Private Peaceful Award-winning by Michael Morpurgo (author) (UK edition)

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. Freddie
   on 26 September 2011

   Private Peaceful

   the most innocent and pure book i have ever read, so true to itself and an incredibly well writ novel, truly beautiful

   5out of 5

2. Rubba B@b3i
   on 6 March 2011

   private peacelful

   best book ever read- amazing definitely should read

   5out of 5

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What kids think

1. Stargirl12345
   on 4 March 2016

   i loved it one of the best books ever. i read it last year ! AMAIZING! u must read!

   5out of 5

2. happy-reading189
   on 3 March 2016

   The book is not that bad but in some parts i Sincerely NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT THEY MEANT.

   4out of 5

3. 14ESW
   on 24 February 2015

   I thought this was a deeply moving book and I don`t usually cry when I read books but6 at the end of private peaceful I cried it was so sad.

   3out of 5

4. chattymat
   on 20 October 2014

   A very sad and touching book. 10/10

5. catchingfire2
   on 22 August 2014

   one of the best books i have ever read. So sad but a great story.

   5out of 5

6. Pooky333
   on 17 July 2014

   Had this as a guided reading book. All of us on our table thought it had an unexpected ending. This book shows you the true hardship of life for a boy living through World War One. It is told as Thomas Peaceful is remembering his younger days. The layout of this story is unusual as it uses times as chapter headings.

7. loobyloulou123
   on 9 March 2014

   this book should come with a free box of tissues!

   3out of 5

8. Mohsen1010
   on 7 March 2014

   A poignant book that I immediately fell in love with. Passionate and deep, it is a story about true love and friendship- you’ll cry your hearts out, helplessly wanting to change the fates of the characters that you grow to love.

9. zippy123
   on 5 March 2014

   Loved this book. recommend to read

10. TommieGirl1906
    on 27 February 2014

    This book is amazing. We read it in school and I couldn’t help myself from buying it at home and reading on ahead. It is sad but a great page turner.

    5out of 5

11. Imaan1905
    on 21 December 2013

    Loved it

    5out of 5

12. Blue99Star
    on 16 December 2013

    I love this book because it actually looks like its for real and has a sweet memorial in it. :)

13. moggymogs11
    on 11 December 2013

    It was quite a good book, and used a lot of descriptive and emotive language. It was an enjoyable read- but in some parts it was a bit too emotional, and a bit too sad.

    4out of 5

14. MrsBoyband
    on 7 December 2013

    Read this book. I think it’s awesome it sad though.

    5out of 5

15. PrincessEmma
    on 28 November 2013

    I LOVED this book It has a mixture of greed, love and friendship.

    5out of 5

16. Leighton9
    on 25 November 2013

    Well I’ve only read about 4 pages and it pulls you in straight away so I would give it a try! Michael Morpurgo is one of my all time favourites!!!

    5out of 5

17. aryan19
    on 2 November 2013

    it is a good book

18. nessielove
    on 30 October 2013

    I’ve read this through once completely and am now reading it at school as part of our work. I cry every time I read the ending.

    It’s an incredibly emotional story and I connect to Tommo as he tells his story.

    5out of 5

19. Swiftie-Loves-Cookies
    on 26 October 2013

    I’ve read this through once completely and am now reading it at school as part of our work. I cry every time I read the ending.

    It’s an incredibly emotional story and I connect to Tommo as he tells his story.

    Michael Morpurgo has always been one of my favourite authors, he writes with such emotion and clarity. This book is one of my favourites.

    5out of 5

20. bennie
    on 22 October 2013

    i loved this book

    5out of 5

21. FallenAngel16
    on 20 October 2013

    Five star! I couldn’t stop reading and I’ve read it a thousand times. It makes me cry everytime, it makes me laugh everytime: it moves emotions the sae way a lost puppy can. Five star every time!

    5out of 5

22. 10000madison
    on 12 October 2013

    so far very interesting :)

    4out of 5

23. Feets09
    on 2 September 2013

    I love this book Michael Morpurgo this is a classical. Thanks Amy x

    5out of 5

24. MisterySweeties66
    on 25 April 2013

    emotional book about a young boy called tommo

    5out of 5

25. CaitlinR12
    on 11 April 2013

    This book is absolutley fantanstic. It is a very emotional novel about war. It keeps you waiting for the circumstances. I reccomend this book to people aged 8 to any.

