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Amazon.co.uk Review
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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
“A master storyteller at his best” The Sunday Times
"From the first sentence of a Michael Morpurgo book, you know you are in the hands of a natural storyteller." Guardian
“Classic Morpurgo brilliance” Bookseller’s choice, Publishing News
"…a succinctly engaging tear-jerker, it is also full of happiness and affection and has a joyful ending… It is also about people who care enough to look after each other, offering a lesson in life as well as history. Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week
"…Michael Morpurgo weaves a touching tale that's full of surprises. A master storyteller at his best." Funday Times
"As always, Morpurgo writes with solid confidence in a voice that's gentle yet spellbinding." Evening Standard
'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. The 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
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 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.
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 !
Amara: "The incredible tale of a deserted village, a lifelong friendship and one... Read more
This book is brilliant because it might be based on real life. Read more
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