First published 2010
It's 1944 in Dresden, and zookeeper Elizabeth's family has bonded with Marlene, an orphaned elephant. When the animals must be put down to prevent chaos during bombings, Elizabeth's mother convinces the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their backyard instead. But as the city comes under attack, the family is forced to flee with thousands of others, Marlene in tow. Navigating the treacherous journey, they encounter a Canadian navigator willing to risk his own safety to help the family reach safety. With an elephant in their care, the family must find the courage and compassion to make it through the devastation of war.
Genres: animals, historical-fiction, 20th-century, war
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Dresden (Germany), Germany
Period: Bombardment, 1945
224 pages · Paperback
Content warnings: war