    5out of 5

26. Nashdasher
    on 9 March 2013

    A sad but really wonderful and heart breaking book

27. lap312i
    on 8 March 2013

    i would like to read this book,it seems really interesting

28. samcharlie123
    on 8 March 2013

    A great book, with a sad ending though. I’d recommend to Michael Morpurgo fans aged 10+.

    5out of 5

29. bouncybunny
    on 6 March 2013

    I loved the bond tommy had with his brother and was really sad when tommoys brother got shor I felt so sad, I mean what about is baby and his girlfriend , such a good and heartbreaking book I loved this book

30. powerpush22
    on 19 February 2013

    This book is not Private but peaceful.

31. bookuniverse
    on 1 January 2013

    This book was good but sometimes it got confusing because of the time changing.But overall it was a good book.I would recommend this book for 10+.

32. DoTheImpossible
    on 15 December 2012

    Now, although this seems like a cliched story, it is anything but that! I love the way Michael Morpurgo tells the story, as we get to understand Big Joe, and we feel so sorry for Tommy. It allows you to be so much more grateful for the life around you and to understand how precious it is to know that you won’t get shot at any moment by an enemy! One of the very best books I’ve ever read.

    5out of 5

33. donzmadman5
    on 11 September 2012

    this book is really intersting this boook is safe lalalalalal!!!!!!!! . woah!

    5out of 5

34. yummy123
    on 13 July 2012

    I was crying after i finshed that is how sad it is. if you want to read it please ask your parents 1st. that is how sad it is.

    4out of 5

35. littleturtle262
    on 1 July 2012

    I give this book 6 out of 5 stars. AMAZING. Very sad though so be warned.

    5out of 5

36. kicky105
    on 7 March 2012

    This is a very powerful book. It really makes you think about the war and what people expected and how different it really was when you got there. It is also about a love triangle and friendships. We read it at school and I’m really glad I did as I enjoyed it more than I thought I would!

37. smileitsfriday
    on 4 March 2012

    Really sweet story. I was so upset when I had finally realised what had happened to Charlie! * * *

38. nikki657
    on 3 March 2012

    i love michael morpurgo and this just has to be one of his best books!!!!!!!

39. dashernasher
    on 3 March 2012

    one of his best books but the ending made me cry.

    5out of 5

40. sweethart184
    on 2 March 2012

    i wish stuff like in this book never happened in real life

41. mutemath4ever
    on 2 March 2012

    This is a great book and it is very powerful. It is another Michael Morpurgo gem. It is set in WW1 and is about 2 brothers. It starts off with them aged 3-4 and goes all the way till they are adults and they enlist as soldiers. It ends really sadly – i won’t tell you how, or it will spoil it- and i cried but overall it is a great book, and i recommend it for ages 12+

42. angelslater
    on 1 March 2012

    i liked this book and i do think boys would like to read this book as it was about war.

    4out of 5

43. booksrcul
    on 29 January 2012

    This book is my other favourite book by Michael Morpurgo. However, it is very sad at the end.

    5out of 5

44. pawprint2
    on 7 January 2012

    BEST BOOK EVER

    5out of 5

45. 10cbenmathew
    on 2 December 2011

    it is very good and sad was well

    5out of 5

46. SianWilmot
    on 27 November 2011

    I Love the book Its About the war and its a quite of a happy ending but i wont tell you too much i dont want to give it away the main character is tommo and he has 2 brothers and its about the past :)

47. Cupcakekid11
    on 4 November 2011

    This book was really good – even though it was a bit sad at the end! :(

    4out of 5

48. pjoh1
    on 29 October 2011

    this book is my fav book

    5out of 5

49. Molly13579
    on 20 October 2011

    This is a cool book but is very sad. However I still enjoyed reading this book by the wonderful michael morpurgo.

50. tomot
    on 22 September 2011

    Amazing the best book ever. Quiet sad and written great.

