I think that speaks to it being a middle grade novel. In a novel geared more towards adults, (view spoiler)[there could have been a much more disasterous result (hide spoiler)].

Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?
Not really. It solidified that the world can be a crappy horrible place, and the people we're with can lift us up and make our journey more bearable. And when we allow ourselves to be open, we can find amazing new people.

I really enjoyed this book! It reminded me in tone of The War That Saved My Life, which I highly recommend. I loved Marlene, and her relationship with the family, particularly Karli.

Thanks for suggesting this one!

Beth wrote: "Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?
Anything and everything to do with Marlene."

Agreed!

Just finished Part 3: (view spoiler)[I was very concerned about Karli's fate when he falls in the water. I love that Peter didn't even think twice about helping him. And I thought Mutti not only tolerating his presence but actively protecting him from the police was beautiful.
I always appreciate these stories set in a war where two people come together that are told to hate the other but then they just see each other as human beings. It's an overused trope, but one I don't mind.
Peter has a point about Marlene drawing attention to them as they try to get west. I am very concerned for this elephant and all the people. (hide spoiler)]

This is a great book so far. My son just did a unit on WWII in literature (7th grade) and they had different groups reading middle-grade books about it. I asked him if this was on the list and it wasn't, but Boy in the Striped Pajamas was. This is much better in my opinion.

Finished! Beth I agree (view spoiler)[about the ending. I was happy for everyone but it was very unrealistic. I was expecting Karli or Peter or Marlene to die. The other issue apart from it being a way-too-happy ending is it wrapped up really quickly. Love-hate relationship with that too I guess. (hide spoiler)]

It didn't change my perception, but (view spoiler)[I read the author's note at the end that this is actually based on a story from the Belfast Zoo in the UK. I think it's interesting that the author chose to set the book in Germany, making the Allied forces the "bad guys" to this family. I think that added another layer to the theme of right/wrong good/bad. (hide spoiler)]

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is on their reading list? Hooo boy howdy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy...

Criticising the book's accuracy, the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum commented in 2020 that the novel "should be avoided by anyone who studies or teaches about the Holocaust."

Beth wrote: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is on their reading list? Hooo boy howdy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy...

Criticising the book's accuracy, th..."

Yep I read that article after I read the book a few years ago and hated it, for a lot of reasons. I'm surprised they had it on the list. My son wasn't in that reading group though; he read Maus. I told him all the issues about The Boy in the Striped Pajamas so he knows about it if he ever does have to read it.

I almost want to email his teacher with that article and my personal recommendation of this book, but I don't want to be *that* person.

SarahKat wrote: "I almost want to email his teacher with that article and my personal recommendation of this book, but I don't want to be *that* person."

Once in a while it's okay to be *that* person if it's done diplomatically; not sure how to do that in an email, though, but perhaps after your son has passed the grade. I say this even though there were many times I didn't speak up for that sort of garbage when my kids were in public high school (it's not for nothing they homeschooled for a number of years--not everyone has that option, of course, nor is it for everyone :) ; that sort if inaccuracy was one of a host of reasons.)

Agree with Karin!

And MAUS is a much better choice.

I'm not done reading the book yet, but I just want to encourage Sarah to send that email! I don't know the character of that particular teacher of course, nor the education system in your country. But I worked as a language and literature teacher in Lithuania. Back then we had pre-made and pre-approved literature lists to follow and refer to, but, honestly, I've switched books in or out more than once. Also, with so many books available and being published, I think that teacher might not be aware of the problems with The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

My thoughts on the book.

Finished part 1. (view spoiler)[ So far, I like it. I have been feeling lately, for almost a year tbh, that I have been reading a lot of books with a lot of bad writing/ insufficient editing ruining good stories (probably because I've read a lot of indie arcs). And so I am now really happy to read what seems like a great story and know it is written well.

This book has made me feel somewhat stupid (not in a bad way) for two reasons:
1. Somehow, I never really thought about what happens to animals during wars. Wars terrify me because of all the "casual" cruelty and loss on all opposing sides, especially civilian people. And of course, there are also always wild, domestic, farm, and zoo animals there, and now my mind is just spinning wildly with thoughts about them.
2. I like reading middle-grade or ya books for their easier, simpler language. I'd take that over some classic written in posh English any time. And maybe that makes me stupid or uneducated, but maybe that's just English not being my first language. And I either have to accept and live with it or possibly look into some further English classes, because 12 years at school didn't prepare me for old classics 😂

This unrelated rant is over now, lol.

