- Hardcover: 192 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks; First Edition 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 (45 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 122,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk 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
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
68 of 68 people found the following review helpful
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+.
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+.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
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.
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.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
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 !
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
Brilliant story
I have in enjoyed the book because it's a written in diary style and it's set in the second world war. It was so good it brought a tear to my eye. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Bookreviewer12
So good
Adolphus Tips is by Michael Morpurgo. The book genre is troubled times and romance. It is a diary from Lily, a twelve year old girl, the main character. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Bodvok
The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
I originally downloaded this book for my 11 year old daughter, who needed something to do whilst we were visiting older relatives. Read more
Published 1 month ago by muffintops
Hurrah for Adolphus Tips, Thank you Michael Morpurgo
I've looked at a few of Micael Morpurgo's books, thinking that I'm looking forward to sharing them with my kids in a couple of years time but they are too young for them yet. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Nik E
such a brilliant story.
You feel so much for the cat im this story, it's like the cats a part of you at the end of the book. All throughout the book you are worried for the young girls cat. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Spanner234
An excellent read
We are a group of year 4 children who read this book in class as a group and loved it.
Amara: "The incredible tale of a deserted village, a lifelong friendship and one... Read more
Amara: "The incredible tale of a deserted village, a lifelong friendship and one... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Aphids
The amaizing story of Adolphus Tips book review
Read it if you love mysteries and war.
This book is brilliant because it might be based on real life. Read more
This book is brilliant because it might be based on real life. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Natalie Foster
Just wonderful!
I have read this book to both my children when they were studying World War 2 at school. They both loved it. I loved it both times and cried both times. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Bev
the amazing story of adolphus tips
this is a amazing book and i love this story. i highly recommend this book to children as i am one myself
Published 11 months ago by kirsty001
amazing book so wonderful
this book is absolutley amazing so intresting and so sweet but also very sad.Well the story starts of lilys grandson writing a sort of diary thing about his grandpa dying. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Horse madxx
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