Kensuke's Kingdom

Morpurgo, Michael. Kensuke's Kingdom. Scholastic, 1999. ISBN-10: 0-439-38202-5

Plot Summary
When Michael's parents lose their jobs, they take their severance pay and buy a sailboat to sail around the world. Then one night, Michael and his dog Stella are alone on deck and the pair fall overboard. Miracurously, the two survive and wake up on the beach of an almost deserted island. Almost, because the island is inhabited by a Japanese man named Kensuke, who was shipwrecked during WWII. Together Kensuke and Michael build a hesitant friendship and a routine on the island. They fish, furnish their cave-home and spend afternoons painting. While their life is relatively pleasant, Michael wants to return to his family, but Kensuke, who heard that his hometown of Nagasaki was bombed during the war, has no wish to leave and fears discovery.

Critical evaluation
At first, the story seems to be common shipwreck tale, but the presence of Kensuke makes the story more complex. In fact, even though the story is about Michael, Kensuke steals the reader's imagination. His understanding of the outside world is based on rumors and his fear that the world has changed keeps him trapped on the island. Kensuke is afraid that he doesn't understand the world, but Michael finds the unknown to be an inviting challenge. Michael's optimism is inspiring to anyone who is facing uncertaintly, while Kensuke's fear is a warning. The inclusion of a letter from Kensuke's son, who survived the bombing, is further evidence that the unknown is not necessarily to be feared.

Readers Annotations
Cast ashore with nothing but his dog, Michael would probably starve except that a dish of clean water and a plate of fish appear outside his cave every morning. It seems that Michael is not alone on his island.

Information About the Author
Michael Morpurgo is the author of more than sixty books for children. He and his wife live in England.

Genre
Realistic fiction
Adventure

Curriculum Ties
WWII

Booktalking Ideas
The conflict between Michael, who wants to be rescued, and Kensuke, who doesn't.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 5-7

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas
none

Why Book Included
Appeared on a list of recommended books for grades 5-6 compiled by Sacramento Public Library