I've got to be honest with you: I didn't expect much from this book. I've read a couple of Kate DiCamillo's other books, and while I thought they were cute, they didn't really stick with me. This one, however, is magical.

The Magician's Elephant tells the story of Peter Augustus Duchene and his search for the truth: is his sister alive or dead? He asks a fortune teller this question, and is startled by the answer: "Follow the elephant." But there are no elephants in the town of Baltese; that is, until the magician conjures one that falls through the ceiling of the opera house.

DiCamillo writes in lyrical prose (some of these sentences are absolutely beautiful) and introduces us to colorful characters that each play a special role in helping Peter find the truth.

This book is nothing short of beautiful; the prose, the illustrations (by Yoko Tanaka), and the story are gorgeous. I was bold enough to turn to my husband when I finished reading last night (in one sitting, I might add) and say, "Our kids will read this book someday." And how do I know that? Because I'm going to read it to them. ( )

I loved this book. The language is beautiful. I was drawn in to magic and mystery of it all. ( )

Peter Duchene, orphan, is told by a fortuneteller that his sister is alive, and that an elephant will lead him to her. A magician, intending lilies, wrongly summons an elephant through the roof of the Bliffendorf Opera House, crushing Madam LaVaugn's legs. And so begins a chain of events Peter hopes will end in a reunion with his sister, Adele. ( )

While it's as beautifully written as all of DiCamillo's books are, this one felt like it would work a little better for older kids than her usual age range. ( )

Peter Augustus Duchene held a coin that did not belong to him. It was the property of his guardian, an old soldier named Vilna Lutz. Vilna had sent Peter to buy fish and bread. But in the market there was a fortune teller and Peter was torn. The honest thing is to buy the bread. But he needed the answer to one burning question. And that question was, Is My Sister Still Alive? According to Vilna she was stillborn, but Peter wasn’t sure.

The magician was old and his reputation was falling. Performing in the Bliffendorf Opera House that night, he wanted to do something more wonderful, more magic than he has ever done before. And he did. Rather than bringing forth a bouquet of lilies, he brought forth an elephant, crashing through the roof and crushing Madam LaVaughn’s legs, confining her to a life in a wheelchair.

Adele has always lived in the Orphanage of the Sisters of Perpetual Light. She knows no other home. Soon after the incident in the Bliffendorf Opera House, she begins dreaming of elephants knocking at the door of the orphanage.

Leo Matienne is a policeman. He lives below Peter Augustus Duchene in the Apartments Polonaise. He is not a man who accepts what is. He is a man who asks “What if?”

How these people’s lives intersect at the “end of the century before last”, in the city of Baltese is so wonderfully told in Kate DiCamillo’s newest book, The Magician’s Elephant. I believe it is her best book to date and can’t wait to put it into my personal library. The way she words the book, the way she describes the events and the city is amazing. The story is heartwarming. The drawings by Yoko Tanaka are excellent and add so much to the book. The Magician’s Elephant is a book for all ages, not just children. It talks about life and family and honesty. It makes you believe in fairytale endings. It makes you wonder. Whether you read the book by yourself or read it aloud to someone else, the proper thing to do is make sure you read The Magician’s Elephant. ( )