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A Tale Magnolious
Fans of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate will warm to this story of an orphan and an elephant who band together to save a lovelorn town, relying on an eccentric crew and a couple of miracles along the way.
Nitty Luce is an orphan--and a thief. Magnolious is an elephant--and a fugitive. When the two misfits come face to face in the middle of a blinding dust storm, they form an immediate bond.
But with Nitty hiding a stolen pouch of gleaming green seeds and Mag mere moments from being hanged, the two don't have much time to get to know each other. Escaping into the storm, they end up on a barren farm in Fortune's Bluff, a town withered by a decade of dust storms. While most would be deterred by the farm's curmudgeonly owner, Windle Homes, Nitty sees past his harsh exterior. She promises to bring the farm back to life--with the help of Mag and those little green seeds.
Soon enough, Nitty and Mag are harvesting their first crop, and they're quickly the talk of the town. But as the townspeople become hopeful, the Mayor Neezer Snollygost becomes suspicious.
Will Nitty and Mag be able to save Fortune's Bluff and make a new, safe home for themselves? Doing so might just take a miracle...
Nitty Luce is an orphan--and a thief. Magnolious is an elephant--and a fugitive. When the two misfits come face to face in the middle of a blinding dust storm, they form an immediate bond.
But with Nitty hiding a stolen pouch of gleaming green seeds and Mag mere moments from being hanged, the two don't have much time to get to know each other. Escaping into the storm, they end up on a barren farm in Fortune's Bluff, a town withered by a decade of dust storms. While most would be deterred by the farm's curmudgeonly owner, Windle Homes, Nitty sees past his harsh exterior. She promises to bring the farm back to life--with the help of Mag and those little green seeds.
Soon enough, Nitty and Mag are harvesting their first crop, and they're quickly the talk of the town. But as the townspeople become hopeful, the Mayor Neezer Snollygost becomes suspicious.
Will Nitty and Mag be able to save Fortune's Bluff and make a new, safe home for themselves? Doing so might just take a miracle...
368 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2019
14 people are currently reading
1396 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Nelson
21 books648 followersWhen she was in kindergarten, Suzanne Nelson jotted down in a school keepsake album that she wanted to be a “riter.” Though she clearly had issues with spelling, she persisted, composing cryptic poems about rainbows, fairies, mud, and even "Star Wars" in spiral notebooks all through elementary school. When she was seventeen, she filled four journals with her handwritten first novel, titled “The Dream Keeper.” To escape her chores, she often lied to her parents about what time her shift started at the local fast food joint so that she could spend an extra hour writing in the parking lot in her mom’s faded Buick. Her first published novel was The Sound of Munich, followed by Heart and Salsa, The Ghoul Next Door, Cake Pop Crush, and Dead in the Water. She is a shameless fan of “The Sound of Music,” Hershey’s kisses, Charlotte Bronte, and Jane Austen, and can often be caught daydreaming of romping about gothic castles in lovely Victorian gowns. She was born in New Jersey, grew up in Southern California, attended college in Texas, and spent eight years as a children’s book editor in New York City. She now lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 3, 2019
MAGNOLIUS: A magnificent tale of doomsday reversal
Behind its well crafted plot gleaming with slick words and delicious characters, Magnolious tackles sharp themes of climate change, outrageous tyranny, and children who have inherited a broken earth and who need to become advocates for change and take on agency against the destruction of natural resources and human communities. For only solutions that come from the most candid imagination and ingenuity can overturn the situation of entrenched corruption and cruel manipulation that the world has been plunged into.
Nitty, a toothpick-thin ten year old orphan who’s escaped the awful Grimsgate orphanage and has saved an elephant –Magnolious- from execution, arrives at Fortune’s Buff, a town run by Neezer Snollyghost, a fraudulent extortionist with grand dreams of razing down the place and building a futuristic concrete city for his personal profit. He already rules unchecked, posing as mayor, and has managed to take up everyone’s property in the area through shark loans, besides owning the only General Store in town where people are forced to shop at his prices.
In the meantime, a great environmental tragedy seems to be blighting the land— great dust storms by the name of ‘dusters’ sweep down more often than not, filling everything with dust, drying up wells and rivers, killing animals and crops. The earth has become an endless expanse of dry, toasted landscape where nothing grows, while brown clouds like toadstools that become billowing titans constantly assail the town. Adults have become paralyzed and disempowered, saddened by loss, worried about money, and overwhelmed with dusters… The world has been emptied out and needs to be filled again.
