Michael Morpurgo Book Recommendations
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One of Britain’s most beloved children’s authors, Michael Morpurgo has been a staple in school libraries for decades. He’s written around 130 books, with the first being published in 1974, and held the title of Children’s Laureate from 2003 to 2005. Something that many people don’t know is that Michael discovered his love for writing later in life, initially joining the army and training at the prestigious Sandhurst College before settling into teaching. He also founded a charity, Farms for City Children with his wife Clare, who he married aged just 19.
Generations of children have enjoyed his stories, and I spoke to some of my followers on Instagram to help me compile this list of book recommendations - including some from my own childhood. Without further ado, here are 7 wonderful books that you should read by the iconic Michael Morpurgo.
Private Peaceful
Arguably one of Morpurgo’s most well known books, Private Peaceful is set during the First World War and was first published in 2003. Michael’s own family had been heavily affected by the two World Wars, hence why many of his books are written around the themes of war and conflict. I actually don’t remember reading this book myself (although I’m sure that I did!) so I’d actually love to reread it as I really enjoy WW1 and 2 stories.
Synopsis:
“Told in the voice of a young soldier, the story follows 24 hours in his life at the front during WW1, and captures his memories as he looks back over his life. Full of stunningly researched detail and engrossing atmosphere, the book leads to a dramatic and moving conclusion.
Both a love story and a deeply moving account of the horrors of the First World War, this book will reach everyone from 9 to 90.”
War Horse
Another tale set during World War One, War Horse found success as a stage production and was also adapted into a movie by Stephen Spielberg in 2011. Eight million horses, donkeys and mules died during WW1 and this story pays homage to them, the animals who died for a human conflict.
Synopsis:
“In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has the seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story.”
Kensuke’s Kingdom
One of my own personal recommendations, I have fond memories of being read Kensuke’s Kingdom in primary school when I was 11. Our class teacher would read it to us, and I was intrigued by the young boy who was lost at sea and made friends with an elderly Japanese man. The boy, also called Michael, was fondly referred to by the man as ‘Mikisan’, a nickname that I passed on to my own brother!
Synopsis:
“Michael is hungry, lonely and scared when he is washed up on a seemingly deserted island. He soon discovers another inhabitant - Kensuke, a former Japanese soldier - who, although initially unfriendly, provides Michael with food and water.
Gradually, a strong bond develops between the two castaways. This is a beautifully written tale of an exceptional friendship which survives beyond the boundaries of culture and language.”
Born to Run
The second of two recommendations from my own childhood, Born to Run is a wonderful story that both me and my mum enjoyed when I was a child. This is a heartwarming story about a greyhound and the various homes he was passed around, including his stint as a racing dog, before finding a forever home. It’s wonderfully written and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.
Synopsis:
“When Patrick saves a litter of greyhound puppies from the canal, he can’t bear to hand them all over to the RSPCA. He pleads with his parents: couldn’t he just keep one of them? But nothing will convince them and Patrick cries himself to sleep – only to be woken by a greyhound puppy licking his face!
Patrick christens his puppy Best Mate, and that’s what he becomes. Patrick’s favourite thing is to watch Best Mate running at full stretch on the heath, a speeding bullet, a cheetah-dog. Until one day Best Mate is kidnapped by a greyhound trainer, and begins a new life as a champion race dog. Suzie, the greyhound trainer’s step-daughter, loves Best Mate on first sight and gives him a new name, Bright Eyes. But what will happen when he can’t run any more?”
Cool!
I have a vivid memory of borrowing this book from my primary school library! It’s a beautiful story that examines the bond between humans and their pets, and introduces children to the concept of serious illness in a positive and hopeful way. I’ve always loved animals which is why I gravitated so strongly towards this book, and I too have strong connections with my own pets.
