The Wreck of the Zanzibar Award-winning

Author/Illustrator

Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is a master storyteller, weaving captivating stories full of drama and intensity that are coming to be regarded as true classics. Exploring the most profound subjects with a light yet powerful touch, his books tell unforgettable stories in simple, direct words.

Michael Morpurgo discovered his talent for writing while working as a teacher. “We had to read the children a story every day and my lot were bored by the book I was reading. I decided I had to do something and told them the kind of story I used to tell my kids – it was like a soap opera, and they focused on it. I could see there was magic in it for them, and realised there was magic in it for me.”

Living in Devon, listening to Mozart, and working with children have provided most of the stimulae Michael needs to discover and write his stories. He spends about half his life mucking out sheds with the children, feeding sheep or milking cows; the other half he spends dreaming up and writing stories. “For me, the greater part of writing is daydreaming, dreaming the dream of my story until it hatches out – the writing down of it I always find hard. But I love finishing it, then holding the book in my hand and sharing my dream with my readers.”

Reviews

1. Polly
   on 30 January 2015

   Lol

   Very good

   5out of 5

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What kids think

1. chattymat
   on 20 October 2014

   great. 10/10

2. loobyloulou123
   on 9 March 2014

   This book was ok

   3out of 5

3. heart29
   on 7 March 2014

   I remember reading this book a few years ago, and it seems as if i still remember every page so clearly!

   5out of 5

4. bookaholic202
   on 7 March 2014

   This book is awesome! I love how the author makes the story come alive in your head.

5. Orange82
   on 29 July 2013

   I read it it was quite good

   2out of 5

6. sdeane910
   on 27 May 2013

   GOOD BOOK FOR KIDS!!

   4out of 5

7. christie24
   on 27 April 2013

   I thought this book was one of the best books I have read so far in my life. Michael Morpurgo books are all so good

   5out of 5

8. BookieMcBook
   on 4 March 2013

   After food is going short, Laura’s brother leaves on a ship- the Zanzibar. To make things worse, the ship disappears and nobody knows if the people on it are alive or dead. Laura and her family and friends are getting hungrier. Will everything be okay? I loved this book. It had Michael Morpurgo’s natural fun and quality, and, as many will agree, was an amazing book.

   5out of 5

9. evil-penguin
   on 9 December 2012

   I think this book is a great read and is sad at some parts, but is worth reading

10. thestickthing
    on 29 June 2012

    I like this book but its very boring in places. Overall its ok.

    3out of 5

11. inezglitter
    on 10 April 2012

    i read this book in school with my class and it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12. nikki657
    on 3 March 2012

    I thought that this book was amazing and it gets 11/10 from me. If you like adventure you will love this book. AMAZING!!!!!!!!

13. twistofgold11
    on 1 March 2012

    I loved this book, I thought Billy would never come back- what a lucky day for them, cows in the zanzibar, timber, to fix granny may’s roof! Everything turned out great, the style of the person reading the diary was effective and I enjoyed reading it. Great and very discriptive, one of the most enjoyable bookks I have expeirianced reading!

    5out of 5

14. sweethart184
    on 25 February 2012

    I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

    5out of 5

15. booksrcul
    on 29 January 2012

    Awesome! I love turtles!

    5out of 5

16. pawprint2
    on 7 January 2012

    awesome!!!! loved it!!!

    5out of 5

17. ya
    on 23 May 2011

    i have just finished reading it as a school novel but it wasnt really for me. it is filled with saddnes but not very exiciting it is about a girl called laura and her brother moves away and laura misses him sooo much but he does come back but all through the book it is all about the same thing which is why i dont really like it but kaspar the prine of cats is another book writrten by michael murpurgo and it is amazing!!!! you have to read it!!!!

18. tinktink999
    on 15 May 2011

    Read it in school as a class novel. One of Morpurgos best but not really five-star. Full of adventure and sorrow.You should read it. For any gender.

19. chloenut9
    on 3 March 2011

    I’ve just finished this book at school and in the near future I would like to read it again it is a fabulous book filled with love,fear and help.I would say 100 out of 100 in this but I think Laura was put through a lot.xxx

20. coathanger
    on 20 February 2011

    It great. I loved it , it was very exciting and addictive!!

21. Molly13579
    on 30 July 2010

    Hi This book is an amazing diary entry from Michael’s (character)Great Aunt Laura’s life journey. From Kim Rawlings Michael Morpurgo Super Fan

22. geecboy4
    on 20 January 2010

    See back 100years at zanzibar to the great wreckage, read the diary of the old nanny, get your imagination flowing, I ratethis book 10/10

    5out of 5

23. zzzzrose
    on 6 October 2009

    this is a good book i think everyone would like it

    5out of 5

24. Ben05
    on 6 June 2009

    This story is excellent. The characters are excellent – everything about it is excellent. Another 5/5 for Michael Morpurgo!

    5out of 5

25. 3456tulip
    on 19 May 2009

    Soooooooooooooooooo good, very exciting

    5out of 5

26. libbylala2
    on 17 April 2009

    the book is so touching i just love michael morpurgo and i once tripped him up on the ilse of scilly’s (whoops!!!)

    5out of 5

27. Nat888
    on 25 December 2008

    A really great book. Shows the charictors emotions amazingly, very touching.