Michael Morpurgo

My favourite Michael Morpurgo books are Private Peaceful, War Horse and Waiting for Anya. He manages to make you feel the pain and hardship of the world wars in a vivid and real way bringing you close to the heart of each of the characters. Morpurgo's other books aren't as gripping and I would defiantly advise that if you could only read one of his books it would be War Horse, Private Peaceful or Waiting For Anya.

Toro! Toro!

Toro! Toro! is set in Spain during the civil war and is the story of a young boy and his family. His father breeds bulls for the bull rink and his Uncle is a famous Bull fighter but what Michael doesn't know is that the bulls don't always survive.

This book is sad but I think that in the end so many members of his family die abruptly and without the reader having any attachment to them that it isn't very emotional. I think this is partly because I was too old for it and also because Michael Morpurgo's other books are so engaging and emotional.

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
This was a very interesting story about a girl in one of the world wars. It's not Private Peaceful or War Horse but it is gripping and the fact it is about a little girl and a cat makes it very different from anything else Morpurgo has written.

This story shows the way people at home in England were effected in a very dramatic and effective way, this little girl is not affected by real bombs and guns but instead by the bombs the soldiers used to practice. She is confronted with her own small war.


King of the Cloud Forests
This was the first fantasy/fact book that I had read by Michael Morpurgo and to be honest it isn't that good. The plot line is interesting but the emotions and resolution aren't captivating and unlike his other books

Michael lives with his father and uncle Sung in China peacefully enough until the outbreak of war. Japanese bombers constantly threaten them and there are others who hate missionaries and only need a little push before they become violent as well.

King of the Cloud Forests is a good relaxing read but there are plenty of better Michael Morpurgo books worth reading.


Why the Wales Came
Michael Morpurgo's books are generally to do with war or animals, sometimes he incorporates the two. My favourite Michael Morpurgo book has to be either War Horse or Private Peaceful both of which are very emotional and made me burst into tears. Why the Wales Came is another book that involves both war and animals but neither of them are involved directly.

Samson is haunted, no one knows by what or who, but it is. No one's tested it, no one needs too, they all know they have to stay away. They also keep as far away from the Birdman as possible, he isn't normal, they think he made the curse. That's why when Gracie and David go to play with their boats on his part of the island they can't tell anyone.

This book is a great break from anything more challenging you might be reading, for example Arabian Nights or The Wouldbegoods.

Emily of New Moon by L.M.Montgomery

I really enjoyed Emily of New Moon because I can empathise with her ambitions, hopes and dreams, I felt in her the same kindred spirit and desire to succeed that is in my all time favourite Anne Shirley. L. M. Montgomery creates people and places that will stay with you whatever age you are and if you're like me she will make you cry buckets so make sure you keep some tissues nearby!

Emily is a passionate head strong dreamer with a stroke of Murray pride. I find her very easy to sympathise with because she is by no means perfect, in fact she is headstrong at times as well as being occasionally unforgiving. There are four of them in the gang Perry, Isle, Teddy and Emily, all of them have big dreams. Perry dreams of being a member of parliament, Ilse wants to be a public speaker, Teddy wants to paint and Emily wants to write. The only problem is Perry is a farm help, Teddy's mother doesn't want him to paint, Ilse's father doesn't love her and Emily is forbidden to write, so they each have to go the long route up the 'alpine path.'

I would strongly advise reading Emily of New Moon as well as Anne of Green Gables even though it is very similar because it is aimed at slightly older children. Emily is really easy to empathise with throughout the book as she struggles to fulfil her potential.  Her character is realistic and as someone who's currently fighting their way through the maze of full time education as well as juggling a million and one extra curriculum activities I can find myself stuck with the same kind of problems Emily gets stuck in, the most common, doubting myself. 

Our Island Story by H.E. Marshall

From Albion and Brutus right up until the famous rule of Queen Victoria, Britain has had intriguing and often gory history. Sometimes History books dull this down and what once was a tale of bravery and challenge becomes a list of dates and facts this book isn't like that, it really brings history alive. Every character is real to you and when the Britain's are conquered you morn with them and rejoice when the victors are destroyed.

My favourite 'story' is probably the tale of the two princes in the tower. I like this one because it is such a mystery. Why would any one kill two innocent young boys? Every time I read the tale I can come up with a different reason for their capture and then subsequently their death. My favourite character is King Richard III in this story because he has such a deep character. He wants the crown so much he is prepared to murder his two innocent nephews.

This book is a great read and a fun way to learn the history of Britain. I thouerly enjoyed reading it and have read it three times already.

Anne of Green Gabels Series by L. M. Montgomery (including Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson)

This is a series of nine books, Anne of Green Gables being the most well known and loved.  This and the other eight books (Anne of Avonlea; Anne of the Island; Anne of Windy Willows; Anne's House of Dreams; Anne of Ingleside; Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside) follow the story of Anne an orphan girl who turns up at the Cuthbert's home instead of a boy. Anne is an amusing friendly aspirational girl that I can personally relate to. Whether dying her hair green or getting stuck under a bridge Anne has a great laugh but she has her faults too and has to learn to work through her temper and pride to achieve the best.



Anne of Green Gables is set on Prince Edward Island north of the Nova Scotia peninsular.  Anne was not always from there she is a Nova Scotia and was born in a little yellow house. Before Green Gables, penned by Budge Wilson, is the prequel to Montgomery's books about Anne and describes Anne's neglected childhood and pleasant moments. Wilson has succeeded in joining the books well so that it feels like they link and has remembered to include all the details given in any of the other books by L.M. Montgomery and including some of his own.



As there are quite a few books in this series you might not be able to read them all. If not I would definitely suggest skipping to Rilla of Ingleside because it is amazing and I cried bucket loads. Even though the story is no longer based on Anne, Rilla, her youngest daughter shares the same passionate love of life and even through the horror of the Great War and the various tragedies she has to face Rilla has to learn to keep a smiling face.



Personally I love them all and feel I can really sympathize with Anne and her children because they are realistic characters in a realistic setting where not everything goes right.

The Wreck of Zanzibar by Michael Morpurgo

The Wreck of Zanzibar is a fairly easy read so if you want a break from something a bit heavier, for example the Arabian nights, you can pick this up. Michael Morpurgo writes this story in the 1st person which makes the story seem to have more meaning and depth as you can really familiarize yourself with the character.

Laura, the main character in Morpurgo's  book, is quite easy to sympathise with she seems friendly and kind to almost everyone. She has big dreams which she knows she will fulfil but sometimes things just look too hard and she has to find strength to carry on just like us.

Michael Morpurgo is a popular author of children's books. Some of his best works include the classic tales of War Horse and Private Peaceful.