Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo

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Kensuke’s Kingdom book cover
Rating 8.4/10
The writing is distinctive; the execution masterful.
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Kensuke’s Kingdom is a thrilling adventure story from exceptional children’s writer Michael Morpurgo.

Michael, his parents and their faithful dog Stella set sail around the world in their yacht the Peggy Sue. Michael has never been so happy and then disaster strikes when he and his dog are swept overboard and find themselves stranded on an island where he discovers Kensuke, a former Japanese soldier and obstinate old man. Seemingly determined to thwart any attempt Michael makes to be rescued yet, unswerving in his generosity, sharing precious food and water and watching over him. Michael soon looks on Kensuke as both saviour and captor. It is not until both boy and man begin to understand one another and a bond of trust builds. Having lost his own family in the war Kensuke realises he must do all he can to help Michael find his own family even though he desperately wants to keep his island secret from the outside world he has turned his back on.

This poignant tale of trust and mutual respect is a thrilling and emotive story, written in the first person narrative giving the reader a sense of a true story being related to them. The final page of the book reinforcing this effect beautifully. The characters of Michael and Kensuke’s characters are as far removed from each other as is possible but it is this contrast that engages the reader and adds such interest to the story. Morpurgo’s style of writing is distinctive and his execution of a storyline masterful leaving you able to relax and simply enjoy a cracking good read.

Parental Notes: This book may appeal to children as young as 7 but as there are paragraphs regarding of the bombing of Nagasaki in WWII some parents may find this unsuitable until a little older.

Kensuke’s Kingdom book cover image

Kensuke's Kingdom (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 176
Publication date: 2005-10-03
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd

RRP: £4.99
Lowest new price: £0.54
Lowest used price: £0.01

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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
Amazon.co.uk Review

Kensuke’s Kingdom book cover image

Kensuke's Kingdom (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 176
Publication date: 2005
Publisher: Egmont

RRP:
Lowest new price:
Lowest used price: $0.01

Buy now!


You Say

Heerthana from West London

9-stars

I love all the books Micheal Morpurgo wrote. The book that he wrote that I loved the best was Kensuke's Kingdom. It is full of adventure, amazement and thrills.I really don't know what else to say about this fantastic book!

Young reader from UK

10-stars

I love reading Kensuke's Kingdom and I was wondering if it was a true story?

Charlotte

10-stars

It is a fantastic book. It is the best book I've ever read.

Rachel Jones from Chester

10-stars

I thought it was a very intresting book.

Catherine from Northern Ireland, Londonderry

10-stars

I love the book! 10 stars! Full of trills and very exciting. My teacher loves Michael's books! We are doing a lot of work on his books.

Molly from England

10-stars

I loved it! It was one of the most touching books I've ever read, especially at the end when Michael left Kensuke. I suggest to everyone who hasn't read it to do so!

Sue from America

10-stars

I loved the book, expecially when he met Kensuke.

Anna from UK

10-stars

I loved the book. My fave part was when Kensuke talked about his life.

Aara from Surrey

9-stars

I really like this book so I am recommending it to everyone. My cousin hasn't read it so I am buying it her for her birthday which is soon - so happy birthday cuz!

Rina from Vancouver BC

10-stars

I'm a 39 year old woman who is very picky when it comes to books and for me to love this book, obviously it has to be amazing. Michael Murpurgo, you are a genuis. What a fanastic book you have written.

Rebecca from Poynton

10-stars

It is a great book and I think that you could not get bored of it.

Sophie from Smith

8-stars

It was quite a good book although some of it was a bit unbelievable. Apart from that it's quite a good book, my favourite character is Stella Arois because she sounds cute.

Bob from London

10-stars

It is the best book I have ever read!!!!

NANCY PATEL from AUSTRALIA

9-stars

I usually like reading Geronimo Stilton books but now I am going to read books written by Michael Morpurgo because I really liked Kensuke's Kingdom.

Maggie from Bradford

10-stars

I think this book is fantastic. It is a great adventure and is the best book I've ever read so far.

Paige-Amy from Bradford

8-stars

I really liked the book and I would like to read more books like this one! ;)

Jovana Lugonja from Swain House Primary School

9-stars

It was a very good and exciting book. In every chapter it would leave you in suspense. The best book I've ever read.

Adam and Rhys from Bradford

10-stars

It was a fantastic book (you know just like the colour of magic book).

Georgette Campbell from Bradford

8-stars

I really liked Kensukes Kingdom because it kept you in suspense, especially the gibbons shooting part (that was my favourite!)

Andrew Fearnley from Bradford

4-stars

I found the book rather boring because the structure of it was not understandable and stopped me from understanding the principle of the book.

Hollie from Bradford

9-stars

It was a very good. It had suspense at the end of every chapter which was a perfect example of a perfect author!!

Elleina Morgan Swainhouse from Bradford

8-stars

I think it was a really good book. My favourite character was Stella because she was always confused and didn't know what was going on. I liked the book because Kensuke really changed his attitude towards Michael. My favourite part was when Michael got hurt and Kensuke was caring and kind to him.

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