It is at this point where Nitty and Mag arrive, and team up with Twitch, an asthmatic kid who cannot leave the house without a mask, but who has the markings of a brilliant detective, and Bernice, an angry and determined girl, fed up with the impossibly grim situation around her. Together they resolve to investigate and expose the appalling racket that lies behind the ruin of the town.
Suzanne Nelson’s beautiful prose and clever twists of plot keep the reader riveted to this inspiring, triumphant story that so resonates with all that ails our present world and how it could be changed for the better.
Behind its well crafted plot gleaming with slick words and delicious characters, Magnolious tackles sharp themes of climate change, outrageous tyranny, and children who have inherited a broken earth and who need to become advocates for change and take on agency against the destruction of natural resources and human communities. For only solutions that come from the most candid imagination and ingenuity can overturn the situation of entrenched corruption and cruel manipulation that the world has been plunged into.
Nitty, a toothpick-thin ten year old orphan who’s escaped the awful Grimsgate orphanage and has saved an elephant –Magnolious- from execution, arrives at Fortune’s Buff, a town run by Neezer Snollyghost, a fraudulent extortionist with grand dreams of razing down the place and building a futuristic concrete city for his personal profit. He already rules unchecked, posing as mayor, and has managed to take up everyone’s property in the area through shark loans, besides owning the only General Store in town where people are forced to shop at his prices.
In the meantime, a great environmental tragedy seems to be blighting the land— great dust storms by the name of ‘dusters’ sweep down more often than not, filling everything with dust, drying up wells and rivers, killing animals and crops. The earth has become an endless expanse of dry, toasted landscape where nothing grows, while brown clouds like toadstools that become billowing titans constantly assail the town. Adults have become paralyzed and disempowered, saddened by loss, worried about money, and overwhelmed with dusters… The world has been emptied out and needs to be filled again.
It is at this point where Nitty and Mag arrive, and team up with Twitch, an asthmatic kid who cannot leave the house without a mask, but who has the markings of a brilliant detective, and Bernice, an angry and determined girl, fed up with the impossibly grim situation around her. Together they resolve to investigate and expose the appalling racket that lies behind the ruin of the town.
Suzanne Nelson’s beautiful prose and clever twists of plot keep the reader riveted to this inspiring, triumphant story that so resonates with all that ails our present world and how it could be changed for the better.
July 17, 2019
Oh, you just have to meet Nitty...and Mag...and Twitch...and Windle...and all of the other residents of Fortune’s Bluff! A TALE MAGNOLIOUS, written so masterfully by Suzanne Nelson takes you on a curious journey to this town (which has seen better days) by way of Nitty and Mag’s arrival. Nitty, a quick-witted orphan who is wise beyond her years, and Mag, an intelligent and thoughtful elephant, are a pair you’ll absolutely adore. Together they try to earn their keep on Windle’s farm that has been severely impacted by the terrible dust storms that just won’t quit. They set their sights higher and aim to help the whole town recover from these devastating storms, and alongside Twitch—the inquisitive, self-proclaimed detective neighbor—they seek to get to the root of the problem...a villain in their midst! This charming read is full of whimsy and wonder amongst the well-organized, mysterious plot that has plenty of twists and turns that will keep you up way past your bedtime to solve. I could absolutely hear each voice, found both humor and seriousness, and enjoyed the many thought-provoking, poetic phrases they spoke; for example, “A raindrop’s not much to look at either, until it’s a river.” It’s a story of friendship, love, loss, hope, forgiveness, and finding the will to start over that gave me all the feels and will resonate with readers on so many levels.
April 11, 2020
“Dreams are forces in themselves, strong enough to leave footprints behind in the imagination.” I fell in love with the characters: An orphan girl who is wise beyond her years, Magnolius, an intelligent and charming elephant, Twitch, the asthmatic boy detective, and Windle a farmer who just can’t a break from the dust storms that are plaguing his town. Add in magical seeds, a villain and a few miracles and you have the makings of one terrific story. “Elephant’s don’t need love. What sort of catawampus idea is that? I believe everything needs love.” “Hope as never an end, but always a beginning. “
Suzanne Nelson’s beautiful prose and clever imagination pull readers in and force them to hold on tight as the plot twists and turns while tugging at their heart strings during the entire ride. I will be recommending this book to a lot of students and friends!
