The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan (w/ Signed Bookplate) - Exclusive

From the New York Times bestselling author of Counting by 7s comes a heartfelt story about "the importance of compassion and bravery when facing life’s challenges” (Kirkus) for fans of The One and Only Ivan and Front Desk.

It's been almost a year since Sila's mother traveled halfway around the world to Turkey, hoping to secure the immigration paperwork that would allow her to return to her family in the United States.

The long separation is almost impossible for Sila to withstand. But things change when Sila accompanies her father (who is a mechanic) outside their Oregon town to fix a truck. There, behind an enormous stone wall, she meets a grandfatherly man who only months before won the state lottery. Their new alliance leads to the rescue of a circus elephant named Veda, and then to a friendship with an unusual boy named Mateo, proving that comfort and hope come in the most unlikely of places.

A moving story of family separation and the importance of the connection between animals and humans, this novel has the enormous heart and uplifting humor that readers have come to expect from the beloved author of Counting by 7s.

“I couldn’t stop reading—I had to find out what would happen. An unusual and lovely real-life fairy tale.” —Linda Sue Park,New York TimesBestselling author ofA Long Walk to Water

“A gorgeous and emotional novel. I loved every page.” —Cynthia Kadohata, Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira

The Elephant in the Room is a beautiful contemporary story by Holly Goldberg Sloan all about family, immigration, and elephants.

Your purchase includes:

• The Elephant in the Room by Holly Goldberg Sloan (first edition hardcover)
• Author letter and signed bookplate from Holly Goldberg Sloan
• Bookmark by Katy Tanis (@daughter_earth_illustration)
• 'Elephants on Parade' collectible sticker (designed by Katy Tanis |@daughter_earth_illustration)

Genre: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Animals, Contemporary, Family
Themes: Family separation and the importance of the connection between animals and humans.
Content Warnings: Terminal cancer, Death of a wife recounted, Graphic animal abuse, neglect & cruelty, including the use of electric prods

Photos by: @pages.for.dawn and @meredith.mara(on Instagram)

Educational Benefits:

A heartfelt story exploring themes of friendship, resilience, and self-discovery, inviting discussions on empathy, understanding, and acceptance of differences, thus promoting emotional intelligence and empathy development in young readers.