I heard the wind above me in the sails. I remember thinking, this is silly, you have't got your safety harness on, you haven't got your lifejacket on. You shouldn't be doing this. Then the boat veered violently and I was thrown sideways. I had no time to grab the guard-rail. I was in the cold of the sea before I could even open my mouth to scream. Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. He can't find food, he can't find water. In the end he curls up to die. When he wakes, there is a plate beside him of fish, of fruit, and a bowl of fresh water. He is not alone
Kensuke's Kingdom
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Amazon Review
It would be foolish to think that Michael Morpurgo, author of the award-winning When the Whales Came, could create something that would prove to be anything less than stunning and here, in Kensuke's Kingdom, he certainly proves he has not lost his magic touch.
When Michael is washed up on an island in the Pacific after falling from his parent's yacht, the Peggy Sue, he struggles to survive on his own. But he soon realises there is someone close by, someone who is watching over him and helping him to stay alive. Following a close-run battle between life and death after being stung by a poisonous jelly fish, the mysterious someone--Kensuke--allows Michael into his world and they become friends, teaching and learning from each other, until the day of separation becomes inevitable.
Morpurgo here spins a yarn which gently captures the adventurous elements one would expect from a desert-island tale, but the real strength lies in the poignant and subtle observations of friendship, trust and, ultimately, humanity.
Beautifully illustrated by Michael Foreman, Kensuke's Kingdom is a stylish, deceptively simple and magical book that will effortlessly capture the heart and imagination of anyone who reads it, ensuring that Morpurgo continues to stand tall amid the ranks of classic children's authors. (Ages 9 and over) --Susan Harrison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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"'A dazzling adventure' (by The Times.)"
--This text refers to the
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First Sentence
I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By Darren Neve
Format:Paperback
This book, written in the first person, describes the life of a 'normal' teenage boy and his companion-dog, Stella Artois, and begins with their life together playing football with friend Eddie on the mud. However, a change in fortune for Michael and his dog soon provides excitement and trepidation as a voyage of discovery begins.
The Peggy Sue sets sail from Fareham, Hampshire and travels round the world but Michael and Stella end up in the water, washed up on an island with Kensuke and his orang-utans and gibbons.
This book is a personal diary, yet written in a narrative form. It is an intercultural experience of a young English boy who ends up meeting a Japanese doctor. There are gentle reminders to the reader of the devastation and loss which atomic bombs can cause whilst at the same time there is the gentle caring and kind development of a relationship between a ship-wrecked boy and a man many years his senior.
The theme suggests overtones of the latest TV fad of "Survivor" yet the pace and content of the book is far gentler and less vicious. We can see how characters interact with each other and the emotional upheavals that the loss of loved ones brings, whatever the age, however long the separation.
There is also mention of the plight of some wild animals and the horrendous experience which some undergo for the profits of animal hunters, whilst a realisation of how the simple orang-utan is closer to humankind than we might remember.
The book gently unfolds how, within the wider world and pace of Western life, a gentler more laid-back existence can still be found.
... Read more ›17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is abut a boy called Michael who gets shipwrecked and lands on an island and meets a Japanese man called Kensuke and he gives Michael food and drink.To find out more read the book.The best bit is when Kensuke really helped him when he is missing his parents and they became almost a family. Kensuke is my favourite character because he climbs impossible trees and saves orang-utans and doesn't like fires and always puts them out. I would recommend this book to 6-14 year olds.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio Cassette
Class 6C (Year 6) read this book as a whole class. We thought it was a fantastic story and are still unsure as to whether it is a true account of what happened to Micheal - the adventure and details of the story are so believable. The surprise at the very end of the book (not wanting to give away any secrets) left us wondering whether it was true or not. We feel the vocabulary and the way Micheal Morpurgo describes the events, surroundings, characters and plot have made this the most enjoyable read of the year. A great book for any child from 9 - 14, even our teacher was gripped to the very end.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Kensuke's Kingdom - the most emotional book I ever read in my entire life. A boy, named Michael, and hs dog Stella are washed over board from the boat, the Peggy Sue. A yacht that his father bought after he lost his job. Next morning Michael and Stella find themselves on an isolated island. Michael thinks he is alone and 'curls up to die'. However, next day, he finds, on a rock, a bowl of food. He then knows he is not alone...
