New Releases by Michael Morpurgo

Alfie lives off the coast of England. Merry lives in New York City. Until Merry and her mother set sail on the Lusitania for England, where Merry''s father is recuperating from a war injury. People told them not to go, hearing rumors that the Lusitania might be carrying munitions. But they are desperate to be reunited with Merry''s father. Alfie and his father find a lost girl in an abandoned house on a small island. The girl doesn''t speak, except to say what sounds like "Lucy." Alfie''s mother nurses her back to health. The others in the village suspect the unthinkable: Lucy is actually German-an enemy-because she''s found with a blanket with a German tag. Told from Alfie and Merry''s points of view, this exquisite novel tells of friends, enemies, and unexpected kindnesses.

A collection of six magical and heart-warming animal stories, specially for World Book Day, by the nation’s favourite storyteller.

Revered author Michael Morpurgo evokes the post-war Britain of his childhood in this unflinching and deeply poignant tale of the physical and mental scars of war. From a young age, Michael was both fascinated by and afraid of his grandfather. Grandpa’s ship was torpedoed during the Second World War, leaving him with terrible burns. Every time he came to stay, Michael was warned by his mother that he must not stare, he must not make too much noise, he must not ask Grandpa any questions about his past. As he grows older, Michael stays with his grandfather during the summer holidays and learns the story behind Grandpa’s injuries, finally getting to know the real man behind the solemn figure from his childhood. Michael can see beyond the burns, and this gives him the power to begin healing scars that have divided his family for so long.

“Morpurgo''s dramatic telling captures the vitality of the tale as well as its beauty and mystery.” — Booklist (starred review) Welcome to a medieval world full of sword fights and shape-shifting, monsters and magic, and timeless characters both gallant and wonderfully human. Written anonymously in the fourteenth century, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is retold in its entirety by Michael Morpurgo in a lively and accessible narration that captures all the tale’s drama and humor. Vivid illustrations by the celebrated Michael Foreman infuse this classic tale with dragons, swords, and medieval pageantry.

The last thirty years have witnessed one of the most fertile periods in the history of children''s books. A fascinating reference guide to the world of children''s literature, this volume covers every genre from fairy tales to chapbooks; school stories to science fiction; comics to children''s hymns

Author of War Horse, and bestselling storyteller Michael Morpurgo touched our hearts with this beautiful story of a boy, his lost dog, and the lengths he would go to be reunited. This timely story of battle-scarred Afghanistan delivers a masterful portrait of war, love, and friendship. With the horrors of war bearing down on them, Aman and his mother are barely surviving in an Afghan cave, and staying there any longer will end horribly. The only comfort Aman has is Shadow, the loyal spaniel that shows up from places unknown, it seems, just when Aman needs him most. Aman, his mother, and Shadow finally leave the destroyed cave in hopes of escaping to England, but are held at a checkpoint, and Shadow runs away after being shot at by the police. Aman and his mother escape--without Shadow. Aman is heart-broken. Just as they are getting settled as free citizens in England, they are imprisoned in a camp with locked doors and a barbed wire fence. Their only hope is Aman''s classmate Matt, his grandpa, and the dream of finding his lost dog. After all, you never lose your shadow.

An Elephant in the Garden is Simon Reade’s new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s best-selling children’s novel. 1945. Dresden, Germany. Lizzie, her mother – and an elephant from the zoo, flee the Allied fire-bombing in the end-game of the Second World War. Escaping the Allies’ advance from the West – and also the advancing Russian armies from the East – this extraordinary trio of refugees meet: a downed RAF officer, cowering in a barn; a homeless school choir on the run and their Countess saviour, harbouring them from the Nazis; and the mechanised American cavalry, appearing over the horizon. It is Lizzie’s story – but Marlene, the elephant, is the heroine. Plodding, obdurate, opportunistic, loadbearing, indestructible, cheering – Marlene embodies the stubbornness of the human will and how it will do everything to survive.

Pippa loves staying with her Aunty Peggy. She loves going for walks - long, wandering walks where her wellies take her. Follow Pippa into the beautiful countryside as her day unfolds, and the wildlife, animals and people she encounters are complemented by poems from some of our greatest authors, personally chosen by Clare and Michael Morpurgo.

The perfect gift for all ages, Pinocchio as you’ve never seen him before: telling his own story through the master storyteller and award-winning author of WAR HORSE.

Tales from the nation’s favourite storyteller about man’s best friend who will do anything to protect their loving owners.

Three outstanding novels by the nation’s favourite storyteller that depict unforgettable experiences of WWI.

From the author of War Horse comes a gentle, evocative story of a young city boy’s summer in 1960s rural Provence. When Yannick learns that he is to stay with his aunt Mathilde and her family in the South of France, he cannot believe his luck. He has rarely been out of Paris, and if the paintings in his mother’s beloved Cézanne book are to be believed, surely Provence is paradise itself. So begins an idyllic month for the young city boy: roaming the gentle hills and rolling valleys and daydreaming about his beautiful cousin Amandine; helping at his aunt and uncle’s bustling village inn; feeling that he has come to the most wonderful place in the world. But one evening the spell is broken when an important local comes for dinner and Yannick accidentally destroys a precious drawing the man leaves behind. How can the devastated Yannick make things right again — and what surprising discoveries might come of it?

