Why the Whales Came

by Michael Morpurgo

Paperback, 2001

Status

Checked out

Due 15-01-2021

Call number

823.914

Genres

Children's Books

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

Accelerated Reader

Publication

Egmont Books Ltd (2001), 145 pages

Description

Adventure fiction. A stunning story of friendship and our natural world set against the backdrop of the First World War. From the nation's favourite storyteller, Michael Morpurgo. Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. But his warnings to stay away from the abandoned and cursed Samson Island stay with them. And when those warnings seem to be coming true, Gracie and Daniel must find out what the Birdman knows - before it's too late... Why the Wales Came is a gripping historical tale full of adventure and friendship, from the author of War Horse. Michael Morpurgo has written more than one hundred books for children and won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children's Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times. 10 yrs+… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member EuanTheBoy97

This book is good and I enjoyed the story.

6 more

LibraryThing member Ayling

I think I may have read this in school a long time ago. I swear I remember reading a book about Narwhales but can't remember the title. I didn't much care for it though.

LibraryThing member cars27

The book is ok, I read it in class.I would have never read if we didn't read it in class.

LibraryThing member john257hopper

This is a delightful novel about two children living on the small Scilly Isle of Bryher on the eve of the First World War, who befriend an outcast from the community, known as the Birdman, who hides a secret relating to the evacuation of the nearby island of Samson during his youth. It's a lovely

story, which gives a good feel for the ebb and flow of island life, and shows how communities can, at their best, pull together to achieve a common goal, but at their worst seek to scapegoat an outsider. While this is nominally aimed at children, it's a great read for all ages, especially if you have been or will be going to the Scilly Isles.

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LibraryThing member debnance

Gracie and Daniel know they are not to go near the Birdman. But is the Birdman really the dangerous figure others say?

A little story about perceptions and war and curses and prejudice that will get even young children thinking about important ideas. (less)

LibraryThing member KrystleLow

Although it was quite a predictable story, plot-wise, I still really enjoyed it. I liked how the story was told in the point of view of a child, rather than an adult. It's a bit refreshing, I think. I was very slightly annoyed by how the conversations were carried out, though. It sounded a bit like

an annoying, too-curious child. Haha.

I also found the ending a little too 'simple'. I think that the villagers caved in a little too easily with minimum persuasion. And although Big Tim was one of the last ones to comply, I still thought that realistically, it wouldn't have taken that quick to convince a whole village to do the compete opposite of what they've been led to believe their entire lives, and probably generations before.

Either way, I loved it and I would really love to read more from the author.

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LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool

This story is set on a remote island in the days leading up to World War I. 'You keep away from the Birdman,' warned Gracie's father. 'Keep well clear of him, you hear me now?' But Gracie and her friend Daniel discover the Birdman isn't mad or dangerous as everyone says. Yet he does warn them to

stay away from the abandoned Samson Island - he says it's cursed. And when the children are stranded on Samson by fog, Gracie returns to hear tragic news. Could the Samson Island be cursed like the Birdman says? When a narwhal is beached on the sand of their island, it seems that the curse is about to strike their home. Together Birdman and the children save the narwhals and their community.

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