I recommend this book to everyone!
I recommend this book to everyone!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Bella Blue
Format:Paperback
My daughter and I had never read any Michael Morpurgo before, but after reading this we are hooked! What an excellent author! We started reading Kensuke's Kingdom on holiday and after beginning the first night, I confess to cheating and skim read the rest of the book, whilst my daughter was asleep as I couldn't wait to see what happened.
The descriptive language he uses is pitched perfectly for children in the 9-11 age group- not so heavy that they struggle to understand but just right to create an exciting drama and hopefully encourage them in their own writing. My daughter's teacher uses this book in year 6 to encourage the children in their writing.
The story is of a boy called Michael who's parents buy a yacht and set off to sale round the world. During a storm Michael gets washed overboard and ends up on a desert island where he meets up with Kensuke. I won't let you in on anymore suffice to say that its excitment and emotion all the way and I challenge anyone not to cry at the end!One of the best kids books I've read in years. Would recommend to children and adults alike. You won't be disappointed.
The descriptive language he uses is pitched perfectly for children in the 9-11 age group- not so heavy that they struggle to understand but just right to create an exciting drama and hopefully encourage them in their own writing. My daughter's teacher uses this book in year 6 to encourage the children in their writing.
The story is of a boy called Michael who's parents buy a yacht and set off to sale round the world. During a storm Michael gets washed overboard and ends up on a desert island where he meets up with Kensuke. I won't let you in on anymore suffice to say that its excitment and emotion all the way and I challenge anyone not to cry at the end!One of the best kids books I've read in years. Would recommend to children and adults alike. You won't be disappointed.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I have been recommending this book every since my 7 year old son was given it for his birthday. It is about a family whose father loses his job and they sell everything to buy a boat and sail around the world. One stormy night, the son and family dog get washed overboard and almost drown, but wake up next morning on a deserted island - or is it..... Frightened the boy and dog try to find food and water, but it is the kindness of an old man who lives on the Island who helps them, although at the beginning he is not happy with the boy being on the Island. After an incident with some jelly fish, the old man and boy become firm friends and the boys begins to forget about his family. However as the years pass by he wonders if his parents are still alive, and when he sees a yacht he lights a fire to attract the attention of the sailors. Is he rescued or not. Are they friend or foe. You'll just have to read the book.
Now we have read this book, we are reading all the other books by Michael Morpurgo which are also equally gripping and beautifully written.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool
Best book ever great for all ages really exciting but a mix of humour and saddnes as well as some fun times
Published 4 days ago by Trisha
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ace book!
Really enjoyed this book great story and very well written, would recommend to all, even though it's a children's book it is a great adult read.
Published 5 days ago by panda
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review by Tej Raval
amazing book.
it is so so good
it is a must read
it is very clever and the ending is great
and its all true
it is so so good
it is a must read
it is very clever and the ending is great
and its all true
Published 7 days ago by Tej Raval
5.0 out of 5 stars
My review of kensukes kingdom
I thought that this book was full of emotion and excitement and would recommend it to my friends in the future.
Published 11 days ago by S.J.Hardman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Michael Morpurgo
I had to read this book for school at first I thought it was gonna be boring but boy was I wrong this a book about a boy who falls off a boat and gets washed up on an island but... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Smiley Face
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kensukes kingdom
It was a great little read recommended by my son from his school days. Miracle he read anything they try him too. Had to see what got his attention!!
Enjoyed it:)
Enjoyed it:)
Published 29 days ago by K. A. Woodstock-jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing true story
Amazing true story , I was almost crying ..... I found out about by school at my school I also read it there but now I no what happens. I think it's the best story I've ever read . Read more
Published 1 month ago by Aimee Musham
5.0 out of 5 stars
great for children (11 or above) and for their parents!
I originally bought the book for my 11 year old daughter. She is a reluctant reader but loved the book and finished it in a few days. I was curious and decided to read it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Inspector G
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
bought this book for my 10 yr old daughter and myself to read together, and it's brilliant we are thoroughly enjoying it.
Published 1 month ago by Sammy Seal
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read
This is a pleasing book which is hard to put down once you start. A good night time read and I'm glad I did.
Published 1 month ago by mark e
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