War Horse by Michael Morpugo
It’s around the turn of the 20th century, Ted Narracott is wandering around an auction looking at different livestock on sale. Supposed to be buying a calf, Ted decides on a whim, to buy a young horse for 39 guineas. After returning home, Ted’s son Albert bestows the name Joey to the young colt. Albert spends years of his youth caring for Joey, he feeds him, trains him, loves him and protects him from his father when he gets drunk.
Years later, the First World War has begun. A division of the army is in the Narracott’s village recruiting soldiers for the war. Desperate for money, Ted sells Joey to the army without consulting Albert. After Albert has realised, it’s too late… Joey has been sold. Not wanting to be separated from Joey, Albert tries to join the army, but is refused because he is too young.
Joey, taken away by the army, is trained by Corporal Perkins. Captain James Nicholls is the first person to ride Joey into war. The Captain and Joey lead a unit of mounted infantry against the central powers. Meanwhile, after whiling away the years until he can enlist in the army, Albert has been deployed to Europe. Still having not forgotten Joey, he is on a mission to find his horse while simultaneously fighting enemies in the trenches of the front line.
AGE RATING: 8+
TEEN RATING: 4.9/5
TEEN OVERVIEW: World War One was a torment for millions of people for four years, but it was also a living nightmare for other species… Michael Morpugo tells the tale of The Great War and its brutallity through the eyes of a horse, yet also presents a profound and powerful tale of love between human and horse. Magical, moving and unique, War Horse will make you cry and smile. Morpugo is a genius of a writer with a very distinctive and special ability to tell stories.
