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The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips [Hardcover]

Michael Morpurgo , Michael Foreman
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)

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Book Description

4 April 2005

A heartwarming tale of courage and warmth, set against the backdrop of the second world war, about a cat who survives against the odds.

"Something's up. Something big too, very big. At school, in the village, whoever you meet, it's all anyone talks about. It's like a sudden curse has come down on us all. It makes me wonder if we'll ever see the sun again."

It's 1943, and Lily Tregenze lives on a farm, in the idyllic seaside village of Slapton. Apart from her father being away, and the 'townie' evacuees at school, her life is scarcely touched by the war. Until one day, Lily and her family, along with 3000 other villagers, are told to move out of their homes – lock, stock and barrel.

Soon, the whole area is out of bounds, as the Allied forces practise their landings for D-day, preparing to invade France. But Tips, Lily's adored cat, has other ideas – barbed wire and keep-out signs mean nothing to her, nor does the danger of guns and bombs. Frantic to find her, Lily makes friends with two young American soldiers, who promise to help her. But will she ever see her cat again? Lily decides to cross the wire into the danger zone to look for Tips herself…

Now, many years later, as Michael is reading his Grandma Lily's diary, he learns about The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips – and wonders how one adventurous cat could still affect their lives sixty years later.


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Product details

  • Hardcover: 192 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; 1st edition (4 April 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007182457
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007182459
  • Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 13.8 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 557,517 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon Review

A lot of Michael Morpurgo’s novels for young readers have shared a common theme recently, and to a canon of work about the two World Wars that has included War Horse and Private Peaceful he adds the quietly impressive The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips. His backdrop, meticulously researched and recreated as ever, is the evacuation of several South Coast villages in early 1944 to make way for American troops as they practice for the imminent D-Day landings.

Morpurgo focuses on the impact this upheaval has on one young twelve-year-old girl, Lily Tregenze, who lives on a farm in the village of Slapton with her mum and grandfather. Her world is made up of her local school, currently filled to bursting with London evacuees, and her adoration for Tips, her faithful cat companion. Tips is forever having litters of kittens and Lily is distraught when her dad, who’s away in the army, then her mum, drowns successive litters because they would be too many to keep and feed.

The biggest shock of the reality of living in Wartime Britain, however, comes when they find out they have to move to their Uncle George’s farm to make way for the army exercises. On the eve of their move, Tips goes missing. And for months afterwards it is only the kindness of a young American soldier and his army friend who help look Lily look for Tips that helps her get through the many changes and challenges in her life.

The reader is forewarned that there is a twist at the end of this story, that Lily has gone and done something amazing and maybe a little foolhardy, and half the fun of this book is guessing what that might turn out to be. Morpurgo is a genuinely talented storyteller. There is always the kernel of a great idea in his books that make him one of the best writers for children around today. (Age 8 and over) --John McLay

Review

Praise for PRIVATE PEACEFUL
[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


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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
77 of 77 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A heartwarming story - I couldn't put it down. 20 Aug 2008
Format:Paperback
Michael Morpurgo has written yet another brilliant story with 'The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips'.

It's the story of Lily Tregenza who, in 1943, lives on the family farm on the coast of Devon with her mum and grandfather. Her dad's away in the army. Lily has a cat called Tips, and when the family are forced to move from their home for several months while the army take over the area as a training ground Lily's beloved Tips runs away and gets left behind. Lily is heartbroken but will not give up her search for Tips and she enters the cordoned-off Danger Zone to look for Tips herself - a very dangerous place to be...

It's a lovely story. Written in a simple, easy-to-read style, yet granting the reader a true insight into the Second World War from a child's perspective in the countryside. We also learn at the outset of the story that there's going to be a twist to Lily's tale right at the end, so as long as you don't cheat and peek at the end, it makes for a really compulsive read.