In the town of Hamelin, the rich and greedy live like kings and queens while the poor and sick scavenge rubbish tips for scraps. A lame orphan boy tells the classic tale of how a plague of rats take over the town and how a fantastic piper offers to rid Hamelin of its rats for a single gold coin.

Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line. Winner of the Blue Peter Book of the Year, Private Peaceful is by the third Children''s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo, award-winning author of War Horse. His inspiration came from a visit to Ypres where he was shocked to discover how many young soldiers were court-martialled and shot for cowardice during the First World War. This edition also includes introductory essays by Michael Morpurgo, Associate Director of Private Peaceful production Mark Leipacher, as well as an essay from Simon Reade, adaptor & director of this stage adaptation of Private Peaceful.

Believing in magic makes dreams come true...

When kaspar the cat first arrived at London’s Savoy Hotel, it was Johnny Trott who carried him in. After all, Johnny was a bellboy and was responsible for all of Countess Kandinsky’s things— including Kaspar. But when tragedy befalls the Countess during her stay, Kaspar becomes more than Johnny’s responsibility: Kaspar is Johnny’s new cat, and his new best friend. And when Kaspar and Johnny meet Lizziebeth, a spirited young heiress, they find themselves journeying across the Atlantic with Lizziebeth’s family on England’s newest and most magnificent ship, the Titanic. Because there is always adventure in the air with a cat like Kaspar around. After all, he’s Kaspar Kandinsky, Prince of Cats, a Londoner and a New Yorker and, as far as anyone knows, the only cat to survive the sinking of the Titanic. . . .

An e-book edition of War Horse with movie stills, behind-the-scenes photos, storyboards, and more! In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey''s courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer''s son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

A spellbinding animal story from War Horse author and former Children''s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo.

The long awaited new novel of identity, loss and the lingering effects of war, from master storyteller Michael Morpurgo.

The sequel to Michael Morpurgo''s bestselling War Horse! Farm Boy is the heartwarming sequel to War Horse, the beloved novel that has been made into a hit play and a major motion picture.For years, Joey was a war horse, pulling ambulance carts and artillery through the battlefields of World War I. When he finally returned home to Albert and the farm, he was treated like a hero. But his adventures had only just begun.Now, generations later, Albert''s son loves to tell his own grandson stories about the remarkable horse. He tells him of Joey''s feats in the war, and of the time when the family risked everything betting that Joey could win a daring race. As he tells the stories, he slowly reveals a shameful secret--a secret that he''s kept to himself for years.This charming book speaks to the bond between generations, and captures the spirit of rural life and the love of horses.

An exciting historical adventure from War Horse author and former Children''s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.

Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation’s favourite storyteller The heart-lifting, heartbreaking story by Michael Morpurgo, the nation’s favourite storyteller.

Michael Morpurgo has created a sweeping and dramatic story in the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie. This spellbinding tale is complemented perfectly by Michael Foreman''s illustrations. Robbie McLeod and a wolf cub, both orphaned, venture far from their birthplace, a land of rebellious fighters and vicious redcoats. There is little constancy in Robbie''s adventurous life, save for the companionship of his wolf. But when at last Robbie finds a place where he can peacefully make his home, he knows in his heart that the wolf must find his own natural home too . . .

For Best Mate, being rescued from drowning as a puppy is only the start of his adventures. From unwanted burden to favouritecompanion, and from pet to champion race dog, this greyhound proves that it''s not just cats who have more than one life.

Travelling to the West Bank to witness first hand what life is like for Palestinians and Jews living in the shadow of a dividing wall, journalist Max strikes up a friendship with an enigmatic Palestinian boy, Said. When Said takes Max home, the reporter learns of the events in the family''s past and begins to understand why Said does not speak.

Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation’s favourite storyteller A moving story of a brother, a sister and a swallow, and how all are in some way victims of the horrors of landmines.

Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation’s favourite storyteller A heart-warming novel about Kaspar the Savoy cat, from the award-winning author of Born to Run and The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation’s favourite storyteller A gentle and deeply moving story of a young girl and her bear, told with great charm by a master storyteller.

Il s''appelle Tommo. Il n''a que dix-sept ans mais il a déjà vécu bien des choses, des joyeuses et des plus tristes. Il a passé une jeunesse heureuse avec sa mère et ses frères à la campagne, même si la vie n''était pas toujours facile. Mais tout a changé lorsqu''il est parti pour la guerre avec son grand frère Charlie. Cette nuit, Tommo ne veut surtout pas dormir, il veut penser à lui, à leur vie passée. Parce que demain, au petit matin, son existence va basculer pour toujours.Il veut profiter pleinement de ces dernières heures pour se souvenir, pour ne jamais oublier que rien n''est plus beau que l''amour et la fidélité, que rien n''est plus terrible que l''injustice et la guerre...Un livre inoubliable qui retrace avec justesse l''histoire d''une famille modeste mais heureuse, soudain prise dans la tourmente de la Première Guerre mondiale et dont le destin bascule tragiquement. Un grand moment d''émotion.