Michael Morpurgo

A warm ghost story about an Irish island community coming together, through the determination of a disabled girl and her family, to save the place they love. Part of a major relaunch campaign of Michael Morpurgo's backlist.

Gracie and Daniel have been warned to keep away from the Birdman, but they discover that he isn't mad. He does warn them to stay away from Samson Island! When the children land on the island in fog, they return to hear of a tragic death. Can they find out what the Birdman knows before it's too late.

A thought-provoking insight into the experience of evacuees, 'Friend or Foe' highlights the feelings of hatred brought out by war, but also the possibility for hope. Part of a major relaunch campaign of Michael Morpurgo's backlist.

A warm fantasy about a ghost looking out for his descendants and seeing ancient wrongs righted which was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize. Part of a relaunch campaign of the Michael Morpurgo backlist in August 2001.

Toby Jenkins, a quiet, homesick boy, always hates going back to his boarding school at the start of term. This term he forms a friendship with a new boy, Simon Christopher, who confides a great secret in him. Simon tells Toby he is the next Jesus and Toby becomes his first disciple. Whether Simon is who he says or not, he instils in his friends a belief in themselves and they find life suddenly begins to go their way. Then things start to turn ugly. There has always been rivalry between the 'toffs' at school and the 'oiks' in the village, and this escalates into open fighting. Simon and his disciples vow to end the violence, and finally succeed, but at a terrible price. In powerful closing scenes, Simon's claim to be Christ is discovered by the staff, he is expelled and the group is humiliated before their school. In a sudden final twist, we learn just as Simon Christopher leaves that a girl he couldn't seem to heal has just begun to get better.

A brilliant novel about the Second World War, conjuring up vividly the tension and dangers of an occupied community, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Fiction Award. Part of a major relaunch campaign of the Michael Morpurgo backlist beginning in August 2001.

Winner of The Red House CHildren's Book Award.

Ranging from eerie ghost stories to gritty realism, this collection includes a wide variety of subjects: What does it feel like? Sofia is late for school when she sees tanks arrive in the village square. She manages to hide, only to witness horrific events. The Owl and the Pussycat An abandoned owlet seems to be on the road to recovery when it is rescued and fed. But why is the large ginger cat so interested? Silver Ghost A young Canadian comes to Britain to visit his ancestral home. Who is the strange old man he meets at the house and how can he explain to the police the events which follows?

The polar bear is bored of his white environment and his hard life. He dreams of soaking himself in all the luminous colours of the rainbow. But when his wish is granted, he realises to his cost that his arctic camouflage no longer works and he needs the advice of others to escape his prism...A moving tale of hopes and dreams from an award-winning picture book team. The lyrical text is complemented by beautiful watercolours in which the joy and pain of the Rainbow Bear sing out.

Wombat loves digging deep holes and thinking deep thoughts, but nobody thinks much of that until danger threatens the bush and the small wombat comes up with a great big idea...

The 'Black Queen' is what Billy calls his shadowy next-door neighbour. She always wears a black cloak and a wide-brimmed black hat. She lurks about her garden, alone except for her black cat. Scarily for Billy, the Black Queen befriends him and asks him to look after her cat while she's away.

A collection of Michael Morpurgo's short stories. They reflect his love of myths and legends, his concern that we learn from the past, and his keen sense of place.

Washed up on a desert island in the Pacific, Michael struggles to survive on his own. He can't find food or water, and lies down to die. When he wakes up there is a plate of fish and fruit and a bowl of fresh water beside him. Then he realizes he is not alone on the island after all.

But it's true,' Tom shouted. 'It was a real lion, I know it was.'No-one believes Tom when he says he has seen a lion - padding around the orchard with a string of sausages in its mouth! No-one, that is, except for Clare, the cleverest girl in the class. Together, she and Tom plan to prove his story is true - by catching the lion!

Young Jessie is fighting to be accepted in spite of her "cerebral lousy palsy", as she comes to call her disability. In this tale of familial love and struggle, she and her American cousin Jack discover the joys and perils of a real adventure and of fighting for the things you really want.

From the moment of his birth, Montezuma is a survivor. From his encounter with a tin can to his fight with the farm's dog and on through his adventures as he roams the farmyard and the fields beyond, he changes, from fiery kitten to a tired old tom-cat. By the author of "The Whales Came".