Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo is a coming-of-age novel (grades 7 and older) that sets readers up for the dreary and devastating life of a young boy, Tommy Peaceful, whose father dies unexpectedly at work as a forester. Tommy and his brother Charlie are inseparable, and their other brother Big Joe has special needs and is often protected by the family whether it is in the school yard or at home from their Great Aunt. Tommo tells the story in a series of flashbacks about his father's death, his regret about how it happened, his friendship and kinship with his brother Charlie and their schoolmate Molly, and The Great War that invades their lives. Readers will not immediately grow close to Tommo in the beginning, but as he opens up about his past and present situation overseas, it is revealed that things have changed far more and far too quickly for him. He's fallen in love, rushed to become an adult, and headed off on an adventure that was far less exciting and far more harrowing than he expected. Each chapter begins with a little snippet of his present situation before Tommo relives his past happinesses, until the two moments meet in time.
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo is a coming-of-age novel (grades 7 and older) that sets readers up for the dreary and devastating life of a young boy, Tommy Peaceful, whose father dies unexpectedly at work as a forester. Tommy and his brother Charlie are inseparable, and their other brother Big Joe has special needs and is often protected by the family whether it is in the school yard or at home from their Great Aunt. Tommo tells the story in a series of flashbacks about his father's death, his regret about how it happened, his friendship and kinship with his brother Charlie and their schoolmate Molly, and The Great War that invades their lives. Readers will not immediately grow close to Tommo in the beginning, but as he opens up about his past and present situation overseas, it is revealed that things have changed far more and far too quickly for him. He's fallen in love, rushed to become an adult, and headed off on an adventure that was far less exciting and far more harrowing than he expected. Each chapter begins with a little snippet of his present situation before Tommo relives his past happinesses, until the two moments meet in time.