Born to Run Award-winning author by Michael Morpurgo (author)

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. Kiki P.
   on 11 March 2020

   Good

   It is a really nice book, with an astonished and heart breaking ending! (I cried twice) I love it!
   Thanks to Michael Morpurgo who gave me the chance to read such a fantatic book!

   5 out of 5

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What kids think

1. 8tractor921
   on 1 July 2023

   I loved this book so much! I love all Micheal Morpurgo books but for me this one really stood out.

   5 out of 5

2. Aforever1d
   on 8 October 2017

   this is a sad story it almost made me cry. you have to read this book.

   5 out of 5

3. smint
   on 26 February 2017

   I feel so sorry for that poor dog. So many owners and names . That’s one incredible dog indeed. 100/100

   5 out of 5

4. foreverdogs
   on 17 April 2016

   Another fantastic book from Micheal Morpurgo. This is a heartwarming book about friendship , trust and the love this beautiful greyhound has for his owners. I highly recommend this wonderful book. If u start it you’ll never put it down.READ THIS BOOK.!😆😆

   5 out of 5

5. Catherine0703
   on 5 March 2014

   Born to run is a heart warming story written by an excellent author but remember to keep a box of tissues near by as it is quite sad.

   5 out of 5

6. Celine1
   on 5 March 2014

   This book is incredible and touching I love it

7. fantasticmissfox
   on 5 March 2014

   My sister says, ” It’s about a dog, that runs a lot. end of story.” That is true but it is a compelling read. He writes it so you feel as though you are actually there. I love Michael Morpurgo’s books.

8. Roeroerose
   on 5 March 2014

   A great read. :)

   5 out of 5

9. samy1234
   on 14 December 2013

   I think Michael Morpurgo has written this book because this book tells you about how many owners a dog can have and the many lives of one incredible dog.

   5 out of 5

10. pol09890
    on 29 May 2013

    This book was fast moving. At some points I felt really upset because there are some sad events in the book. Nevertheless, it ends happily( not a fairy tale ending though).

11. samcharlie123
    on 9 March 2013

    A heart-warming book about a dog and Patrick. When Best Mate is rescued from the canal, he has a special bond with Patrick. A story of true friendship.

    4 out of 5

12. Nashdasher
    on 8 March 2013

    the rescue of the dogs is my favourite book this book is so heart breaking

13. skyecapper316
    on 26 January 2013

    this book is very sad but very intriguing I almost cried. the dog in this book gets kidnapped but there was a little boy who saves a sack of grey hound puppy’s out of a canal.

    I would recommend this book to dog lovers and because I like dogs I really enjoyed this book I would rate it 5 stars !!

14. book-review-team
    on 8 December 2012

    i think this is every heart-rending story . it is realy sad at the end and i am dying to tell you all about it so i will but if you don’t want it ruined don’t read any more!

    the story is about a boy who finds a bag of abandoned puppies in a river. the only thing wrong is that his mum and dad do not like having pets in they’re house so will he get to keep the greyhound pups?

    sarah jennings,11

    5 out of 5

15. miriam2012
    on 10 October 2012

    This is the book ages 15-29 should read it has lessons you would appreciate

    3 out of 5

16. imi264
    on 15 July 2012

    I loved this book because I didn’t know what to expect next and it was very exciting!

    5 out of 5

17. sherlockbones217
    on 5 June 2012

    Enchanting and sad at the same time. An excellent example of how to make the best of things

18. slattery40
    on 18 May 2012

    Such a beautiful story it was one of my favourite books. But in the end I kind of got upset because…........ can’t say incase other people are reading this book! 5/5 5*

19. sweethart184
    on 7 March 2012

    this book is lovely

20. dashernasher
    on 4 March 2012

    This book is such a heart breaker I love.i could not put it down.

21. nikki657
    on 3 March 2012

    I remember reading this when I was younger and finding it so heart wrenching. I would love to read it again, and would reccomend it to anybody who wants a great read that will touch your heart.

    5 out of 5

22. bluebull100
    on 3 March 2012

    this book is really moving and its one of my faves

    5 out of 5

23. svjimmy
    on 3 March 2012

    A incredibly moving story by the amazing Micheal Morpugo.I loved this story so much I read it twice!

24. hamy1710
    on 3 March 2012

    really really good!

25. pilgrim55
    on 2 March 2012

    amazing

26. AmyXx
    on 26 February 2012

    I thought this book was sad but was good at the same time. I like the way i could picture were it was because it had that much description.I loved the way i thought i was be hide the scene looking at the story being told. I loved all the charters. I also liked why Michael Morpurgo wrote the story i thought it was a very nice reason. I would defiantly recommend this to other reader that haven’t read it but to be aware that it is very sad.

27. lovefrankie2002
    on 19 February 2012

    really great book but sad at the end cause patrick didnt remember him. my favourite character is joe.he is a very kind old softie and i think paddywack is a purfect name for the dog.i like the way the dog has lots of diferent owners and adventures and each owner is so dedicated to the dog in minding him. 5/5 for me hart-warming book

    5 out of 5

28. pawprint2
    on 5 February 2012

    I loved this book so sad😓

    5 out of 5

29. booksrcul
    on 29 January 2012

    It is good! This book was the first book by Michael Morpurgo I have read. It is quite sad at the end, it is sad through the book but it has a neat ending.

