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Kensuke's Kingdom
  
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Kensuke's Kingdom (Hardcover)

by Michael Morpurgo (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (84 customer reviews)

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Hardcover (New edition) £7.25 £7.13 21 used & new from £4.50
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Product details

  • Hardcover
  • Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd (1 Jan 1999)
  • ISBN-10: 1405201940
  • ISBN-13: 978-1405201940
  • Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 2.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 283,432 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
It would be foolish to think that Michael Morpurgo, author of the award-winning When the Whales Came, could create something that would prove to be anything less than stunning and here, in Kensuke's Kingdom, he certainly proves he has not lost his magic touch.

When Michael is washed up on an island in the Pacific after falling from his parent's yacht, the Peggy Sue, he struggles to survive on his own. But he soon realises there is someone close by, someone who is watching over him and helping him to stay alive. Following a close-run battle between life and death after being stung by a poisonous jelly fish, the mysterious someone--Kensuke--allows Michael into his world and they become friends, teaching and learning from each other, until the day of separation becomes inevitable.

Morpurgo here spins a yarn which gently captures the adventurous elements one would expect from a desert-island tale, but the real strength lies in the poignant and subtle observations of friendship, trust and, ultimately, humanity.

Beautifully illustrated by Michael Foreman, Kensuke's Kingdom is a stylish, deceptively simple and magical book that will effortlessly capture the heart and imagination of anyone who reads it, ensuring that Morpurgo continues to stand tall amid the ranks of classic children's authors. (Ages 9 and over) --Susan Harrison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Washed up on a desert island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. He can't find food or water, and lies down to die. When he wakes up there is a plate of fish and fruit and a bowl of fresh water beside him. Then he realizes he is not alone on the island after all. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Kensuke's Kingdom
89% buy the item featured on this page:
Kensuke's Kingdom 4.7 out of 5 stars (84)
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Customer Reviews

84 Reviews
5 star:
 (62)
4 star:
 (20)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (84 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Voyage of Discovery but Full of Emotional Trepedation, 14 Jul 2002
By Darren Neve (FARNBOROUGH, Hampshire England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Kensuke's Kingdom (Paperback)
This book, written in the first person, describes the life of a 'normal' teenage boy and his companion-dog, Stella Artois, and begins with their life together playing football with friend Eddie on the mud. However, a change in fortune for Michael and his dog soon provides excitement and trepidation as a voyage of discovery begins.

The Peggy Sue sets sail from Fareham, Hampshire and travels round the world but Michael and Stella end up in the water, washed up on an island with Kensuke and his orang-utans and gibbons.

This book is a personal diary, yet written in a narrative form. It is an intercultural experience of a young English boy who ends up meeting a Japanese doctor. There are gentle reminders to the reader of the devastation and loss which atomic bombs can cause whilst at the same time there is the gentle caring and kind development of a relationship between a ship-wrecked boy and a man many years his senior.

The theme suggests overtones of the latest TV fad of "Survivor" yet the pace and content of the book is far gentler and less vicious. We can see how characters interact with each other and the emotional upheavals that the loss of loved ones brings, whatever the age, however long the separation.

There is also mention of the plight of some wild animals and the horrendous experience which some undergo for the profits of animal hunters, whilst a realisation of how the simple orang-utan is closer to humankind than we might remember.

The book gently unfolds how, within the wider world and pace of Western life, a gentler more laid-back existence can still be found. The air of tranquillity of undiscovered places allows the reader to almost enter a fantasy existence, whilst at the same time, still being anchored into Western civilisation with memories of past experiences and future expectations.

This book is full of exciting subadventures, whilst the overall plot moves on at an appropriate pace. A definite must for any 9-13 year old, but adults too will enjoy this voyage of discovery and reunion.

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an excellent book and it rules!, 30 Aug 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Kensuke's Kingdom (Paperback)
This book is abut a boy called Michael who gets shipwrecked and lands on an island and meets a Japanese man called Kensuke and he gives Michael food and drink.To find out more read the book.The best bit is when Kensuke really helped him when he is missing his parents and they became almost a family. Kensuke is my favourite character because he climbs impossible trees and saves orang-utans and doesn't like fires and always puts them out. I would recommend this book to 6-14 year olds.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It is a book of adventure..., 17 May 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Kensuke's Kingdom (Paperback)
Kensuke's Kingdom - the most emotional book I ever read in my entire life. A boy, named Michael, and hs dog Stella are washed over board from the boat, the Peggy Sue. A yacht that his father bought after he lost his job. Next morning Michael and Stella find themselves on an isolated island. Michael thinks he is alone and 'curls up to die'. However, next day, he finds, on a rock, a bowl of food. He then knows he is not alone...
I recommend this book to everyone!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars A slow start, but gets better.
Kensuke's Kingdom is one of Michael Morpurgo's OK books. It could be better, the book has quite a slow beginning, but it gets a lot better towards the end. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Miss Shepherd

5.0 out of 5 stars What a brilliant book!
I have just finished reading this book to my two children aged 14 and 10. What I can say is the book was absolutely captivating from beginning to end. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Anthony Schiavo

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for young boys
Once again Michael Morpurgo doesn't disappoint. My 9 year old son loved it despite the need for a box of tissues (for me). Read more
Published 3 months ago by b.lops

5.0 out of 5 stars Kensukes Kingdom
I bought the book to read with my 11 year old son. Very moving.
Published 5 months ago by Sara R. Butlin

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow - what a read!
Kensuke's Kingdom What a fantastic book! Having started to read this with my 8 year old son, I then "sneakily" finished reading it one night after he had gone to bed! Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mummy Sarah

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read
I was persuaded to read this book by two of my daughters (aged 9 and 12). This is one of their favourite books. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Catherine

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
I found this while I was rooting through my teenage brothers books.
It didn't take long to read and I really enjoyed it. It is an original story that is well told. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Good day sunshine

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Kensuke's Kingdom'
This is a superb novel to motivate reluctant (male) readers between the ages of 9 and 13. As usual, Morpurgo's story telling skills combine with excellent use of figurative... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Readdeb

4.0 out of 5 stars captains log
Michael's parents are made redundant, so they buy a yacht and plan to go around the world. There is not much to do on a boat, and Michael gets very bored. Read more
Published 12 months ago by M. J. Hetherington

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked!
I have just finished reading this with my 8 year old and we have been hooked! It is a fantastic story, beautifully written and introduces a whole range of themes from the obvious... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Catherine Caldwell

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