Billy the Kid
Michael Morpurgo, Michael Foreman
Billy was a champion soccer star, playing for Chelsea in the 1930s. But that was before war broke out…
Billy the Kid is told through the voice of an 80 year old man, who looks back on his life as Chelsea’s champion striker until the outbreak of war in 1939 and on through his subsequent life. Billy joins Chelsea as a football apprentice, rises through the reserves to become a real champion. His passion for football sees him through the war years – even as a prisoner of war he organises a friendly against the Italians – but, having been injured by a mine he cannot play for Chelsea on his return to England. Billy turns to vagrancy and alcohol and for years he wanders up and down the country. He re-settles in London in a derelict house and is befriended by a family who move him to a shed in their garden. He, in turn, helps their son with his football who in his turn becomes a Chelsea player. Billy becomes a Chelsea Pensioner and his 80th birthday is celebrated when Chelsea play at home. A novel for both children and adults which deals with some difficult issues. Michael Morpurgo’s storytelling is superb and this will be a welcome follow up to the previous Morpurgo / Foreman collaboration – Farm Boy.Reviews
I think boy's and girl's can read this book as ii is really interesting.
Anonymous 09.04.2018
Star Reviewer
I enjoyed this book.
Commander Dragon Sherbet 27.08.2024
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see how far Billy came in life and what hurdles he faced growing up.
Sir Viktor Bojangles 20.08.2024
not so thrilling as i thought it would be when i first looked at it but still good
Anonymous 17.10.2023
A great book. Lots of deep meanings
Prince Slip Palm-tree 07.09.2023
My favorite character was Maddie I would recommend this to Arabella my friend
Coach Viper Pawprint 08.08.2022
I liked Billy because he was hardworking and I recommend it to people who want to be footballers
Fairy Sunny Buffalo 28.07.2022
This is a fiction book but sometimes with non fiction things in. I didn't really like this book but it had some good words in there.
Doctor Bijou Bubble-wrap 23.07.2022
I reaal liked this book. I would recommend it to some of my friends.
Lady Pixie Nuggets 19.09.2021
This was a really good book
Officer Sunny Aardvark 17.08.2021
A fantastic Chelsea player nicknamed 'Billy the Kid' goes to war and hurts his leg and is told he will never be able to play football again.
Anonymous 09.08.2021
Really good book, I enjoyed it all.
General Viktor Endeavour 04.08.2021
I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it if someone was looking for a easy to read and lovely book.
Doctor Daffodil Piccalilli 31.07.2021
I really enjoyed it
Sergeant Switch Sofa 01.12.2020
It was sad, exciting and factual.
Anonymous 02.09.2020
Fiction, I like Billy the best because he is a really boy boy he likes to play football for Chelsea, it interested me because I wondered why I saw a picture of people beside a van what had a cross on the side of it and why it had a picture from the olden days and yes I would highly recommend this book to others around the world.
Anonymous 01.09.2020
Billy loves football. He dreams of walking out onto the Chelsea pitch, and soon his dream comes true. But a new war is starting, and soon Billy has a part in it.
Anonymous 21.08.2020
i would recommend this book to people interested in football aged between 9 and 14. it's about a boy called billy who becomes a player at Chelsea FC until world war 2 spoils it all billy joins the army driving ambulances but within a day he is a prisoner of war. my favourite part of this book is when billy and his friend Robbie organise a fa cup within the camp.
Judge Race-car Archway 19.08.2020
I enjoyed this book. I like the author. I feel sorry for Billy as his brother and parents died. He lived in a basement and then a garden shed. I liked the part where Billy was playing football. Billy was drinking too much beer but Jamie and Maddie helped him and he could drink 2 beers a day. Sam was my favourite character - this was Maddie and Jamie’s baby. I would recommend this book.
Earl Race-car Peanut-butter 15.08.2020
I liked the army bit and when they played football. This book was kind of sad and kind of happy.
Commander Pirate Palm-tree 08.08.2020
