Private Peaceful [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Longer novels from Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo are always a particular treat, and Private Peaceful is no exception. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, Morpurgo's novel charts both the childhood of young Thomas Peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the British army to help fight the First World War.

It is, above all, a poignant story of war and about all of its many life-changing effects on those involved--also the brutality of the commanding regimes and the relentless squalor of trench warfare. It's not for the squeamish--Morpurgo tells it like it was and his honest insight is on every page for all to appreciate.

"Tommo" Peaceful is recalling his childhood from those terrible battlefields. He remembers his big brother Charlie taking him to his first day of school, the death of his father, his mum working hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. He remembers his brother Joe, who some called simple, but who to Tommo was very special. He also recalls the only girl in his life, Molly, and how Charlie somehow took her away from him. But as the World turned to War, he had to grow up fast. Together Charlie and Tommo enlist and are sent to France, almost immediately, to what could only be described as pure hell on Earth. Bullets, bombs, death. Shells, noise, dirt. Disease, rats, stench. Charlie and Tommo fight for their lives and to stay together--facing certain death in the face every time they try to advance the British lines.

Morpurgo rattles through his narrative at some speed, gracefully capturing both the horror of war and the ecstasy of life. The ending is shocking and memorable. This is difficult, emotionally draining but highly recommended reading. (Recommended for ages 10 and over.) --John McLay --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

“The dialogue is natural and the pace unforcedas Tommy poignantly recalls scenes from his life …there are also some interesting activities by Cecily O’Neil” Secondary English

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

His [Tommo's] journey from agricultural labourer to cannon fodder is movingly told!Michael Morpurgo is expert at getting through to his readers. He writes here about events that should never be forgotten nor forgiven, and does so most effectively. Independent !full of warmth as well as grief, conveying vividly how precious it is to be alive! Sunday Times The best novel he's written since The Butterfly Lion. Times Deserved to last as an insight into the First World War in the same way as, say, The Silver Sword or Goodnight Mr Tom. Telegraph A poignant, elegiac novel. Daily Mail --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

`Written from the heart.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

`A poignant, elegiac novel.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

A stunning adaptation of Micahel Morpurgo’s poignant and deeply moving novel of the First World War.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

A stunning adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s elegaic novel of the First World War.

As young Thomas Peaceful looks back over his childhood from the battlefields of the First World War, his memories are full of family life deep in the countryside.

But the clock is ticking, and every moment that Tommo spends remembering how things used to be, means another moment closer to something that will change his life forever.

Adapted for schools by Simon Reade from Michael Morpurgo’s poignant and deeply moving novel of the First World War, the play is ideal for use in the classroom and the drama studio. The extensive resource section provides many opportunities for drama, discussion, wider reading and writing.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Simon Reade is Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic where he has adapted and directed a one-man touring version of Private Peaceful. His other adaptations for Bristol Old Vic include Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (winner of the TMA Award for Best Show for Young People), Philip Pullman’s Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp and Jill Tomlinson’s The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark.

He was formerly Literary Manager and Dramaturg of the Royal Shakespeare Company where his adaptations included Midnight’s Children (with Salman Rushdie and Tim Supple) and Ted Hughes’ Tales from Ovid (with Tim Supple). For the RSC he also wrote the play Epitaph for the Official Secrets Act (with Paul Greengrass) and abridged Shaw’s Back to Methuselah (with David Fielding).

A former Literary Manager of London’s Gate Theatre, Simon has also worked in television drama at Tiger Aspect Productions and the BBC.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.