Michael Morpurgo

Back in 2013, I had a Year 5/6 classroom. I read them Michael Morpurgo's Little Manfred.

It was a beautiful story about events surrounding the World Cup in 1966 and further back to the second World War. It tells the story of two prisoners and what the war was like for sailors in that time. I love how Michael Morpurgo weaves historical facts into fiction. After reading this story, one of my students borrowed a lot of  the author's books from the library and for his birthday his parents bought him the Michael Morpurgo box set. I bought it for myself, hoping to read them. All the books would be suitable for children in Grades 3-6.

The first book I read from the box set was Kensuke's Kingdom. This book was like a modern day Robinson Crusoe. In 1988 a British family decided to sail around the world in the Peggy Sue. Michael gets swept of the yacht one wild night and is rescued by Kensuke, a Japanese soldier who exiled himself to an island after the bombing of Nagasaki. The story tells of the adventure and their friendship.

Also in the box set was The Wreck of the Zanzibar. This was a quick read, just over 100 pages.  Michael's great aunt Laura has passed away and she left him her diary. In it, it tells about her brother Billy and the night the wreck of a ship, the Zanzibar in the Scilly Isles. Beautifully illustrated and well written. 

Long Way Home is another beautiful story by Michael Morpurgo.  About a foster boy called George who begrudgingly spends his Summer vacation away from the Home and with the Dyer family. Disaster strikes twice for this family and its only then, George realises how much he likes being with the Dyers. Another quick read, just over 150 pages.

Why the Whales Came is possibly my favourite from the box set. It tells of two children Gracie and Daniel who love making boats and sailing them around the Scilly Islands where they live. They are warned from their parents not to go to the Heathy Hill where the Birdman lives. However, the calmer waters are too tempting and, they meet and befriend the reculsive Birdman. This really is a delightful story set during WWII. I believe its also been made into a movie, now I will have to search for it.

I still have two more books from this collection to read. I look forward to reading them.