Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #987 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-03
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

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

Book Jacket

"I heard the wind above me in the sails. I remember thinking, this is silly you haven't got your harness on, you haven't got your lifejacket on. You shouldn't be doing this. Then the boat veered violently and I was thrown sideways. I had no time to grab the guardrail. I was in the cold of the sea before I had time to scream."

Washed up on an island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. He can't find food, he can't find water. In the end he curls up to die. When he wakes, there is a plate of fish beside him and a bowl of fresh water.

He is not alone...

From the Author

Two of my favourite books are Treasure Island and Robinson Crusoe. So it is no accident, I suppose, that I have written books about islands--The Wreck of the Zanzibar and Why the Whales Came. But I have yearned to write my own desert island story.

Several things happened that made me do it. I heard of a family who had sold up everything, bought a yacht and sailed round the world. Someone sent me a newspaper cutting about a Japanese soldier who stayed behind on an island after the Second World War and hid. He was found after living there for 40 years on his own. Then I received a letter from a boy who had enjoyed some of the books I had written. He ended his letter this way: "I think you should write about a boy who gets stuck on a desert island". Now I had to write it.

Shortly afterwards I met Professor Tanimoto from Japan, who wanted to interview me about my writing. I interviewed him instead, about being Japanese. But still I could not get started. Then, one day, I was going milking with a group of children who had come to my farm from their city school. One girl looked at my dog and asked what she was called.

"Bercelot", I said. "What's yours called?"

"Stella Artois", she replied.

The next day, I began writing Kensuke's Kingdom.

Synopsis
Michael's parents buy a yacht, and take him off to sail round the world. Washed overboard in a fierce storm, Michael finds himself on the shore of a remote island - and soon discovers he's not alone. Kensuke, a former Japanese soldier, survived the war and the bombing of Hiroshima, but his family perished. As an extraordinary bond forms between the two, Kensuke faces a heart-breaking choice: can he give up the secluded life he's built for himself to help reunite Michael with his parents? Knowing the pain of losing his own family, Kensuke knows which way he has to decide...

Customer Reviews

'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 language. Each chapter ends on a cliff-hanger and as the main character's name is Michael also, children wonder throughout whether or not it is autobiographical. The ending of the novel is bitter-sweet but apt and the classes that I have taught this to always enjoy it. From a teacher's point of view there are many resouces and activities- as is usual with Morpurgo's novels- that can be created and adapted from his text. The paper back edition has far more illustrations than the hard back and therefore, kids seem to prefer that copy.

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. They visit various places from around the world. Michael goes over board with his dog Stella and they end up stranded on an island. After this he meets a strange man called Kensuke who has been on the island for over 30 years!
I like this story because of the way it builds up to an expected ending. It shocks you in the way it all fits together in the end.
I would recommend the book to anyone over the age of 9 hopefully everyone will enjoy this book.

louise, age 11

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 concept of survival on a desert island, to the impacts of war, losing your family, preservation of wildlife and many more. We have thoroughly enjoyed it and will doubtless read it again. The only downside - my daughter had to read the last 5 or 6 pages as I was crying so much!! We will be onto the next Michael Morpurgo book tomorrow night. I really recommend this book to you - it is a gem.