Suzanne Nelson’s beautiful prose and clever imagination pull readers in and force them to hold on tight as the plot twists and turns while tugging at their heart strings during the entire ride. I will be recommending this book to a lot of students and friends!
October 21, 2019
An abused elephant, a mistreated orphan, and magical seeds - what better framework for a fabulous, grandiose, magnificent Dust Bowl story? Evil tries but hope prevails! Would actually like to award 10 stars; it is my favorite book of 2019.
May 13, 2019
I loved this book. It has a wonderful, quirky, nostalgic feel (sort of Kate DiCamillo-esque, with a dash of Roald Dahl), a fantastic cast of memorable characters, a moving storyline, and it reads as a love letter to language, which makes the English major and children’s librarian in me smile! Great heart, great writing, great book!
December 2, 2019
Nitty is an orphan who has run away from the Grimsgate Orphanage. She happens upon Magnolious, a circus elephant about to be publicly executed for killing her trainer. Nitty instantly knows Magnolious is innocent and the two sort of rescue each other in the middle of one of the terrible dust storms that have been plaguing the land. Nitty and Magnolious land in Fortune's Bluff where they meet a cast of loveable (and some not-so-loveable) characters including a heartbroken old man, a young detective named Twitch and the mayor, Neezer Snollygost (which is one of the best villain names I've come across in a long time!). The town of Fortune's Bluff has been devastated by the dust storms and left without much hope. In the midst of Fortune's Bluff's despair Nitty and Magnolious bring love, imagination and determination--along with some very special seeds for planting.
A Tale Magnolious incorporates the magical realism of Nitty's seeds in a way that reminds me of one of my favorite picture books, Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen; the magic is gentle, amazing, yet a naturally occurring phenomenon(as opposed to witchcraft, spells, etc.). I love Nitty's story in A Tale Magnolious. Nitty has always believed herself to be a good person, but has been told repeatedly that she is not only bad, but worthless as well. Finding Magnolious is Nitty's first step in challenging the awful things she has been told she must believe about herself in favor of what she knows, deep inside, to be her true nature and capabilities. Their journey together is beautiful in the deepest, warmest sense of the word. This has been compared to the works of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate and I think this is probably a reasonable comparison in general--more with Applegate than DiCamillo. The addition of the magical realism distinguishes Nelson and I adore her characters' names! They feel inspired, contributing mightily to the creation of each character, in the way Charles Dickens chose names for his characters. (I am NOT comparing Nelson to Dickens.)
I am fascinated by elephants and snatched this one off the library shelves as soon as I saw it. The first 200 pages of A Tale Magnolious held me absolutely rapt; I didn't want to put the book down for a minute and when I was reading I was totally engrossed in the story. The tale seemed to unfold naturally, the writing having an almost fable-like quality to it as Nitty observes both kindness and unkindness rolling the motivations for both around in her mind. I felt as if the story had a beautiful climax around the 200 page mark and then the final 100 pages seemed to turn the story in a different direction. It went from a thoughtful, tender fable to an adventure/caper storyline with Nitty and her friends Twitch and Bernice. This made the story feel fractured to me: split into two different stories. Both stories have merit and are well written, but I felt as if the first two-thirds was extraordinarily well done and I was slightly confused (and sad) when the tone, pace and plot changed focus.
A Tale Magnolious is a lovely story that at moments feels inspired and offers many opportunities as a read-aloud for conversations with young readers about their own ideas of self and how to strengthen their inner knowledge of who they are. Studies have shown that the most effective way to combat the problem of bullying--since we cannot control the actions of others--is to help a child build his/her inner core with knowledge of what makes them good, or special so that the actions of others cannot destroy the center of who they are.