So far I wish the emotional interior of Mutter was explored a bit more (even though I understand the pov is that of the girl). There must be a lot of complex feelings there: possible grief, the responsibilities of taking care of the kids and probably sheltering them from the more difficult feelings, fear about the looming danger, stress and care about the animals from the zoo, and possibly some misplaced feelings about the elephant, maybe some anger, etc etc. I guess exploring all of that would make this an adult book, but honestly, I wouldn't mind reading that, instead of filling in the gaps myself.

Although, if a book makes me think this much, it's a good sign for me. (hide spoiler)]

Finished part 2. (view spoiler)[ Yes, they do indeed explore the mother’s feelings a little bit, and I am glad they do.

What a terrible experience it must have been to flee their home and beloved city, watch it burn, feel the heat of the fire reaching them from far away, seeing all the other people suffering. Can’t imagine it, and I can only hope me and my loved ones never have to experience that (it might be egoistic for me to say so, but it’s the truth). I am glad to be learning about it from the safety of the book, however privileged or wrong it may sound. (hide spoiler)]

Parts 3 and 4: (view spoiler)[ In part 3 I was really hoping Lizzie and Peter would not fall in love... I know back in the day it was kind of regular for younger girls to marry (I think my grandma told me that there was someone in her family who got married 15 y.o. and had like 11 children) but I do wonder if 16 was legal age already, and if they even cared... or am I just reading too much into these things from the perspective of the time we live in now.

I mean, I guess I am happy that in the end Peter at least didn't do anything untoward, and they got married and were happily so for many years. It still made me uncomfortable.

Part 4 made me wonder how much of this story is based on real life, and how many of the events happening were kind of lucky just for the sake of the plot. (hide spoiler)]

I enjoyed the book nevertheless.

Lina, English is my first language, and I also prefer middle grade/YA books for their simpler language. :)

I just saw that Lina is reading this Book and it sounds really intriguing to me! I have a look if I can squeeze this book in later this week.
I am from germany and do visit a friend of mine that lives in Dresden once a month.

I hope I´ll like it - I´m already not a fan that (as it seems) the protagonists name is Lizzi - since it isn´t really a german nickname for Elizabeth (or Elisabeth - what would be the right spelling in german). Lischen, Betty or Elli would have been more accurate.
Or better said I just get easily annoyed when a non german author tries to write a book that is set in germany and already fails at the names - but I´ll try to overlook that.

@Sarah Boy in the striped pyjama in middle grade? Go on, be that person, I won´t judge - I have to say I´ve only seen the movie in high school but not looking at the fact that the story makes readers/viewers feel more empathy with Bruno instead of the jews this is another example of a story where I was annoyed at the name - Shmuel is a jewish name - yes - but I remember doing some research back then because I was so confused by the name - and Shmuel as a name is more widespread in isreal I think than in germany. The german version of Shmuel is Samuel. And I´m not saying that not a single person back then was named Shmuel but I´d say the probability that young boys in germany back then were named Samuel is greater.

Ok - I´m done with ranting about names and will come back here when I started the book!

Alina wrote: "I just saw that Lina is reading this Book and it sounds really intriguing to me! I have a look if I can squeeze this book in later this week.
I am from germany and do visit a friend of mine that li..."

It's true about the names. It's easy for people not from a country, or even people within a country not familiar enough with an area to make mistakes like that.

Oooh, I love Lischen as a nickname! I've always been Beth, but I may force everyone to call me Lischen from now on. 😍

Perhaps I'll send an email when my son is done with that class. They are done with that unit anyway and I would hate to make her dislike my kid (even subconsciously) because I called her teaching into question, even though I will do it nicely and respectfully of course.

Lina, English is my only language and I love middle grade books. I don't mind reading classics, but I definitely have to try harder to enjoy them. Middle grade/YA books are just so easy to jump in and out of!

Alina, I hope you enjoy the book even with its inaccuracies. I guess depending on how many there are it might be hard to get past. I find that with some books that try to be set in my state or surrounding ones and they just have no clue what it's actually like.

Beth wrote: "Lina, English is my first language, and I also prefer middle grade/YA books for their simpler language. :)"

@Beth and @SarahKat, haha, thank you for saying this, it makes me feel somewhat better!

