Product Description

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...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1451 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-03
• Original language: English
• 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

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...

About the Author
Loved by children, teachers and parents alike, Michael Morpurgo, the last Children's Laureate, has written more than forty books 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.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic
I found this while I was rooting through my teenage brothers books.
It didn't take long to read and I really enjoyed it. It is an original story that is well told. I often find myself thinking about the story and the character of Kensuke. Not bad for a childrens book!!
I have since enjoyed other Michael Morpurgo books.
I would recommend this for children and adults alike.

'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