Elephant Secret

Gr 3–6—Samantha Gray is known as the "elephant girl." She lives with her Dad and takes care of the 11 elephants in her family's sanctuary. Raised close with the herd, Sam's ability to connect with the elephants transcends human understanding. In fact, she bonds and interacts with the elephants much better than she does with other humans; especially with her dad's new girlfriend, Joyce. A new elephant with anger issues arrives at the sanctuary and a beloved elephant gives birth to a baby named Woolly—who is not an elephant, but a woolly mammoth cloned from DNA. Walters' depiction of the bond that exists between Sam and her elephants is captivating. The elephants, who are presented as majestic and intelligent creatures with humanlike characteristics and rich emotional lives, will leave readers awestruck. Sam and her father's relationship is also craftily done, exploring the effects of grief and then the sometimes awkward transition as Sam's dad begins dating. Back matter includes a list of suggested reads about elephants, genetics, and the Ice Age.