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Product Description
Book Description
A television reporter’s extraordinary experience in the West Bank reveals how children’s hopes and dreams for peace and unity can fly higher than any wall built to divide communities and religions.
Product Description
Travelling to the West Bank to witness how life is for Palestinians and Jews living in the shadow of a dividing wall, journalist Max strikes up a friendship with an enigmatic Palestinian boy, Said. Together the two sit under an ancient olive tree while Said makes another of his kites. As Max is welcomed as a guest, he learns of the terrible events in the family’s past and begins to understand why Said no longer speaks. Told from both Max’s and Said’s points of view, Morpurgo has created a beautiful tale of tragedy and hope with an ending that rings with joy.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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This is a delightful book by Michael Morpurgo, telling a short story of Said, a young boy living in the West Bank. Said does not speak, not since the death of his brother; all he does is make kites, and when the wind is in the right direction, flies them and lets them go so that they fly over to the town on the other side of the barrier.
"Mister Max" is the television reporter that befriends Said, and together with Said's family, Max goes on a journey of discovery, of the terrible events of the family's past and ultimately of joyous hope.
It is beautifully told, has some lovely illustrations by Laura Carlin, and even a thought provoking afterward from Jeremy Bowen. A definite recommendation.
"Mister Max" is the television reporter that befriends Said, and together with Said's family, Max goes on a journey of discovery, of the terrible events of the family's past and ultimately of joyous hope.
It is beautifully told, has some lovely illustrations by Laura Carlin, and even a thought provoking afterward from Jeremy Bowen. A definite recommendation.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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The latest novella by Michael Morpurgo revolves around the unusual friendship between war reporter Max and Said a Palestinian boy haunted by the war. I can't really give away too much about the plot, because to do so would spoil it for new readers. Suffice it to say, this is a profound treatise on the price civillians pay for war. Parts of the book are incredibly moving, while other parts that explain the West Bank situation very succinctly leave you angry at the way people are suffering. This book is a must read for children of 9 and over, and for their parents too.
My only quibble? I wish he could have found an illustrator to do justice to his vision. The childish daubings scattered through this book just aren't up to scratch.
My only quibble? I wish he could have found an illustrator to do justice to his vision. The childish daubings scattered through this book just aren't up to scratch.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review
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Another wonderfully thought-provoking story from one of my favourite children's authors. The story is set in the West Bank, and is about a local village boy and a travelling English journalist. Said, the local boy, devotes his time to looking after the sheep and tending the crops, but in any spare moment he makes kites. On each kite he writes a simple word, in the hopes of spreading his dream.
Max, the journalist, has travelled to the West Bank in the hopes of creating a film about the wall dividing the Palestinians and the Jews. He aims to make something to show the similarities between both sides, rather than a piece of film that portrays one side as being in the right.
Said and Max, find hope amongst the tragedies of life in an area which has seen many atrocities, leaving the reader with a sense of uplifting hope for the future, and a feeling that maybe Said's dream could be realised one day in the real world too.
As always, however, I must add a cautionary warning to parents of very sensitive children - Michael Morpurgo tackles issues head-on, and does not gloss over the bad bits. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons behind his success, his ability to understand that children have a right, and a desire, to know how things really are in the world in which they live. Michael Morpurgo has woven another beautifully poignant tale, which is very much a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. The illustrations are striking, and definitely add to the beauty of the story. I would recommend this for children of around 9 and upwards.
Max, the journalist, has travelled to the West Bank in the hopes of creating a film about the wall dividing the Palestinians and the Jews. He aims to make something to show the similarities between both sides, rather than a piece of film that portrays one side as being in the right.
Said and Max, find hope amongst the tragedies of life in an area which has seen many atrocities, leaving the reader with a sense of uplifting hope for the future, and a feeling that maybe Said's dream could be realised one day in the real world too.
As always, however, I must add a cautionary warning to parents of very sensitive children - Michael Morpurgo tackles issues head-on, and does not gloss over the bad bits. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons behind his success, his ability to understand that children have a right, and a desire, to know how things really are in the world in which they live. Michael Morpurgo has woven another beautifully poignant tale, which is very much a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. The illustrations are striking, and definitely add to the beauty of the story. I would recommend this for children of around 9 and upwards.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
the kites are flying by Lleyton Carey
Have you ever wanted to read a book which is so magical you cannot put it down?If you do,this spellbinding book Michael Morpurgo book is ideal for you. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Natalie Foster
Not what I expected
This book was not a favourite I'm afraid. Our daughter who is 12 loves Michael Morpurgo stories normally but found this one difficult to stick with and follow the story. Read more
Published 6 months ago by DavyA
Not a Fair View
The Kites Are Flying!
Typical Morpurgo brilliance, and easy to read story of young Palestinian boy, and the uneasy relationship with the young Israelis on the other side of... Read more
Typical Morpurgo brilliance, and easy to read story of young Palestinian boy, and the uneasy relationship with the young Israelis on the other side of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by L. B. Lux
The Kites are Flying
This is an excellent book. Having recently spent time in the West Bank it was wonderful to read a book which children would enjoy and understand and would help to given them a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jane Henson
like watching paint dry
i was so so looking forward to getting this for my son, who is really into Beast Quest books these days; i wanted to introduce him to books that were meaningful, deep and based in... Read more
Published 13 months ago by S
The Kites anre flying
Excellant book. A simple yet thought provoking child's answer to the conflict in the Middle East. Well worth a read and to give to a child to read hoping they will see that there... Read more
Published 13 months ago by janet
The Kites Are Flying
This was an excellent book for children but one that can be enjoyed by adults because of the way it was written
Published 13 months ago by Susie
Everyone should read this!
This is a truly special book, a wonderful read for all ages. The difficult subject matter is, as ever, beautifully handled with Michael Morpurpo's skilled prose.
Published 14 months ago by RuthShopper
Message of hope in a story about children and kites
A beautifully written, tender and poignant story about children living in a cruelly divided country (Israel and Palestine). Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eleanor
Michael Morpurgo Childrens Ambassador
Michael Morpurgo is a master story teller, and this story of a journalist in Palestine is one of his best. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jeannette Ellwood
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