Books with title Why the Whales Came

An exciting historical adventure from War Horse author and former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo.Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. They build up a lovely friendship with him, but when the children get stranded on Samson Island they don’t know whether to believe the birdman’s story that the island is cursed.Set against the backdrop of the First World War, in the tradition of Friend or Foe and Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo brings the emotional reality of conflict to life in a way that is accessible to younger readers. Look out for his other historical adventures including An Eagle in the Snow and Listen to the Moon.

Gracie and her friend Daniel have always been warned to stay away from the Birdman and his side of the island. But then they find a message in the sand and discover the Birdman is not who they thought. They build up a lovely friendship with him, but when the children get stranded on Samson Island they don’t know whether to believe the birdman’s story that the island is cursed. Set against the backdrop of World War I, in the tradition of Friend or Foe and Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo brings the emotional reality of conflict to life in a way that is accessible to younger readers.

'You keep away from the Birdman,' warned Gracie's father. 'Keep well clear of him, you hear me now?' But Gracie and her friend Daniel discover the Birdman isn't mad or dangerous as everyone says. Yet he does warn them to stay away from the abandoned Samson Island - he says it's cursed. And when the children are stranded on Samson by fog, Gracie returns to hear tragic news. Could the Birdman be right? The curse that struck Samson is about to strike again on Bryher, and the inhabitants seem only to be welcoming it with their greed and hatred. Together Birdman and the children stop them killing the narhwals, and turn the whales back out to sea. We know the curse is truly lifted when Gracie's father, who had been missing presumed dead after a battle, returns to the village

This modern classic is an excellent class reader for Key Stage 3 students. Gracie and Daniel have been warned to keep away from the Birdman but they discover that he isn't the mad or dangerous person he is made out to be. Yet he does warn them to stay away from the abandoned Samson Island - he says it's cursed. Suddenly the Birdman's warnings seem to be coming true. Can Gracie and Daniel find out what the Birdman knows - before it's too late? Age 10+