Listen to the Moon by Michael Morpurgo

As usual with this master storyteller, Morpurgo manages to look at a story – this time the First World War - from an unusual viewpoint.

A girl is found on an uninhabited Scilly Island by a fisherman and his son. Alerted by cries while fishing, Alfie and his Dad discover a young girl - injured, half staved and ill, who does not speak.

The family take her in and care for the girl they come to call Lucy because of her broken attempt to tell them something in the beginning. At first the islanders feel sorry for the rescued girl, but it soon comes to light that a label in the blanket gripped by Lucy was German. The anti-German feeling then was rife and the treatment of Lucy by suspicious islanders is shocking.

Lucy makes a slow recovery, is forced to attend school in spite of the blatant prejudice of children and a vicious teacher, but is protected by her new 'brother' looking out for her.

Lucy has flashbacks from the start, to which the reader is party, although not Alfie, indicating all is not as it appears. Lucy's story is incredibly sad and upsetting.

The book gives some background to wartime life. There are other victims of war whose stories are explored - the young soldier who returned minus a leg and with brain damage, and Alfie's uncle Billy, rescued by his mum from an horrific mental asylum. The novel offers plenty to discuss with a child or a class.

And finally, Lucy's history is revealed.

The story is tragic throughout yet still beautifully uplifting.

The fisherman's family remain good and true despite their former friends and neighbours turning against them but in the end they are shown to be the admirable characters, offering care to a vulnerable child without a care as to which side she was on. As ever with Morpurgo, the writing is captivating and, for me, one of his best.

Review by Dawn Woods.

This book can be borrowed from The Hive as well as other Worcestershire libraries. Click here to check availability and check it out.