Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips (The)
by Michael Morpurgo
Published by Scholastic Press
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Reviewed by Laura V. Hilton
In 1943, twelve-year-old Lily Tregenza lives on a farm in a seaside village in England. Her father is away fighting in WWII and kids from town are attending her school, but otherwise her life is untouched by the war. One day the villagers are told they have to move completely out of their homes so the area can be used for military training.
Long before Lily is ready, the area is out of bounds as Allied forces practice their landings for D-day, preparing to invade France. But Tips, Lily's adored cat has disappeared. And nothing--barbed-wire fences, nor the danger of guns or bombs, are going to deter Lily. Frantic to find Tips, Lily makes friends with two American soldiers who offer to help...but will Lily ever see her beloved cat again?
Many years later after WWI ended, Michael is reading his grandmother Lily's diary and he learns about the war and about Lily's cat disappearing. He wonders how one cat could still affect their lives sixty years later.
Even though The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips is written for children ages 7-10, I thoroughly enjoyed it and had a hard time keeping my teenagers away from the book long enough for me to finish it. The story is set during WWII and is so realistic I wonder if it might be based on a true story. I couldn't help but relate with Lily as she is desperate to find her beloved pet and as she tries to adjust to the forced changes that the war is making on her family.
I highly recommend The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, and my only complaint is that it's too short. I would have liked to have read more. Michael Morpurgo is a talented author, able to bring the setting and the characters to life.
Armchair Interviews says: Parents won't go wrong if they pick up this book for their tweeners. It is chocked full of history and fun to read at the same time.