Not Bad for a Bad Lad
Publisher: Templar
Morpurgo and Foreman are a winning combination, and their latest collaboration brings their talents together to tell the story of a boy whose wild behaviour led him into borstal (Youth Custody) before he discovered his true talent.
Based on Hollesley Bay, near Foreman's boyhood home, Morpurgo places his tale as a narrative from a grandfather explaining to his grandson how his difficult post-war childhood had led him into petty crime and ultimately to borstal.
Put to work with the Suffolk Punches on the prison farm, on release the boy eventually tracks down a difficult horse he tamed, and joins the army to unite his love of music and horses.
A reassuring story, subtly, empathetically and evocatively illustrated.