@Alina, thank you for commenting from a German perspective, it was really interesting to read. I wonder if the author chose Lizzie as an "English" nickname, providing that she (view spoiler)[later moved to Canada and we meet her character first in the nursing home outside of Germany, and she speaks English to Karl and his mother, the nurse. (hide spoiler)] But I also agree that it would have been nicer if a German nickname was chosen.

There's one Lithuanian book that got quite famous at one time. Also about WWII, about Lithuanian experience with Russian occupation. The author is a second generation American Lithuanian, and so everyone kind of hoped she'd get things right, but no, there were so many inaccuracies, people were really agitated. It was quite funny to read some of the more dramatically angry reviews, I remember. 😁 It's an interesting discussion, I think, how accurate fiction books should be. I guess, a lot depends on the subject, like in this instance, when it is about war and supposedly based on a real story, you'd expect a bit more of it.

I do hope you enjoy the book, Alina!

@Beth, should we all address you as Lischen now? 🙂

this is my review

A lot of it is the same as what I wrote here, in the post above. Plus some additional small thoughts.

I just finished the book.

At first I wanted to read it in german but then I just thought, since the author is english I´ll read it in english.
I did enjoy the story and really got into thinking with everything that is happening in the world right now.
However I wish I had just read the book in german because almost everytime when Lizzi said something in german it was either misspelled or gramatically wrong and that really annoyed me.

Also I was struggling if I should put it in my "based-on-true-events"- shelve since this story really is more inspired by a true event then actually based on it.

Alina wrote: "I just finished the book.

At first I wanted to read it in german but then I just thought, since the author is english I´ll read it in english.
I did enjoy the story and really got into thinking w..."

I wonder if someone used an online translator for the German--those are not reliable. Someone should have found a German speaker (as in from a German speaking country) to read those prior to publication.

Karin wrote: "I wonder if someone used an online translator for the German--those are not reliable. Someone should have found a German speaker (as in from a German speaking country) to read those prior to publication."

Gosh, this makes me rethink things, because I actually use google translate a lot to learn Italian language. 😂 I do not have many other resources available to me at this time, except for whatever's available on the internet.
I mean, not that I intend to use it in writing a book, but still.

LinaVer wrote: "Karin wrote: "I wonder if someone used an online translator for the German--those are not reliable. Someone should have found a German speaker (as in from a German speaking country) to read those p..."

Yes, avoid it like the plague for learning a language as you'll learn many incorrect things. As you may already know given where you live, translating languages isn't simple since there isn't often a word for word way to translate things. Even when I know what something means in a different language sometimes I have a difficult time getting it to translate correctly!

Here is one list of online classes https://www.fluentu.com/blog/learn/be...-- my kids did Rosetta Stone back when it was done via DVDs, but then switched to a regular "brick and mortar" school. Duolingo is a popular free one, but it wasn't out when my kids were schooled at home so I've never tried it. If you can manage to snag a textbook to help you learn that is a plus.

I'm guessing that any of these are better than Google translate, but have no idea how good.

Karin wrote: "LinaVer wrote: "Karin wrote: "I wonder if someone used an online translator for the German--those are not reliable. Someone should have found a German speaker (as in from a German speaking country)..."

Thank you for sharing all the resources, Karin. I've tried Duolingo and it didn't stick with me. I am not sure if that's already changed, but when I had it several years ago, I was learning a lot of unnecessary sentences such as "The fox ate the apple". I mean, not that I mind knowing how to say "a fox" in Italian, but how often will I actually need it in my everyday conversations?

I am now at a somewhat confident beginner level and can understand a simple conversation or written text, and that's what I mostly use to learn - reading. Every now and then I need to translate unknown words, and that's what I use the google translate for. I think so far I've been in the "safe zone" so to say because I understand the context of what I am reading about, but yeah, you never know...

LinaVer wrote: "Karin wrote: "LinaVer wrote: "Karin wrote: "I wonder if someone used an online translator for the German--those are not reliable. Someone should have found a German speaker (as in from a German spe..."

Thanks--as I said, I'd never even seen Duolingo and I can't say I'm surprised it's not as helpful. It sounds like it's geared more toward kids learning the basics and less practical for people in normal conversation.

There are online dictionaries for different languages that are better than Google translate, but I've not checked for Italian.