Toro! Toro!

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Sir Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman

Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 8+

Published by HarperCollins, 2002

Around the world
Coming-of-age
Historical

About this book

Antonio tells his grandson how, as a small boy in 1936, he saved the life of his favourite bull, which was destined for the bullring, by taking him out into the hills. By doing so, he also saves his own life when Nazi planes strafe his village, killing all his family.

As he flees to shelter, he gives a graphic account of the hardships of the Spanish Civil War. Readers will empathise with Antonio, while acquiring an understanding of an important European conflict, which has rarely been made the subject of children's literature.

About the author

Sir Michael Morpurgo is one of Britain's best-loved writers for children. He has written over 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, Blue Peter Book Award and the Whitbread Award. His recent bestselling novels include Listen to the Moon, A Medal for Leroy and Shadow. His novel War Horse has been successfully adapted as a West End and Broadway theatre play and a major film by Steven Spielberg. A former Children's Laureate (2003–2005), Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

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