Letter to an Author

Dear Sara Gruen,
        Your book, Water for Elephants, is the best book that I have ever read. No other book has brought me to be as fascinated and connected as much as yours did. One of my favorite things about it was how you really brought the characters to life. If they were heartbroken, I was heartbroken along with them. I really felt that anyone could relate with your characters, including myself. Another thing I loved about Water for Elephants was how it never got boring. Throughout the whole novel something was always happening. Sometimes I get very bored with some books but with Water for Elephants, I couldn't put it down and finished it in just 3 days!! Whether it was Jacob discovering his feelings for Marlena and August or Jacob's experiences in the nursing home, Water for Elephants always held my interest. Along with that, the book was factually correct. Since it took place during the Great Depression, you used some hints and clues that led me to realize that you did your research on this time period and knew exactly what you were talking about. This was yet another way that you brought the book to life and made it seem real. Since reading Water for Elephants, I have become very interested in circuses and the Great Depression and have researched them to find out more. PLEASE write another book that will hold my interest like Water for Elephants did!!

Sincerely, 

Josephine Waller

Summer Reading

Over the summer, I read Water for Elephants for my summer reading project. It is one of the best books I've ever read. One of my favorite things about it is how much the characters developed over the time span in the book. As I read, Jacob was the character that really stood out to me. He is the main character and the point of view is through his eyes. As the book continues, Jacob interacts more and more with the circus crew where he ends up. On the circus train, he meets Marlena, who also develops throughout the book. While Jacob develops feelings for Marlena, more and more information about her is revealed. Marlena is not the only major character Jacob interacts with. He also becomes very close with Rosie, an elephant. In the book, Rosie is brutally beaten by Marlena's husband, August. As Jacob meets these fellow characters, traits about him are discovered by the reader, such as passionate and patient. In conclusion, Sara Gruen did a great job developing the characters in the book so they have a connection with the reader.

Water for Elephants Article

This article gives a little more information about the plot of the book. It also shows some other opinions on Water for Elephants.