Kensuke’s Kingdom

A desert-island adventure, and a subtle observation of friendship, trust and humanity. Winner of The Children’s Book Award. Superbly read by DEREK JACOBI. When Michael is washed up on an island in the Pacific after falling from his parents’ yacht, he struggles to survive on his own. He can’t find food and he can’t find water, and as Michael and his dog curl up to sleep, he knows they cannot last long. But he soon realises there is someone close by, someone who is watching over him and helping him to stay alive. Following a close-run battle between life and death, the mysterious stranger – Kensuke – allows Michael into his world and they become friends, teaching and learning from each other, until the day of separation becomes inevitable. In this bestseller, Morpurgo masterfully explores the themes of survival and emotions, as the young protagonist finds himself in the heart of Oceania, battling the elements and his own fears. The Sunday Times bestselling author, delves deep into the psyche of a child stranded in an unfamiliar place, making Kensuke’s Kingdom a compelling read for both children and teens. For fans of Philip Pullman (The Firework Maker's Daughter), Katherine Rundell (The Wolf Wilder), Louis Sachar (Sideways Stories From Wayside School), Dick King-Smith (The Fox Busters), and Elizabeth Laird (Welcome to Nowhere).