The Wreck of the Zanzibar facts for kids

The Wreck Of The Zanzibar is an exciting children's novel written by the famous author Michael Morpurgo. It was first published in Great Britain in 1995. This book is special because it won the Whitbread Children's Book Award in the same year it came out!

The Wreck of the Zanzibar: A Story of Courage and Hope

A Tale from the Scilly Isles

This book takes you back in time to the year 1907. It's set on a small, windy island called Bryher, which is part of the Isles of Scilly near Cornwall, England. The story is told by a brave girl named Laura Perryman. She lives with her family on the island, and life there can be tough, especially when storms hit.

Laura's family faces many challenges, but they always try to help each other. The islanders often rely on things that wash up from shipwrecks to survive. Laura has a special bond with her twin brother, Billy, and she loves her grandfather very much.

Facing the Storms

The story builds up to a huge storm. This storm brings a big ship, the Zanzibar, crashing onto the rocks near their island. This event changes everything for Laura and her family. The book shows how people on small islands lived and helped each other during difficult times. It's a story about hope, survival, and the strong spirit of a community.

Who is Michael Morpurgo?

Michael Morpurgo is a very well-known British author. He has written over 100 books for children, and many of them are historical novels. This means his stories are set in the past and often include real historical events or periods.

Morpurgo is famous for telling stories that are full of adventure, emotion, and important messages. He often writes about animals, war, and the countryside. Some of his other popular books include War Horse and Private Peaceful. He was even given the title of Children's Laureate in the UK, which means he was chosen to promote children's literature.

Awards and Recognition

The Wreck of the Zanzibar won the Whitbread Children's Book Award in 1995. The Whitbread Awards, now known as the Costa Book Awards, are very important literary awards in the United Kingdom. Winning this award showed that the book was considered one of the best children's books published that year. It helped more people discover Laura's amazing story.

Why Read This Book?

This book is a great read for anyone who loves adventure and stories about overcoming challenges. It teaches you about life on a small island over a hundred years ago. You'll learn about the power of family and community. It also shows how people can find hope even in the hardest times. Michael Morpurgo's writing makes you feel like you are right there with Laura, experiencing everything she does.