A Tale Magnolious by Suzanne Nelson
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on June 18th 2019
ISBN: 1984831747
Pages: 368
Goodreads

Nitty Luce and Magnolious the elephant are meant to be together. Both are orphans; both are running away from a lonely past. After Nitty, on a whim, steals a pouch of gleaming seeds, she runs headfirst into Mags, who is about to be hanged for killing her trainer. The elephant senses Nitty’s compassionate nature and shields her from one of the many dust storms that have plagued the town for more than a decade. The runaways soon meet up with Windle Homes, a cantankerous farmer whose past has left him as lonely as Nitty’s and Mags’ past have left them. With the help of those magic seeds and some hard work, the three revive Windle’s farm, despite the dust storms, which have all but destroyed the little town. With the help of a cast of misfit characters, Nitty reveals the secret of those mysterious dust storms before the town is completely destroyed.

A charming adventure filled with misfit characters, who each find friendship and belonging in each other. There is humor and wacky adventure with a little bit magic rolled in. Dastardly deeds, fun wordplay and the story’s oddball caricatures make the romp clever and amusing. A good read for grades 4 to 6.

Reviewed by Kelly Greenlee, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland