Kensuke's Kingdom

by Michael Morpurgo

"A spellbinding tale of survival and self-discovery from award-winning author Michael Morpurgo (author of War Horse).

When Michael's parents lose their jobs, they buy a boat and decide to sail around the world with their son and their beloved dog. It's an ideal trip - until Michael is swept overboard. He's washed up on an island, where he struggles to survive. Then he discovers that he's not alone. His fellow-castaway, Kensuke, keeps his distance at first. But when Michael's life is threatened, he slowly lets the boy into his world."

Quote from the story: "I was in the cold of the sea before I could even open my mouth to scream." This story built in momentum like a snowball rolling down hill and continued to grow as it landed in my heart.  I wanted to read it faster and faster, yet I didn't want it to ever end!  In this junior book for grade schoolers, we learn about Michael's life, how he and his dog (Stella) are lost at sea and must learn to survive when they are washed upon the shore of a deserted island.  However Micheal is not alone, there is another castaway on the island who provides what Michael and Stella need to survive but also keeps a mysterious distance from them.   This book found a place in my heart for Kensuke, an aged Japanese castaway from WWII who has lived for decades alone on the island, befriending the local wildlife and trying to protect them from poachers who steal the young primates to sell. This story is sprinkled with historical facts and information so younger readers learn about history without it being tedious.  I enjoyed all of the emotions this book made me feel and found it gently introduced topics young readers could bring up for discussion.  A modern version of "Island of the Blue Dolphins" for today's junior reader.  If you can, find the "illustrated" version as I feel the drawings add greatly to the story.

Heidi Y.