    4 out of 5

30. Robbiegrowler
    on 18 September 2011

    Deffo a 5 star it about a dog with no life hes get lost [stolen] then his friend is shot he runs away with , a girl and then she go in to the hospital an he get named paddywack and lives with a old man and saves the old peps home. all his names best mate , bright eyes and paddywack.

    5 out of 5

31. bluebasher123
    on 27 August 2011

    this book is really good and i felt sorry for the dog because it went through so much to find out that patrick had forgotten about him and loved another dog

32. bookworm75
    on 20 July 2011

    i loved this book as it is about an incredible dog who goes through the variation of names, to patrick hes best mate to to rosie hes bright eyes, to joe hes paddywack. it was very emotional.!!! it made me cry. i reccommkend it for 9-15 yr olds

    5 out of 5

33. emilythetiger
    on 10 July 2011

    it looks like a sad story and he sometimes put comculated words for 9+.

    5 out of 5

34. luckygirl2011
    on 23 June 2011

    it was amazing i cryed all the way though it

    Best book ever i think as long as u are above 8+ you could read it because it is a little bit complacated as it keeps jumping

    5 out of 5

35. floppyears
    on 16 June 2011

    This was a really good book to read. it’s a really easy read so is great if you are not a big fan of reading like me!

    4 out of 5

36. spongebob101
    on 18 May 2011

    I really liked this book and it almost makes me cry when i read it. i would reccomend it to a boy or girl aged 9+ because i dont think a 7 year old would get whats happening in it.

    5 out of 5

37. silver1
    on 5 March 2011

    BEST BOOK EVER

38. gethi
    on 3 March 2011

    It’s so sad and moving!

    4 out of 5

39. monkey00
    on 3 March 2011

    I like the look of it, but i think it would make me cry way too much!!! :(

40. UltimateBookWorm
    on 3 March 2011

    BestMate was a brilliant dog who was put through some rough times. I didn’t understand some of it as I was 9 when I read it but it was good all the same :)

    4 out of 5

41. Egghead
    on 14 February 2011

    This book is so moving but utterly amazing! Makes you want to cry!

    5 out of 5

42. Rhythm
    on 3 November 2010

    I loved the book yet still sad. I would rate 5 stars! Great book!

    5 out of 5

43. Banana88
    on 19 July 2010

    This book was a quick read, (took me a weekend to start and finish it), and was a real page turner. I thought it was very descriptive, and had a great plot, along with great characters. I reccommend this read! It was also not too sad, which was good, as I don’t like sad books! -Banana88

    5 out of 5

44. Kebabbie
    on 12 October 2009

    Really liked this book, recommend to anyone, different to what I expected

    4 out of 5

45. StanboroughH7
    on 11 September 2009

    This book, along with Private Peaceful is my favorite book. It’s about a boy who saves a few puppies from a canal, and keeps the one that caught his eye the most, Best Mate. Best Mate can run as fast as the wind, and travels from family to family racing as a champion greyhound.

    5 out of 5

46. hannahmontanafan
    on 6 September 2009

    This book is sooooo gripping as it shows you how much this dog has gone though in it’s lifetime. I say you should read it. I’m not kidding you, you will love it!!!

    Hannahmontanafan

    5 out of 5

47. Tottenham4lyfe
    on 13 August 2009

    amazing i luved this book it was one thoes you couldnt put down. it was like the book was speaking to me it was soo good. it was really sad at the end and beging and made me cry throughout the whole of it but it made me really happy too. i would reccomend this book yo anyone!!!

    5 out of 5

48. Ben05
    on 6 June 2009

    This is a moving, inspirational story about a dog. This dog experiences many disasters: deaths, disappearances. He is turned into a racing dog and finally, returned to his owner. This is a wonderful book. The characters are lifelike, and Michael Morpurgo has written this to the best of his ability. Many people (including myself), reckon that this is a sad story but also an exceptionally good one! I would recommend this book to anyone, especially dog lovers and Michael Morpurgo lovers! I can understand why Michael Morpurgo is the Author of the Month. This story deserves 5/5 – I loved it, so much to the point, that I would definitely read it again.

    5 out of 5

49. Thingymabob2
    on 27 May 2009

    This book was sooooo sad, when i found out what happened to Alfie the book got stained with tears! The dog go’s though three different names, BestMate with Patrick, Brighteyes with Becky and Paddywack with Joe. This book is a must!

    5 out of 5

50. tobyonecanoby
    on 25 April 2009

    This book was amazingly wrote by the best author ever!! It was vey sad which made the book great as it was sad and happy at the end! I LOVED IT!!

    5 out of 5

51. Nat888
    on 25 December 2008

    This book is really touching, and is a brilliant read!

    4 out of 5

52. ambz
    on 4 December 2008

    i love this book i think best mate is an amazing dog and when iam older i want a dog the same as him it has its sad moments but still it is a really really really good book

53. tabkat21
    on 9 November 2008

    I absolutely adore this book. Such a sad ending though, My breath was took away by this book, everyone has to read it, you are really missing out if you dont!!!

    5 out of 5

54. sophiesweetestpal7
    on 5 November 2008

    Born to run book is great! every one must read it even though it has a sad ending

    5 out of 5

55. keeboy
    on 20 September 2008

    this book is super buy it

    5 out of 5