- Michael Morpurgo

Times of War Collection

By Michael Morpurgo
Buy Now

A stunning paperback collection of classic Morpurgo novels set in World War I, World War II and the Afghanistan conflict.

Told in the voice of a young soldier, Private Peaceful follows twenty-four hours in his life at the front during WW I, capturing his memories as he looks back over his life. It’s both a love story and a deeply moving account of the horrors of the First World War.

In An Elephant in the Garden, Elizabeth’s father is fighting on the eastern front in WW II and her mother is working at Dresden zoo when the bombs start to fall. Their home destroyed, Elizabeth’s family must flee through the wintery landscape, avoiding the Russian troops who are drawing ever closer. It would be hard enough, without an elephant in tow…

Shadow is the story of Aman, a boy from Afghanistan fleeing the horror of war. A western dog shows up outside the caves where Aman lives with his mother. When they finally decide to make a bid for freedom, Shadow will not leave their side. The destinies of boy and dog are linked, always.

Author: Michael Morpurgo
Format: Other Format
Ageband: from 9
Release Date: 27 Sep 2012
Pages: 720
ISBN: 978-0-00-748795-0
Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL is a writer, playwright, performer and librettist. The author of more than 150 children’s books, he has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and in almost 40 languages. A former teacher and vocal spokesperson for the benefits of reading for pleasure, he is currently the President of Book Trust. Between 2003–2005 he was Children’s Laureate and in 2018 he was knighted for services to literature and charity. Many of Michael’s books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the phenomenal National Theatre adaptation of War Horse, which has been seen by over 10 million people in over 100 cities around the world, broke the West End record for weekly ticket sales, and won 5 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards. Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

Praise for Private Peaceful:“His [Tommo’s] journey from agricultural labourer to cannon fodder is movingly told…Michael Morpurgo is expert at getting through to his readers. He writes here about events that should never be forgotten nor forgiven, and does so most effectively.”Independent -

“…full of warmth as well as grief, conveying vividly how precious it is to be alive…”Sunday Times -

“The best novel he’s written since The Butterfly Lion.”Times -

“Deserved to last as an insight into the First World War in the same way as, say, The Silver Sword or Goodnight Mr Tom.”Telegraph -

“A poignant, elegiac novel.”Daily Mail -

Praise for Shadow:“As ever, Morpurgo's warmth and humanity suffuse a story of courage, love and hope.” Amanda Craig in the Times -

“Passionate and touching” Julia Eccleshare -

Related Articles

Edinburgh Fringe – An Elephant in the Garden

About the show: Lizzie, her mother and an elephant from the zoo flee the Dresden firebombing in the Second World War. Escaping the Allies from the West – and the Russians from the East – this extraordinary trio of refugees meet: an RAF officer who has bailed out of his… Read More

Edinburgh Fringe – Private Peaceful

About the show: ‘Private Peaceful at the theatre is a moving experience that not only tells the story of a young soldier’s final day in World War One, but perhaps more importantly conveys the strength of human spirit’ (Michael Morpurgo). ‘The horrors of war and the joyfulness of life are… Read More

Michael at the memorial of Thomas Samuel Henry Peacefull

Michael Morpurgo’s novel Private Peaceful was partly inspired by the memorial of a young soldier that he saw in the Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres, Flanders.  A few years after the book first published, Maxine Keeble  was researching her family tree and thought that there might be a connection. She… Read More

An Elephant in the Garden at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer

A new adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s ‘An Elephant in the Garden’ is being shown at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer. 1945. Dresden, Germany. Lizzie, her mother – and an elephant from the zoo, flee the Allied fire-bombing in the end-game of the Second World War. Escaping the Allies’ advance from… Read More

Michael Morpurgo’s Unsung Heroes Book Tour Announced!

From 6th November, we will be sharing the reviews of three parent bloggers who have been reading some of Michael’s most moving stories set in war time: An Eagle in the Snow, A Medal for Leroy and Private Peaceful. All of the books were inspired by real life stories, events… Read More