Water for Elephants

by Sara Gruen

(Fiction, 2006)

Ninety-something-year-old Jacob Jankowski remembers his time in the circus as a young man during the Great Depression, and his friendship with Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, and Rosie, the elephant, who gave them hope. Winner of the 2007 “Book Sense of the Year” award for adult fiction (given annually to books considered "hidden treasures" by the American Booksellers Association) and the 2007 Alex Award for Best Fiction for Young Adults. 352 p. Also available to download as an audio book.