A Tale Magnolious incorporates the magical realism of Nitty's seeds in a way that reminds me of one of my favorite picture books, Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen; the magic is gentle, amazing, yet a naturally occurring phenomenon(as opposed to witchcraft, spells, etc.). I love Nitty's story in A Tale Magnolious. Nitty has always believed herself to be a good person, but has been told repeatedly that she is not only bad, but worthless as well. Finding Magnolious is Nitty's first step in challenging the awful things she has been told she must believe about herself in favor of what she knows, deep inside, to be her true nature and capabilities. Their journey together is beautiful in the deepest, warmest sense of the word. This has been compared to the works of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate and I think this is probably a reasonable comparison in general--more with Applegate than DiCamillo. The addition of the magical realism distinguishes Nelson and I adore her characters' names! They feel inspired, contributing mightily to the creation of each character, in the way Charles Dickens chose names for his characters. (I am NOT comparing Nelson to Dickens.)
I am fascinated by elephants and snatched this one off the library shelves as soon as I saw it. The first 200 pages of A Tale Magnolious held me absolutely rapt; I didn't want to put the book down for a minute and when I was reading I was totally engrossed in the story. The tale seemed to unfold naturally, the writing having an almost fable-like quality to it as Nitty observes both kindness and unkindness rolling the motivations for both around in her mind. I felt as if the story had a beautiful climax around the 200 page mark and then the final 100 pages seemed to turn the story in a different direction. It went from a thoughtful, tender fable to an adventure/caper storyline with Nitty and her friends Twitch and Bernice. This made the story feel fractured to me: split into two different stories. Both stories have merit and are well written, but I felt as if the first two-thirds was extraordinarily well done and I was slightly confused (and sad) when the tone, pace and plot changed focus.
A Tale Magnolious is a lovely story that at moments feels inspired and offers many opportunities as a read-aloud for conversations with young readers about their own ideas of self and how to strengthen their inner knowledge of who they are. Studies have shown that the most effective way to combat the problem of bullying--since we cannot control the actions of others--is to help a child build his/her inner core with knowledge of what makes them good, or special so that the actions of others cannot destroy the center of who they are.
October 29, 2019
I'm torn between a 3 and a 4 for this lovely story featuring a most unlikely heroine and a brave and wonderful elephant. Nitty Luce is on the lam, escaped from the orphanage where she's been living under draconian conditions with Miz Ricketts who judges her due to her eye color. But life on the street is hard, and she is desperately hungry. When she swipes a pouch of seeds from a vendor, she also becomes a thief. In her desperation to escape those who want to catch her, she stumbles upon an elephant about to be hanged because she killed her trainer. Nitty senses that Magnolious is a good elephant and one that couldn't have done what she's accused of doing. Together, they flee, and eventually arrive at a down and out farm in a town that is about as down and out as it's possible to be. Windle, the farmer, is nursing a broken heart, but he still is capable of some kindness toward the girl and the elephant. Eventually, he realizes that Nitty is a treasure, and he opens his home and his heart to her. The dust-covered, desolate town is plagued by Neezer, a man who epitomizes the very meaning of the word "pessimist," and whose ambitions to profit from the town's destruction and the depression of its citizens are eventually revealed thanks to detective work by Nitty and her friend Twitch. There are many parts of this story that appealed to me, but I particularly loved when the farm is plowed and those seeds are sown, and new life and hope began to spring forth once again. As I read this book, I kept thinking about how easy it is to give up and how precious are those who believe the best in those around them and those who have an eternally optimistic view on life. I really enjoyed meeting Nitty and Mag and was enthralled by their bond and how they help rescue a town and a man who didn't realize that he needed rescuing.
August 13, 2019
Thank you to Curious City for providing #Collabookation an ARC for review.
“I like colorful tales with black beginnings and stormy middles and cloudless blue-sky endings. But any story will do.”
― Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan
A Tale Magnolious is exactly this ~ and I loved every single part.
Nitty has been told she's bad her entire life, so, when she decides to steal an elephant, she can justify it with the low expectations that have plagued her forever. But then she has...an elephant. So they walk and walk until they find a barn.
I've seen comparisons to DiCamillo (agree), but I felt this book was more Natalie Lloyd-esque. An entire town in despair, an evil, greedy, but also misunderstood antagonist, and two (becomes three) kids hell bent on setting things straight.
This story has everything you want it to: fantastic world building, captivating & comical characters, and an intriguing plot. It's one of the books I finished, and immediately wished I could jump right back into the town. Magnolious indeed. Highly recommend for grades 4 and up!
“I like colorful tales with black beginnings and stormy middles and cloudless blue-sky endings. But any story will do.”
― Katherine Applegate, The One and Only Ivan
A Tale Magnolious is exactly this ~ and I loved every single part.
Nitty has been told she's bad her entire life, so, when she decides to steal an elephant, she can justify it with the low expectations that have plagued her forever. But then she has...an elephant. So they walk and walk until they find a barn.
I've seen comparisons to DiCamillo (agree), but I felt this book was more Natalie Lloyd-esque. An entire town in despair, an evil, greedy, but also misunderstood antagonist, and two (becomes three) kids hell bent on setting things straight.
This story has everything you want it to: fantastic world building, captivating & comical characters, and an intriguing plot. It's one of the books I finished, and immediately wished I could jump right back into the town. Magnolious indeed. Highly recommend for grades 4 and up!
July 18, 2019
This is a cute, quirky children’s book that adults who are young at heart and believe in magic can enjoy. I’ve become fond of children’s literature especially ones in the genre of historical fiction. This one was a little more juvenile and fanciful than the ones I usually pick up, but I still found it very enjoyable. Set during the dust bowl years, this is a story of an orphan girl and an elephant who bring hope, love, friendship and a little magic to a dying town. This would be fun for a parent or teacher to read to grade schoolers. The vocabulary in this book is fantabulous. A teacher would have a plethora of choices for unusual vocabulary lists. Just a few examples of the colorful words this book is filled with. Sarcophagus, Oubliette, Fribble, Euphonium, Galumphed, Catawampus, Pogonologist, Rumbustious, Kerfuffle, Mellifluousness.
I also loved the cover of this book. Sometimes I do judge a book by its cover and in this case I was happy I did.
I also loved the cover of this book. Sometimes I do judge a book by its cover and in this case I was happy I did.
September 3, 2019
I give it 3 and 1/2 stars! Nitty is a fantastic, firey, and loveable character, and who wouldn't want an elephant for a best friend? An elephant that turns the pages of the book you're reading. Yes, please! I love it!
The description promises to please fans of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate. Mostly I picked up the book for the elephant, but I am a huge fans of DiCamillo and Applegate!
But this book doesn't remind me of those authors. The writing itself isn't poetic enough. Yes, there's imagery, but nothing close to what DiCamillo or Applegate gives us. This book is more like Holes. (A more predictable version of Holes.) And a little bit like Anne of Green Gables. It got a little long in the middle, but Nitty's relationship with Windle kept me going. I say read it, especially if you take it as a historical fiction (with some magical elements) and don't mind giving your vocabulary a workout.
The description promises to please fans of Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate. Mostly I picked up the book for the elephant, but I am a huge fans of DiCamillo and Applegate!
But this book doesn't remind me of those authors. The writing itself isn't poetic enough. Yes, there's imagery, but nothing close to what DiCamillo or Applegate gives us. This book is more like Holes. (A more predictable version of Holes.) And a little bit like Anne of Green Gables. It got a little long in the middle, but Nitty's relationship with Windle kept me going. I say read it, especially if you take it as a historical fiction (with some magical elements) and don't mind giving your vocabulary a workout.
November 15, 2019
Nitty is a run-away, having escaped from a cruel headmistress at her orphanage. Magnolious is an abused circus elephant, sentenced to die by public hanging. These two characters find one-another and so begins an adventure in survival, friendship, espionage, and hope. Nitty and Mag end up in a dried out farm community plagued by dust storms. They begin to suspect the storms are related to the conniving schemes of the town's two-faced mayor. Can they prove it? Can they stop him before he destroys everything around them? Can Nitty find a family and can Magnolious escape the circus for good?
The cast of supporting characters is colorful--with names to match: Neezer Snollygost, Ricketts, Twitch, Turngiddy, Sigh, and Homes. The villains are sufficiently dark and the sometimes-reluctant heroes are clear. The delightful story is recommended for upper middle grade readers with stamina for length of this engaging tale (349 pp.) and the many unusual vocabulary words Nitty loves.
The cast of supporting characters is colorful--with names to match: Neezer Snollygost, Ricketts, Twitch, Turngiddy, Sigh, and Homes. The villains are sufficiently dark and the sometimes-reluctant heroes are clear. The delightful story is recommended for upper middle grade readers with stamina for length of this engaging tale (349 pp.) and the many unusual vocabulary words Nitty loves.
October 21, 2022
What a beautiful story. I fell in love with Nitty from the first sentence.
