Second Time Around

The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo is a wonderful children’s historical novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is suitable for ages ten years and over.

The novel begins in present day and travels back to 1943 in the form of diary entries by a grandmother when she was a young girl.

The action is set at Slapton Sands in South Devon. A World War II historian will immediately recognize this as the location for training for D-Day. For me, I also recognized the location as I holidayed there as a teen so the area is familiar to me.

We hear about daily life on a farm and about the love Lily has for her cat, Tips. The forced evacuation of the area causes much disruption and heartache, even though it was necessary. Cats are rumored to have nine lives – they bounce back – or do they?

The evacuees from London and a head teacher who fled occupied Europe because she is Jewish are all resented at first. But when Lily gets to know them all, she realizes they are just like her.

At first the community resents the Americans but realizes their help is needed to defeat the Nazis. Lily befriends two young African Americans. They are welcomed into her home and made to feel like family. This is beautifully told, as in America, there is still racial prejudice and segregation. Here, it is the content of their character and not the colour of their skin that is important.

War brings losses. Losses hurt, even years later.

This was a powerful story and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Michael Morpurgo is a marvellous author.

JULIA WILSON