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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I have loved other books by Sloan, especially Counting By 7’s and To Night Owl From Dog Fish. This one didn’t do much for me. It felt a little phoned-in. There were too many issues (circus elephants, immigration, gender wage gap, grief, autism, and an absent parent) and not enough fleshing out of the story. The perspective also shifted from the humans to animals in an odd way. Overall, it fell flat for me. Read for Middle Grade Book Club.
What a beautiful story. It had me sobbing in the last two chapters. Have the tissues ready.
An absolutely delightful and beautiful book. Can’t recommend it enough.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5
Sila's mother needed to return to Turkey to clear up some immigration paperwork issues, but that was a year ago. Sila and her father miss her, but talk to her often and are doing their best to stay happy in the wait. When her father gets called for a car repair out of town, Sila tags along and they meet a nice, generous, retired lottery winner (who also happens to be the widower of one of Sila's past teachers). These three become quick friends, and while out to breakfast one day, the man buys an elephant, Veda, from a closing circus. At school, Sila has been enrolled in a program for students who seem lonely and she is partnered with Mateo, a boy who rarely speaks. As the story moves on, Sila and Mateo convince their respective parents to allow them to care for Veda during the summer.
This is such an uplifting read. What could be better than preteen kids becoming friends through unusual circumstances, with a sweet elephant and grandfather figure thrown in too?
Sila's mother needed to return to Turkey to clear up some immigration paperwork issues, but that was a year ago. Sila and her father miss her, but talk to her often and are doing their best to stay happy in the wait. When her father gets called for a car repair out of town, Sila tags along and they meet a nice, generous, retired lottery winner (who also happens to be the widower of one of Sila's past teachers). These three become quick friends, and while out to breakfast one day, the man buys an elephant, Veda, from a closing circus. At school, Sila has been enrolled in a program for students who seem lonely and she is partnered with Mateo, a boy who rarely speaks. As the story moves on, Sila and Mateo convince their respective parents to allow them to care for Veda during the summer.
This is such an uplifting read. What could be better than preteen kids becoming friends through unusual circumstances, with a sweet elephant and grandfather figure thrown in too?
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"The Elephant in the Room" is a positive, and feel-good kind of book. Written for young children but I enjoyed reading it as a 40+yo. The pacing was good, and full of positivity. Life sometimes throws us lemons, but beautiful things are still aplenty around us. Will definitely read this with my 7yo together.
4.5-
This is another book my daughter read for Battle of the Books and after she read it she insisted I read it as well. I’m really glad I took the time to do so, because this was filled with amazing imagery and a beautiful story.
Sila’s life is different since her mother had to go back to Turkey to fix an immigration issue. It was supposed to be 8 days, but that has stretched into months. Life with her Dad is quiet, school isn’t as fun as it used to be, and time is spent counting the days since her Mom left. All of that changes when Veda, a retired circus elephant, enters her life.
Elephants are my favorite animal and I loved watching Sila interact with Veda; I especially loved the small parts where we got to see things from Veda’s point of view. Veda helped Sila grow as a person throughout the book and the character development was fantastic. The other supporting characters in this book all offer something to the story and to Sila. Gio and Mateo give Sila a different perspective of friendship and what it means to be a friend. This is definitely one that should be on the radar of every parent or teacher of a middle schooler.
This is another book my daughter read for Battle of the Books and after she read it she insisted I read it as well. I’m really glad I took the time to do so, because this was filled with amazing imagery and a beautiful story.
Sila’s life is different since her mother had to go back to Turkey to fix an immigration issue. It was supposed to be 8 days, but that has stretched into months. Life with her Dad is quiet, school isn’t as fun as it used to be, and time is spent counting the days since her Mom left. All of that changes when Veda, a retired circus elephant, enters her life.
Elephants are my favorite animal and I loved watching Sila interact with Veda; I especially loved the small parts where we got to see things from Veda’s point of view. Veda helped Sila grow as a person throughout the book and the character development was fantastic. The other supporting characters in this book all offer something to the story and to Sila. Gio and Mateo give Sila a different perspective of friendship and what it means to be a friend. This is definitely one that should be on the radar of every parent or teacher of a middle schooler.
A story that feels like a warm fuzzy blanket offering comfort to all who read and engage in the characters' journey. Each character has an achy heart that is healed by helping one another even Veda the elephant. Follow along as Sila begins the story longing for her mother who has been separated from her due to immigration issues and fall in love with this tale of justice, hope, and kindness.