Grades 4-5. An old woman recounts her escape from the burning city of Dresden with an elephant, her mother and brother, and an enemy soldier. Not a holocaust story, but another perspective of just a "regular" German family that didn't particularly like Hitler and suffered from the effects of the war-- losing sons and husbands to the army and being bombed by Allied forces. Also makes you think about things like zoos and the tough choices that had to be made to keep people (and animals) safe. This would not be the same story without Marlene the elephant. Her peacefulness. Her innocence. Served as an inspiration for those who could not find their own. Great book discussion or read-aloud for WWII.