Super Short Summary

An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo follows the story of Lizzie, who recounts her family's experience during WWII in Dresden, Germany. Lizzie's mother, Mutti, brings home an elephant named Marlene from the zoo to protect her from being killed. The family becomes refugees during the firebombing of Dresden and encounters a Canadian airman, Peter, who helps them. Lizzie and Peter eventually fall in love. As they flee westward, Marlene becomes a crucial part of their journey. Years later, Lizzie, now in a nursing home in Canada, recounts her tale to a young boy named Karl, ultimately proving her story's truth to him. The book contains references to wartime violence and persecution.