    5out of 5

51. funpuppy2
    on 18 August 2011

    i love this book . i love the way the author has hooked you in the second you start reading

    5out of 5

52. Mrspenny06
    on 17 May 2011

    I LOVE THIS BOOK WE ARE READING IT IN SCHOOL IT IS SO BRILLANT WE ARE AT THE BIT WHERE MOLLY GETS PREGANT AND CHARLIE AND TOMMO GO OFF TO WAR TO FIGHT IT IS GOING TO GET REALLY SAD I THINK I DONT THINK ITS A HAPPY ENDING

    5out of 5

53. cazz235
    on 15 April 2011

    I love this book i’m reading it at the moment and it just keeps getting better but not atall better because of the sad bits i’m up to the part where big joe goes missing :(

    5out of 5

54. lucy11
    on 9 April 2011

    This is a FABULOUS book.My teacher read this to us in class and I want to buy it and read it again.

    5out of 5

55. megsi
    on 4 April 2011

    Hello :) I have read this book lots and lots and it never fails to make me cry. I strongly recoment this book. Most of my friends love it too. If you like a gripping story then this is the book for you! By the end you will be in tears turning the last page. It will have you page turning untill the end! Give this book a read. You will love it!

    5out of 5

56. shannon1325
    on 24 March 2011

    I have read this book and it is realy realy good and all of my freinds have 2 and they loved it

    5out of 5

57. shanan
    on 5 March 2011

    its ok i say it is not thet good thow

58. mzzycutie
    on 4 March 2011

    I lyk the story gud and weare doing it in english and do ulot remember wen molly gets chnged front of tommo and charlie but before dat charlie and molly get change together den molly dares tommo to do it she watches him

59. SillyylliS
    on 3 March 2011

    A great book by michael morpurgo!! Ididn’t want to put it down

    5out of 5

60. monkey00
    on 3 March 2011

    I like the look of this book. with the butterfly’s on the front and everything i would so love to read it.

61. funky11
    on 3 March 2011

    suh a good book

62. fizzpop01
    on 3 March 2011

    this books quite sad but i loved it all the way throgh

63. Princess-Aysha
    on 3 March 2011

    Michael Morpurgo creates an intense atmosphere, which emphasizes the surroundings, the relationships between characters and how they feel.

64. Fumatory
    on 3 March 2011

    I think this was brilliant. The ending was sad, but wasn’t boring. My mum even read it because I told her it was such a fantastic book. It even bought her to tears. You really get to know the characters. And they become nearly your friend. If you are considering reading/buying this book, consider no longer! Buy/read it now. I have recomended to my friends and they all loved the book. Another great read from author Micheal Morpurgo.

    5out of 5

65. cari0608
    on 3 March 2011

    I loved this book, I love war stores but this has to be one of my all time favourites! :)

    5out of 5

66. elephant15
    on 3 March 2011

    it is very good and made me cry, it is a very emotional book,

67. Lottie-books
    on 27 February 2011

    This book is absolutely heart-breaking, though I read it when I was 8 so did not touching, if I read it again I would cry.

    5out of 5

68. magicpavi19
    on 24 February 2011

    this book is full of love courge and cowardice some parts can get boring but its good!

    4out of 5

69. Bookwormloveshollister
    on 23 February 2011

    It is a pure classic! Join Tommo and his flashbacks to discover the mystery behind his love life.

    5out of 5

70. Egghead
    on 14 February 2011

    Absolutely BRILLINT!!!

    5out of 5

71. RosePetal
    on 8 January 2011

    I am really enjoying this book (as I am reading it in my English class at school) and can’t wait until the end!

    An epic piece of writing.

72. hug
    on 6 January 2011

    So sad, read it in school its all about this boy named tommo and charlie

    i recommend it to anybody who likes sad stories

    enjoy,to whoever reads it and keep some tissues on the side with just in case

    5out of 5

73. princezz44
    on 9 December 2010

    its really good but i wish you could read the whole of the books that u chse

    5out of 5

74. HorribleHistoriesAddict72
    on 29 November 2010

    This book is brilliant. The excessive amount of thought put into it is outstanding. It is so clever, and extremely sad, yet at the same time so gripping and complex. Possibly not for younger children, as it may be a bit too complicated, but anyone from the age of 11 up can read this book and enjoy it. Truly magnificent.

    5out of 5

75. cutiegirl
    on 5 November 2010

    i think this novel is adorable its the most adorable story ive ever read in my life

    4out of 5

76. star345
    on 10 September 2010

    A really good book

77. beautifuldead
    on 9 August 2010

    I enjoyed reading this book but it wasn’t my favourite beacause i prefer fantasy so… It was verry well written though

    3out of 5

78. chicken15642
    on 26 June 2010

    I loved this book captures the war with great success. It brings tears to your eyes from start to finish.

    5out of 5

79. Linnea80
    on 18 May 2010

    It was good!

    4out of 5

80. xxisabellatrixx
    on 11 March 2010

    michael morpurgo is one of the best writers i have ever known, his entire collection of books has me captivated and inspired. i read private peaceful as a school project at first but have read it several times since because i found it son enjoyable i would reccommend this book to anyone! five stars!

    5out of 5

81. Book-Kid
    on 7 February 2010

    This book is really good. I think it is really emotinal and it makes you think about the 1000’s of people who lost their lives during WW1. Michael Morpurgo portrayed being a WWW1 soldier brilliantly.

82. Hillywho
    on 22 January 2010

    This book is an emotional tale of two young brothers and their relationship throughout their childhood. I would definately recomend this book to children aged 10+. Any younger than that and it will be a bit too complicated!

    5out of 5

83. flipflopweirdos
    on 3 January 2010

    This is one of the best books ever! It has everything: humour, sadness, love, fighting and regret. For everyone who has ever hurt and wanted to be in the war (you probably won’t after reading it, though!) But this book is BRILL!

    5out of 5

84. AlexB90
    on 9 December 2009

    Amazing book

    5out of 5

85. monkeysbananas
    on 1 December 2009

    WOW!!! this book is amazing! it’s written so well and it’s emotional and just a book i would recommend!

    5out of 5

86. leahbealy
    on 8 November 2009

    This is a brilliant book, i have read it twice and planning on to read it again!

    5out of 5

87. Kebabbie
    on 12 October 2009

    This book was one of the deepest and saddest books I’ve ever read. I nearly cried at the end! Michael Morpurgo wrote this book really well and he made me feel sorry for the main character. I’d recommend this to anyone with a small bit of knowledge about WW2 and someone who is 10+ would probably find this the most interesting.

    5out of 5

88. StanboroughH7
    on 11 September 2009

    This book, as you can see from my profile, is my favorite book, along with Born to Run, both by Michael Morpurgo. I’m not the only person that likes it, as it is the winner of the Blue Peter Book Award. Private Peaceful is a book about a boy called Thomas Peaceful, and other members of his family like Charlie Peaceful. They go everywhere together, but when Thomas starts school, they get split up.

    5out of 5

89. Stormydachshund
    on 9 September 2009

    I had to read this for a school book, it was really good but quite upsetting when… well, read it and you’ll find out!

    5out of 5

90. hornet
    on 31 August 2009

    His book is about a boy called tommo who is looking over his child hood life of him and his brother in world war two battle field.

    5out of 5

91. Ben05
    on 6 June 2009

    This was an excellent book by an excellent author.

    5out of 5

92. shatha
    on 9 May 2009

    woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow amaaaaaazing i looooove booookss private peacful is breath taking ammmaazinggg man just see how good it is by reading the first sentens mazing

    5out of 5

93. Soapi-Sixpence
    on 30 April 2009

    I love this book because of all the description and the way the Michael Morpurgo slowly came to the end and the way he descriped the young soldiers life and the way he felt because he knew his brother would die.

    5out of 5

94. emzie-luef
    on 15 February 2009

    I loved this book when i was reading this i was in cowrth-flexlands and we read it in class. my teacher said it was good so we all read it we went on until we came to the end and i remember someone in my class crying at the end fo the book i found this book a true love story and very interesting.

    5out of 5

95. Pritty
    on 17 November 2008

    it is an awesome book…... a mus reaad…. it is quite short but stilll very good…. ir ecomend it to everyone….

    5out of 5

96. curry
    on 10 November 2008

    i loved this book i loved all the characters especially big joe i loved the training and the yellow plane this book made me want to cry!i hated to think i had finished it!

    5out of 5

Other formats or editions