A Medal for Leroy

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When Michael was 13, five years after his Auntie's death, he was given Jasper to take care of when Auntie Pish couldn't do it anymore. Eventually she went into a nursing home and, about five years after the death of her sister, she gave Michael the parcel that was meant for him. International Col 1 Cambridge International Caribbean International Early Years Collins Big Cat for International Schools International Resources Webinars Catalogues Big Cat Writing Competition Winners 2023

A Medal for Leroy - Michael Morpurgo

I recommend this book to girls and boys from 8-12. You may find the book a little easy, but it is a fantastic book.

Michael's books have been translated into many languages including Chinese, Bulgarian and Hungarian, Hebrew and Japanese. He travels all over the UK and abroad talking to people of all ages at literary festivals, telling his stories and encouraging them to tell theirs. A moving story, and sad - I was on the edge of tears at points - but flowing from loss and injustice come gain, something of worth, understanding, and an affirmation of our humanity. Tull’s failure to receive a well-deserved Military Cross in honour of his World War One heroics appealed to Michael’s fondness for representing injustice in his writing, and the ‘medal’ becomes an important motif for the soldier Leroy’s forgotten bravery in the novel. Tull’s exceptional talent for football and his cool gallantry in battle are recognisable qualities in the character of Leroy. Michael is visiting his two aunt's, Auntie Pish and Auntie Snowdrop. They live together and are sisters. Auntie Pish is the one in charge, whilst Auntie Snowdrop does what she says. You wouldn't think Auntie Snowdrop has the secret she has, but before she can tell Michael the secret that will change his life forever, she dies. Michael is overcome with grief. Auntie Snowdrop was like a second mother to him. Before she died, she said to Michael that soon he would receive a parcel. Michael waits for days, weeks, months, years, but nothing comes. So by the time the mysterious parcel does come, Michael has completely forgotten about it.

A Medal for Leroy - Historical Novel Society A Medal for Leroy - Historical Novel Society

As such, historical inspiration and personal experience combine to produce this masterful account of love, loss and exorcising the family ghost.

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Sir Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved writers for children. He has written over 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, Blue Peter Book Award and the Whitbread Award. His recent bestselling novels include Listen to the Moon, A Medal for Leroy and Shadow. His novel War Horse has been successfully adapted as a West End and Broadway theatre play and a major film by Steven Spielberg. A former Children's Laureate, Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children. Some might say that Michael Morpurgo is the nation's storyteller. A titan of literature, children all over the planet love and devour his books. This Sunday is Remembrance Day, when people across the country will stop what they're doing and observe a two-minute silence to remember those who have lost their lives serving their country.