This book is nothing short of spectacular! Michael Morpurgo has outdone himself with this novel.


Review
"Lyrical and moving, it is one of the former Children's Laureate's best books for years." Amanda Craig, The Times "His best book in years! I was completely hooked." Kate Kellaway, The Observer Review "A powerful story." The Guardian Children's Books Supplement 'Executed with Morpurgo's distinctive flair. His language remains beautifully clean and clear.' Waterstone's Books Quarterly "[A] very satisfying read! The masterful writing makes the characters come to life on the page! I'm recommending this to adult friends as well as teenagers." Books for Keeps "Michael Morpurgo strikes gold! this is a life-rewarding novel." Angels & Urchins "This is storytelling at its best." Primary Times "Incredibly moving, harrowing and completely unputdownable. A first class story that brings history alive." My Child magazine "Completely unputdownable." Families Magazine
Product Description
How far would you go to find yourself? The lyrical, life-affirming new novel from the bestselling author of Private Peaceful There were dozens of us on the ship, all up on deck for the leaving of Liverpool, gulls wheeling and crying over our heads, calling good-bye! That is all I remember of England. When six-year-old orphan Arthur Hobhouse is shipped to Australia after WWII he loses his sister, his country and everything he knows. Overcoming enormous hardships with fellow orphan Marty, Arthur is finally saved by the extraordinary people he meets and by his talent for boat-design and sailing. Now he has built a special boat for his daughter Allie -- a solo yacht designed to carry her to England in search of his long-lost sister. Will the threads of Arthur's life finally come together? I was there on the quayside to see Allie take her out for the first time, saw her dancing through the waves, and I knew I'd never built a finer boat.
About the Author
Multi-award winning author, Michael Morpurgo, is one of Britain's best-loved writers for children and has won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, The Writers Guild Award and the Blue Peter Book Award for his recent novel, Private Peaceful, which has also had two successful runs as a play devised by Bristol Old Vic. From 2003 to 2005 he was the Children's Laureate, a role which took him all over the UK to promote literacy and reading, and in 2005 he was named the Booksellers Association Author of the Year.

I am taking this spectacular book to the Bookcrossing meeting at the Joshua Tree Cafe today. One of my most favorite books ever!

I was told that this was a great novel and that I just must read it... So it has come home with me, along with many others. Being added to the TBR Mountain.

I'm moving, so in an effort to reduce the amount I have to move I am passing books that multiple people wanted to the next person. This is a book I want to read and therefore want back, just not until I am settled in my new place.

Are you in the Calgary area and interested in meeting up with other Calgary BookCrossers? Please check out our facebook group, "BookCrossing Calgary" for details on how. Meeting are held on the second Saturday of every month at the Joshua Tree Cafe starting at 11am. New Crossers are always welcome.

Picked this book up at the Calgary BookCrossers post-Christmas and New Year celebration at The Dove's Nest.

Indeed, this was a spectacular book. I was moved on so many occasions in reading this story.

Although it is a work of fiction, it tells the story of so many orphans who were unable to.

Thank you so much for sharing this unforgettable story with me. May it find many more readers!

Taking to a mini-meet-up, so it may be returned to the Calgary BookCrossing group for circulation.

Powerful story. It brought the problem of the orphans to my attention in a very big way. Great read and touches your soul.

I am taking this to the September meeting at Cravings. Time for it to find a new reader.

Picked this up at September's meet up. Adding to my TBR pile.

Interesting look at what could have happened to one of the thousands of British Orphans who were sent to Australia. I can't imagine being a young child who has no idea who they are and living in a strange country under less than ideal circumstances. Especially when separated from a sibling. At least this "story" has happy moments in it and ultimately the family gets some resolution, albeit many years later than they would have hoped.

Taking this to Calgary's July meet up. Theme this month is "Australia, Africa & Asia", I think this book fits the theme nicely!

Are you in the Calgary area and interested in meeting up with other Calgary BookCrossers? Please check out our facebook group, "BookCrossing Calgary" for details on how. Meeting are held on the second Saturday of every month starting at 11am. Location is unknown, please PM me for information. New Crossers are always welcome.

Picked up at the meeting yesterday!

Taking to the September "children" themed meeting. I loved the ending, and anyone who knows me IRL can probably figure out what I found so completely charming. :) I was also really quite taken with the entire albatross plot line.

To the finder:
Calgary has an active group of BookCrossers that meet to swap books and discuss book crossing every second Saturday of the month at 11am at Cravings Market on Fairmount Drive SE. We always love to meet new crossers, so please join us any time you like!

Picked up at get together

This book truly captured me. It wasn't what I was expecting when it said it was about orphans sent over to Australia during WWII - I was expecting more about the war. But apart from starting the book off, it didn't really factor in, and instead followed a fascinating life and legacy of a boy who was sent.

It was a really touching story. It lost me a touch during the second part at times, but it wove in nicely with the ending. The characters were very well done, and you gotta love Henry.

The afterword by the author was also very informative and interesting, and taught me a bit about history which I had never though much about before.

Thank you for the touching read!

Taking to get together

Picked this up at the Calgary November BookCrossing meetup.

Haven't read anything by this author before. From the comments by the other BookCrossers, I'm sure I'll enjoy this one.

Stolen from BookyMcBooks' book pile. A quick read which I appreciate lately. Really loved the first half. But also found it really sad.

Will be sent back to Calgary Bookcrossing next chance I get.