When Nitty, a runaway orphan sees a spot of bright green seeds that seem to fill her with hope. She has to have them. With a quick swipe, she makes her getaway, only to be chased by police until she finds herself face to face with a poor elephant doomed to hang for the death of her trainer.
When a duster comes up, Nitty and Mag (Magnolious) make their escape, and stumble into a story just waiting to get started. And Nitty's stolen beans are the exact thing to set everything in motion.
The characters in this story came to life, and the world painted was so real. Even when I set the book down, I could feel the story calling to me, and waiting to share the rest. If you haven't read this book, I recommend it wholeheartedly. It is filled with hope and love and patience, as they overcome despair, tragedy, and greed.
SUCH a beautiful story.
When Nitty, a runaway orphan sees a spot of bright green seeds that seem to fill her with hope. She has to have them. With a quick swipe, she makes her getaway, only to be chased by police until she finds herself face to face with a poor elephant doomed to hang for the death of her trainer.
When a duster comes up, Nitty and Mag (Magnolious) make their escape, and stumble into a story just waiting to get started. And Nitty's stolen beans are the exact thing to set everything in motion.
The characters in this story came to life, and the world painted was so real. Even when I set the book down, I could feel the story calling to me, and waiting to share the rest. If you haven't read this book, I recommend it wholeheartedly. It is filled with hope and love and patience, as they overcome despair, tragedy, and greed.
SUCH a beautiful story.
August 29, 2019
A Tale Magnolious is a delightful read for children and adults alike. The reader will quickly fall into the story involving an orphan, an elephant, and a lonely farmer among other interesting characters. It is begging to be read aloud as a bedtime adventure. A quote by Roald Dahl comes to mind to describe the tale, “Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” This book is teeming with magic as well as the most delicious language. I highly recommend it for all, but especially fans of Roald Dahl and Kate DiCamillo. I usually donate all of my books to the local library after having read them, however this one goes on the shelf permanently, waiting for future magic-believing grandchildren.
June 24, 2021
Lovely story that is well-written with lovely prose. There are many advanced vocabulary words included in the story that could present opportunities for growth or potential for student misunderstandings. The story is presented much like historical fiction, taking place in what appears to be the dust bowl during the Great Depression. However, it also includes elements that are fantastical (froozle fruits). The setting and plot elements may require acquisition of background knowledge to understand. The book is lengthy. I would recommend for advanced readers in grade 5, or readers in grades 6-8. Themes include: family, community, pride, loneliness, and loss.
July 10, 2023
10 Ways to Be a Villain, from Detective Comics
1. Suffer an alleged wrong or injustice that leaves you embittered of the world and it's every occupant. (120)
2. Rely on a shrewd accomplice to be your eyes and ears. (170)
3. Develop a signature peculiarity or mannerism that easily distinguishes you from other villainy. (89)
4. A villain is a keen observer who seeks out and preys on the weakness of others. (143)
5. Exude an air of malevolence. (39)
6. Hide your Achilles's heel from those who would destroy you. (301)
7. If something or someone stands in your way, destroy it. (206)
8. Disguise yourself as a patron of philanthropy and good citizenship. (53)
9. Undermine all that is good, fair, and just with treachery. (283)
10. Strike silently, swiftly, and ruthlessly. (166)
1. Suffer an alleged wrong or injustice that leaves you embittered of the world and it's every occupant. (120)
2. Rely on a shrewd accomplice to be your eyes and ears. (170)
3. Develop a signature peculiarity or mannerism that easily distinguishes you from other villainy. (89)
4. A villain is a keen observer who seeks out and preys on the weakness of others. (143)
5. Exude an air of malevolence. (39)
6. Hide your Achilles's heel from those who would destroy you. (301)
7. If something or someone stands in your way, destroy it. (206)
8. Disguise yourself as a patron of philanthropy and good citizenship. (53)
9. Undermine all that is good, fair, and just with treachery. (283)
10. Strike silently, swiftly, and ruthlessly. (166)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 6, 2019I can definitely see the Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Applegate comparisons. This book had a kind of folksy tone to it, mixed with magical realism and rich vocabulary words tossed in. I wish the author hadn't gone so...silly with some of the names (Neezer Snollygost, Miz Turngiddy, Miz Ricketts)---all the villains, and the "Miz" part droves me nuts. It could have been reigned in, but that's just a personal quibble.
