Today’s book recommendations are thematic—for big-hearted elephant-loving readers.
Love, Loss, Elephants…
One Amazing Elephant by Linda Oatman High is the poignant tale of twelve-year-old Lily Pruitt mourning the death of her grandfather with the help of his circus elephant, Queenie Grace.
“Alternating between the points of view of Lily and Queenie Grace, this affecting novel brings readers to the very heart of two characters—one two-footed, one four-footed—who ache, heal, love, and find the value of unlikely friendships.”
I’d call One Amazing Elephant a poignant, light read—as appropriate for adults as children.
While reading One Amazing Elephant this week, I couldn’t help but remember this next book—one that has stayed with me in my bones.
Leaving Time, by Jodi Picoult is an adult novel with the very same themes of loss, loss, elephants and friendship plus a paranormal element (one main character is a psychic) and an amazing plot twist at the end. Far from a light read, it has the emotional intensity for which Jodi Picoult is known. Jodi, more than any other author I have ever read, has a gift for placing conflicting points of view about “hot topics” side by side, and honoring them both.
Leaving Time is a gripping, page-turner packing an emotional wallop.
Both books made me want to go out and find a job at an elephant preserve. These wise, family oriented, matriarchal animals seem to hold a capacity for grieving like our own.
May the world become a place where elephants can live, untroubled by poachers or mistreatment from humans! At the end of One Amazing Elephant is a list of on-line resources to learn more about elephants and those working on their behalf.
Happy Reading!