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Why the Whales Came

Michael Morpurgo

Why the Whales Came

Subjects

  • Action Adventures - chills, thrills and plenty of spills
  • Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
  • History Time - blasts from the past
  • Facts & Information - lists, stats and plenty of facts
  • Facts & Information - lists, stats and plenty of facts
  • Facts & Information - lists, stats and plenty of facts

Average rating

4 out 5

35 reviews

An exciting historical adventure from War Horse author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo.

Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. They build up a lovely friendship with him, but when the children get stranded on Samson Island they don’t know whether to believe the birdman’s story that the island is cursed. Set against the backdrop of the First World War, in the tradition of Friend or Foe and Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo brings the emotional reality of conflict to life in a way that is accessible to younger readers. Look out for his other historical adventures including An Eagle in the Snow and Listen to the Moon.

Reviews

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Could put this book down!

Judge Panther Dangerous 04.09.2023

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I enjoyed this book I have only ever read one other Michael morpurgo : cool. I usually find them too sad. Wtwc(why the whales came.) isn't that sad apart from somebody (not saying who.) Gets on a boat and never comes back I really recommend this book.

Senorita Candyfloss Hammersmith 30.08.2023

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I really enjoyed this book but, it was a little scary, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under the age of ten.

Empress Esmerelda Waltzer 28.07.2023

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There were two boys Gracie and Daniel and when they sailed to get some fish for Gracie's mum they got lost in a fog. Yes, I would recommend it to someone

Anonymous 24.08.2022

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My favourite part was when they all started leaving messages in the sand

Doctor Pinky Teacup 17.07.2022

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I lived the level of realism, believable but not boring.

Viscount Adolpho Quarantine 03.08.2021

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You should read this book because it is not what you think it is. It has whales and people

Empress Birthday-cake Gravy 01.10.2020

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I would recommend this book for kids in the 3 to 4 . My favourite character is Daniel because he is brave and he is very disobedience

Officer Candyfloss Sherbet 01.09.2020

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This book is good it is all about a little girl and and boy who make friends with someone called the birdman, and they go to an island that was not supposed to be visited. This book was a bit boring so wouldn't recommend it to anyone else.

Anonymous 30.08.2020

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My favourite character was Daniel. I enjoyed how the book dragged me in.

General Kipper Pineapple 05.08.2020

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Brilliant Amazing Fantastic Adventure with gracie and daniel

Dame Iggy Gravy 05.08.2020

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I think the Bird Man sacrificed his life so Bryher did not have the curse of Samson I really enjoyed reading the book because Daniel and Gracie made friends with the Bird Man and their Parent's said to keep away from him as everyone was scared

Anonymous 29.07.2020

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It had such a good story line and was hard to put down. Different to other stories and then has a deep meaning

Anonymous 22.07.2020

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It was good and interesting. I learnt a lot about WW2. My favourite character is Gracie.

Empress Birthday-cake Astronomical 22.07.2020

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I like it how the dad comes back at the end and how the bird-man is nice

Queen Candyfloss Legend 29.06.2020

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Brilliant book definitely recommended

Dona Honeycomb Haystack 28.08.2019

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This book is extremely addictive and helps people who aren't intrested in books , start reading straight away. Two children - Gracie and Daniel - live in the island of Scilly. They are often warned to keep away from the "mad" birdman. One mysterious day, the two children find a message from the birdman thet proves his innocence. Next , the children get stranded on the "cursed" Samson Island. Will they ever return unharmed to their worried families?

Marshal Iguana Vesuvius 11.08.2019

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I love any book by Michael Morpurgo but 'why the whales came' is my favourite. I read it all in one day and couldn'tput the book down for second .

Anonymous 24.07.2019

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It was OK, I guess. The first parts were rather boring. It wasn’t until the last couple of chapters when things began to get good, and the book became gripping and one you just didn’t want to put down. I liked Gracie best, because she relates to me. She always wants to help, and she can get up to a lot of mischief. I would probably not recommend it to someone, however, because only the end was good, and the entire book should be good.

Anonymous 12.12.2018

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I thought the book was interesting. My favourite character was the whale. It is about a girl called Gracie and her friend Daniel who they met a man called the birdman. All people say that if anything bad happens its his fault. But they did not think that?

Anonymous 26.08.2018