Michael Morpurgo reminds us that 3000 people really were evacuated from their homes around Slapton Sands in Devon, so that the troops could practice landing exercises along the beaches. The beaches there were similar there to the landing beaches in Normandy, used for the D-Day landings of June 1944.

I can highly recommend the story of Adolphus Tips for all ages from 8+.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful 21 Sep 2008
By Lincs Reader TOP 100 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is a truly wonderful little book - which I would guess is aimed at age 9 - 13 children. It's only short and easily readable in an afternoon.

It's a beautiful story and very well written and shows the war and how it affected this small farming community from a young girl's perspective. It's not just about a missing cat - it is much more than that. It covers Lily's relationship with her family, with an evacuee who is sent to live with them and with the American soldiers based nearby. We also learn about Lily's guilt - she doesnt feel that she misses her Dad (who is away at war) enough, and feels closer to her new friends, the American soldiers.

The book starts as a letter to Michael from his grandmother Lily - enclosed with the letter is her childhood diary which tells the story of the evacuated village and her search for her cat Tips. We know that there is going to be a twist at the end of the book, and the twist is quite surprising but brings a lump to the throat.

As a postscript, Michael Murpurgo explains that the people of Slapton were actually evacuated during the war, and the village and it's beach used as a training ground for the Americans in preparation for the D Day landings.

I would recommend this book to all; adults and children alike.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating, and realistic 4 May 2007
Format:Paperback
As a grown-up fan of Michael Morpurgo's books, I came to this one especially interested in the South Hams district of South Devon in which it is set, an area I know quite well and which was evacuated during World War Two so that the Allied troops could practise for D-Day.

The characters are all so well-drawn and believable, neither saints nor villains. Most of the book is written in the form of a diary by Lily Tregenza, a schoolgirl at the time of the evacuation.

Tips, by the way, is Lily's cat, and a powerful character in her own right.

I will really enjoy sharing this book with my son, who is 11 and currently doing a project on Britain during the Second World War. Also with my daughter, aged 9, who is very keen on stories involving animals.

I can't imagine anyone NOT enjoying this warm and powerful book. Full marks, and thank you once again to Mr Morpurgo !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A lovely tale!
Amusing, imaginative and beautifully written - like all Michael Morpurgo's books - this was a very entertaining read. Thoroughly recommended!
Published 20 days ago by anonofderbyshire
5.0 out of 5 stars The amazing story of Aldophus tips
Very good and emotional. Very interesting and imaginative. I gave it this rating because it deserves it and i love it
Published 1 month ago by Mrs D
4.0 out of 5 stars Present
Sorry I can't really say about this yet, bought for my grandson who hasn't read it up til now, bought with War Horse
so i think he'll read that first
Published 1 month ago by Maggie - Islington
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!
This is the best book I've ever read!
I chose this rating because it has all the experts standards my books need. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Paris
5.0 out of 5 stars Dolphins tips the amazing
Brilliant the best book I have EVER Read HOPE I could see more Michael morpurgo books as that one was amazing
Published 1 month ago by Susie Horsfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
One of my favourite authors and my favourite book.Michael Morpurgo is a brilliant author I've read lots of the books and they are BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
Published 2 months ago by Faux
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
my mum actuallyhad a go at me for stay ing up too late reading it. it is just........ well, SUPREME!!!

ps my dads name is there , not mine.

Lily-Mae, age 9
Published 2 months ago by Dave Mills
4.0 out of 5 stars Adolphus Tips Review
This book is one of my favorites by Michael Morpurgo because it showed me just how hard it was for the people back in that time around the war and it showed me that life doesn't... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jacob Simmonds
5.0 out of 5 stars great book for all ages
this is a delightful book, loved it but a shame it is such a quick read - well worth it though
Published 3 months ago by Barbara C. Powell
5.0 out of 5 stars Super
This book was absolutely brilliant and is lovely I learnt a lot.
5 star by miles. They are some great characters
Published 3 months ago by Simon Rose
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