Cover of An elephant in the garden

An elephant in the garden

by Michael Morpurgo

Reading Level 5-6 Moderate (Lvl 3) Ages 9-12

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

During the chaos of World War II, Lizzie and Karl's family hides a young elephant named Marlene in their garden to protect her from the dangers of war. As they embark on a perilous journey to escape the bombed city, their courage and compassion are tested, especially with an elephant in tow. Along the way, unexpected friendships and acts of bravery reveal the power of kindness in the darkest times.

Representation & Themes

FamilyHistoricalWar & ConflictFriendshipAnimalsSurvival

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 3 — Moderate
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Content Flags

War & Conflict Physical Danger Fear & Anxiety Loss & Grief
Data confidence: high

Details

ISBN
9780312593698
Pages
199
Published
2011
Type
Fiction
Word Count
36,073
Lexile
890L

Genres

Juvenile Fiction

Subjects

ElephantsJuvenile fictionHistoryWorld War, 1939-1945Fiction