Awards

• Short-listed for Red House Children's Book Award: Younger Readers 2003
• Shortlisted for Red House Children's Book Award (Younger Reader) 2003.
• Shortlisted for Red House Children's Book Award: Younger Readers 2003.

Overview

Michael Morpurgo’s inspiring new story of Robbie, a boy in a coma – victim of a car accident. Locked inside his own head, able to hear but not move or speak, Robbie tries to keep himself from slipping ever deeper into unconsciousness. Robbie, football fan and animal lover, runs after his dog Lucky one day when he chases a cat and is hit by a car. Unconscious, Robbie lies in hospital, unable to speak, move or eat. But he can hear; he is aware, even though his family and friends don’t know this. Inside his head, we hear Robbie’s thoughts; on his Mum and sister, why his parents are separated. His friends and family try desperately to reach him – even Zola, his favourite Chelsea footballer, comes to see him. And still Robbie can’t ‘wake up’. Until one day, against hospital rules, Dad brings Lucky into the hospital. Can Lucky bring Robbie back to life?

Full Product Details

9780007131044

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Reviews

Praise for Michael Morpurgo: Michael Morpurgo writes brilliantly about war and animals, conveying the big emotions without preaching. Guardian Champagne quality over a wide range of subjects. Daily Telegraph There are few children's writers as compelling as Michael Morpurgo. Daily Express Morpurgo, as always, is subtle and skilful, and incorporates social and moral issues into his writing without being self-righteous or detracting from the quality of the narrative Elizabeth Reilly, British Council The former children's laureate has the happy knack of speaking to both child and adult readers. Guardian

Praise for Michael Morpurgo: “Michael Morpurgo writes brilliantly about war and animals, conveying the big emotions without preaching.” Guardian “Champagne quality over a wide range of subjects.” Daily Telegraph “There are few children’s writers as compelling as Michael Morpurgo.” Daily Express “Morpurgo, as always, is subtle and skilful, and incorporates social and moral issues into his writing without being self-righteous or detracting from the quality of the narrative” Elizabeth Reilly, British Council “The former children's laureate has the happy knack of speaking to both child and adult readers.” Guardian

Michael Morpurgo is one of today's most highly acclaimed children's authors. His works cover the whole gamut of young people's experience, from Arthurian fantasy to the foot-and-mouth crisis. This brief novel belongs in a class of its own. A mere hundred or so pages long, it's is a masterpiece of compassion, and the young hero, fighting for his life in a Devon hospital, is an inspiration to every child facing a time of crisis. Robbie Ainsley is just 10 when he is knocked down by a car as he attempts to rescue his dog, Lucky. He is rushed to hospital, but remains in a coma, unable to speak, move or see. However, he still has some of his senses - hearing, touch and smell - as well as a quicksilver mind, and this is Robbie's story of his life as experienced from his hospital bed. He imagines what his nurse looks like; he recalls the sensation of his Gran's powdery cheek against his own; he can smell his Mum's perfume; he listens avidly to the recorded voices of his classmates. But as the days and weeks pass by, Robbie shows no signs of recovery, and slips deeper into unconsciousness. His favourite Chelsea footballer visits him; the remorseful car driver travels down from Scotland to sit by his bed; yet no one seems able to trigger a response. As Robbie drifts into a deepening coma, those dearest to him are drawing nearer to each other in their distress. His parents decide to give their shaky marriage another go, and for much of the book this seems to be what Robbie has wanted above anything. Perhaps this can be the turning point - for if it can't drag him back from the brink of death, what can? Despite the humorous tone this is a deeply affecting novel, and one which could be used in many classrooms to great effect. Robbie faces despair, misery and frustration, yet his determination to get better keeps him going, however wretched he feels. The adults in this story all have something to learn from Robbie's example, and his experience has a powerful influence on all their lives. Ages 8+ (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Michael Morpurgo OBE is one of the UK's best-loved authors for children and young people. He was the third UK Children's Laureate and he has won the Children's Book Award, the Nestle Children's Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award. There have been many stage and screen adaptations of his books, including a major film and award-winning stage play based on War Horse. Michael also set up the charity Farms for City Children with his wife Clare.

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