Synopsis:
“Robbie, football fan and animal lover, runs after his dog Lucky one day when he chases a cat and is hit by a car. Unconscious, Robbie lies in hospital, unable to speak, move or eat. But he can hear; he is aware, even though his family and friends don’t know this. Inside his head, we hear Robbie’s thoughts; on his Mum and sister, why his parents are separated. His friends and family try desperately to reach him – even Zola, his favourite Chelsea footballer, comes to see him. And still Robbie can’t ‘wake up’. Until one day, against hospital rules, Dad brings Lucky into the hospital. Can Lucky bring Robbie back to life?”
The Butterfly Lion – recommended by Jess @notperfectjessx
Perhaps it's because it was published the year I was born or that the author found inspiration in the kinds of true stories I was often drawn to as a kid, but one of my favourite Michael Morpurgo books is The Butterfly Lion. As a child, it was the friendship/bond capable of defying the odds between Bertie and his white lion that had me as desperate for the story's conclusion as the young boy hearing Millie tell the tale. Whereas now, looking back, I'm more aware of the more serious topics touched upon, such as the state of Bertie's parents' marriage, Millie's relationship with her own father, and the lasting effects of WWI on each character. It's a story with something for readers of all ages, whether experienced alone or together, and the following quote is one I'll try to remember in future - "It may be difficult to remember sometimes, but there's always sun behind the clouds, and the clouds do go in the end. Honestly”.
Synopsis:
“Bertie rescues an orphaned white lion cub from the African veld. They are inseparable until Bertie is sent to boarding school far away in England and the lion is sold to a circus. Bertie swears that one day they will see one another again, but it is the butterfly lion which ensures that their friendship will never be forgotten.”
Kaspar Prince of Cats – recommended by Katie @itskatiespace
I read Kaspar Prince of Cats when I was a child, roughly around the age of 11. I remember thoroughly enjoying the book as it contained my huge love of cats and was set on the Titanic, which was always a subject that intrigued me. I loved the bond between Jonny, Lizzibeth and Kaspar, especially when Jonny risked his life to save Kaspar, and the fact that the fictional characters intertwined with a real historical event. Plus I am a sucker for a happy ending, so the joyous finale where Jonny finally got what he had always wanted was a cherry on top.
Synopsis:
“Kaspar the cat first came to the Savoy Hotel in a basket - Johnny Trott knows, because he was the one who carried him in. Johnny was a bell-boy, you see, and he carried all of Countess Kandinsky's things to her room.
But Johnny didn't expect to end up with Kaspar on his hands forever, and nor did he count on making friends with Lizziebeth, a spirited American heiress. Pretty soon, events are set in motion that will take Johnny - and Kaspar - all around the world, surviving theft, shipwreck and rooftop rescues along the way. Because everything changes with a cat like Kaspar around. After all, he's Prince Kaspar Kandinsky, Prince of Cats, a Muscovite, a Londoner and a New Yorker, and as far as anyone knows, the only cat to survive the sinking of the Titanic…”
Twist of Gold – recommended by Christy @kukadoodles
A Twist of Gold has always stuck with me. Two siblings living in Ireland during the Great Famine must take their only chance to escape hunger and the plague to seek their father in America – and leave their dying mother behind. I’ve always loved it for its themes of the kindness of strangers and how families can be built even in the most dire of situations. It was also the first time I’d ever seen Ireland’s Great Famine covered in any book or media.
Synopsis:
“Sean and Annie have one chance to escape the potato famine and plague in Ireland. They survive a shipwreck and land safely in America searching for their father. But their new land is one of hardship and they live in poverty on the streets of Boston. However, their adventure is just beginning...they live on a steamboat and then join pioneers travelling across the prairies. Their music and dancing bring joy to all they meet, but their family torc brings both blessings and curses and thieves prowl to get hold of it. Annie and Sean must hang on to their torc - their family's survival depends on it.”
I hope that this has given you some reading inspiration, whether you’re picking up Michael Morpurgo’s books for the first time, or if, like me, you were a childhood reader. Do let me know if you’ve read any of these or if you have any other favourites to add to my list! I’d love to hear from you.
Further reading
Jacqueline Wilson Book Recommendations