Overall, a lovely story about hope and finding your place.
Overall, a lovely story about hope and finding your place.
June 28, 2020
When I started this book, I had a huge pile (30+) of books from the library that I needed to finish. I wasn’t really looking forward to this, but I try to finish all the books I check out. I started it and I couldn’t put it down. It was interesting and magical and had everything you could want in a book. I would definitely recommend this, also though as a read aloud, because it totally has the feeling of one.
September 15, 2020
A girl steals an elephant? An elephant!? Really? How is that possible? I had to find out more. And was delighted to discover a magical story about a 10-year-old orphan, her elephant, and a bag of extraordinary beans.
I don’t believe in spoilers, so grab a copy today. You won’t regret it! Because Nitty, Mag, a unique assortment of Fortune’s Bluff residents, and Nelson’s charming voice combine to create an unforgettable read.
I don’t believe in spoilers, so grab a copy today. You won’t regret it! Because Nitty, Mag, a unique assortment of Fortune’s Bluff residents, and Nelson’s charming voice combine to create an unforgettable read.
February 23, 2023
How anyone could rate this anything less than 5 stars is beyond my comprehension. I will own this, and I will read it again and again.
An absolute MUST-read unless you happen to hate:
- powerful creatures who remain gentle and loving in the face of adversity
- determined little girls with sensational vocabulary
- curmudgeons who open their hearts to love
- textbook villainy at its finest
- empathy, hope, and triumph
- reading books that make you happy
An absolute MUST-read unless you happen to hate:
- powerful creatures who remain gentle and loving in the face of adversity
- determined little girls with sensational vocabulary
- curmudgeons who open their hearts to love
- textbook villainy at its finest
- empathy, hope, and triumph
- reading books that make you happy
September 2, 2019
FYI: I won this book on goodreads.com.
Even though this book is written for adults, and has a very inspirational message, I plan to put it in my 6th grade library. It is a story of struggle and despair, hope and love. Beautifully written and fast moving. It has been a long time since I have finished a book so satisfied, with a big smile on my face and in my heart.
Even though this book is written for adults, and has a very inspirational message, I plan to put it in my 6th grade library. It is a story of struggle and despair, hope and love. Beautifully written and fast moving. It has been a long time since I have finished a book so satisfied, with a big smile on my face and in my heart.
January 4, 2021
Children’s book, probably the longest one that I’ve read to my kids! The story of an orphaned girl, the elephant she rescues and how the two of them work to save a town on the verge of destruction. Very descriptive writing, a bit drawn out and long in sections, but overall a good story of triumph in the face of evil.
January 28, 2019
This delightful book is full of whimsy, adventure, and characters worth rooting for. Readers will feel a lot of empathy for the plights of orphaned Nitty, maligned elephant Mag, and the people of the downtrodden Fortune's Bluff.
July 10, 2019
The cover of this book drew me in from even before the release date. The main character Nitty Luce was everything you want in an orphan girl. She was spunky, sassy and no nonsense. I loved her from the start. I also fell in love we the title character of Magnolious or "Mag" who was wrongly accused of killing her trainer while in the circus. Nitty saves Mag from being executed and that is where the story takes off. You add in magical seeds and a grouchy farmer. This book has everything I wanted and like the magical Froozle seeds, it gave me just what I needed.
May 14, 2019
This magical and beautifully written tale is a "Triumph!"
May 16, 2019
A wonderful book! Fabulous for kids and adults alike. Inspiring, heart-warming, humorous. Great characters that you bond with. Imaginative and fun.
August 9, 2019
cute story with charming characters...wonderful to see how 2 orphans (Nitty & Magnolious) were able to revitalize both themselves and a whole community...
August 27, 2019
An orphan girl during the Dust Bowl steals an elephant, some magical seeds, and a cantankerous old man's heart.
October 7, 2019
Cute story, however, I don’t think the intended audience will stick with it unless they’re provided a dictionary as a companion book.
October 17, 2019
Beautifully written. Hints at influences from "Annie" and "The Wizard of Oz" that voice it a sense of familiarity even though the story is new and fresh.
October 20, 2019
I adored this elephant and her girl, and their story of courage with its magical realism in the Dust Bowl. Read alike for fans of Kate diCamillo’s
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