The elephant in the room

From the New York Times bestselling author of *Counting by Sevens* comes a heartwarming story about “the importance of compassion and courage when facing life’s challenges” (Kirks) for fans of *Lonely Ivan* and *The Front Desk*. It’s been almost a year since Sela’s mother traveled to Turkey, hoping to secure immigration papers that would allow her to return to her family in the United States. The long separation is nearly impossible for Sela to bear. But things change when Sela accompanies her father (a mechanic) out of their Oregon town to fix a truck. There, behind a massive stone wall, she meets a man with a serious personality who just months earlier won the lottery. Their new alliance leads to the rescue of a circus elephant named Vida, and then to a friendship with an unusual boy named Mateo, proving that comfort and hope come in the most unlikely of places.

A touching story of family separation and the importance of the bond between animals and humans, this novel features the delightful humor readers have come to expect from the beloved author of Counting by Sevens.

“I couldn't stop reading—I had to know what was going to happen. An extraordinary and beautiful true fairy tale.” (Linda Sue Park, New York Times bestselling author of *A Long Walk to Water*)

"A wonderful, moving novel. I loved every page." (Cynthia Kadohata, Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira)