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laureads34's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
spencerannus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
emmagray13's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
mat_tobin's review against another edition
3.0
I'm usually fine with not a lot happening in a story but this didn't work for me when I read it. On saying this, discussing Billy's adventures would be exciting for children and perhaps the simple and rather dull aspect of life on the Scilly Isles at the turn of the 20th century was a true reflection. I liked the idea that the story closes with Michael, just as it opened with him. Morpurgo does this A LOT - a story within a story.
I thought the opening was lovely and the chapters are brief with the first person narrative flitting between Michael and Laura. Elements of the story reminded me of [b:Why the Whales Came|1289436|Why the Whales Came|Michael Morpurgo|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348993019s/1289436.jpg|1278524] which I thought to be far better.
Written as a diary entry - I like the idea of doing up the classroom like a set from the book and using maps to find out where the Scilly Isles are and what they look like.
Puzzle:
The child in the story has a bond with a turtle around half-way through the book and I couldn't help wondering whether this was the beginning of Morpurgo's slight obsession of child-animal partnerships.
I thought the opening was lovely and the chapters are brief with the first person narrative flitting between Michael and Laura. Elements of the story reminded me of [b:Why the Whales Came|1289436|Why the Whales Came|Michael Morpurgo|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348993019s/1289436.jpg|1278524] which I thought to be far better.
Written as a diary entry - I like the idea of doing up the classroom like a set from the book and using maps to find out where the Scilly Isles are and what they look like.
Puzzle:
The child in the story has a bond with a turtle around half-way through the book and I couldn't help wondering whether this was the beginning of Morpurgo's slight obsession of child-animal partnerships.
tia_gordon4's review
4.0
I finished this book in one day and I really enjoyed it. I went into it blind and it was a very emotional as well as deep read however I really liked it.
It is short and just a quick read. I am not really into historical fiction and didn’t even realise it was till the end so it was just great.
It is short and just a quick read. I am not really into historical fiction and didn’t even realise it was till the end so it was just great.
alanawheat's review against another edition
5.0
I loved The Wreck of the Zanzibar for is told through the journal entries and watercolor illustrations of 14-year-old Laura Perryman in 1907 and 1908.I think it is a really effective way of telling a story.
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stephen_on_a_jet_plane's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really sweet short story for all ages about family and the bonds between generations. It’s set in a small, coastal village across several decades and it’ll have you smiling.