Lauren Young, girl, age 9yrs, from Ngau Liu Village, Hong Kong, on 7th July 2007. Rating: 10/10
I think that this is a very good book because Micheal Morpurgo gives the reader 'SHOW NOT TELL SENTENCES'and gives so powerful information that you can actually see a movie in your head and you don't need to put pictures on it and that is why I like this book!!!! Lauren Young xxoo
kate, girl, age 10, from sheffield, United Kingdom, on 28th June 2007. Rating: 9/10
a fab way to start a book if you dont know what to read i would recommand this book to you!!!!! a bundle of pages undecovered!!! i think this is a lovley book about 2 young children gracie and daniel a sad tale about the bird man and the war.
calcium, boy, age 12, from chelmsford, essex, United Kingdom, on 24th June 2007. Rating: 9/10
I liked the book asit filled you wth all kinds of emotion, especilly after gracies dad had 'died'. It made you feel as if you were gracie, and that the reason for this mourning was you going onto that cursed island.
amy-louise, girl, age 14, from chipping norton, United Kingdom, on 6th June 2006. Rating: 10/10
i thought this book was magnificent i loved it. i first read it when i was in year 6 at primary school and at the monent it is my favourite book of all times.i think every child should read it and you should but a copy asap. amy-louise XXXXxxxxXXXX
Oliver Downey, boy, age 13, from Liverpool, United Kingdom, on 6th March 2006. Rating: 8/10
I think that the book was excellent! I reallt enjoyed it! It was a very moving story and I think that every child on this earth would fall in love with it just as I did! Oliver
alisha, girl, age 14, from manchester, United Kingdom, on 25th November 2005. Rating: 4/10
I think this book was very intresting. It described evrything very clearly and i felt as if i was really there. Although it has all the potential, i dont think a teenager would really go for it, but still thumbs up to michael morpurgo he did a really good job with it.
Jack, boy, age 16, from Beijing, China, on 20th November 2005. Rating: 1/10
This book was stupid, dull and babyish!!!
Connie, girl, age 8, from Beijing, China, on 20th November 2005. Rating: 9/10
This book was ok, but Micheal Morpurgo wrote better books, such as : Kensuke's Kingdom, Friend or foe and Cool!
Sherice Santino, girl, age 15, from Alabama, United States, on 11th November 2005. Rating: 1/10
I hated this book and thought it was dull, boring and terribly writen.
Ari, boy, age 12, from Antarctica, on 8th November 2005. Rating: 10/10
I really enjoy reading this book. It very is good and interesting. Many people think that it is good also, I have red the website. I really liked the character of Gracie, as she was very nice and kind also i think. Bird man was a bit strange though as well as old. I probably think i will read this book again.
Siobhan , girl, age 12, from Preston, United Kingdom, on 7th November 2005. Rating: 8/10
i sort of liked this book. it wasn't as good as Michael Morpurgos other books, but it was alright. i think that the birdman was a bit of a weird character. my fav character was daniel, cos he was always in trouble and he sounded like a bit of a cheeky lad in this book!
Julie, girl, age 12, from Staffordshire, United Kingdom, on 6th November 2005. Rating: 9/10
This book was very interesting. I felt like the book was leading up to a very dramatic ending to the curse of Samson, but then I was very shocked by the ending not being any more exciting than the rest of the book. I feel that this book is the type of tale that you only read once. In the first half of the book, it was all very thrilling as new things were happening, you got new ideas as to how things would turn out, then it turned out totally different. However after the children were stranded on Samson it all got very babyish, ... I think that the author could have explained the ending better, ... The ending does not lend itself very easily to the possibility of a second book, and does not tell us if people were still scared of Samson or not. ... On the positive side the author ‘grew’ the characters very effectively, by this I felt like I was part of every scene and got to know the characters very well. He writes in such away that leaves you hanging on his every word and you are always ready for the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it! xx
frances clifton, girl, age 12, from nelson, New Zealand, on 2nd November 2005. Rating: 10/10
i think this book is great i find really great to read. i like books like these, we are reading this book at school and we have to write lots o info about it so i now no alot about it!!!! i have really enjoyed this book and i have read lots of other micheal morpurgo books like private peaceful and heaps more! me and my class mates really like this book and have learn't lots about it. thanks.
simran sandhu , girl, age 11, from wolverhampton, United Kingdom, on 27th October 2005. Rating: 10/10
I think this book is amazing i have read to chapter nine where Big Tim is being a real bully and getting his fiends to back him up.I am reading this book at Springdale Junior School with my english teacher.Mrs Webb i love how she reads it with charter and expresion.we have been working on when the whales came and also seen some of the film.I love Micheal Morpurgo books i have also read THE BUTTERFLY LOIN as well in year five. I think when he whales came is a good book i want to read on and see what is going to happen next.
Molly May Elnaugh, girl, age 10, from Devon, United Kingdom, on 5th October 2005. Rating:
I havent read all of the book yet but i still think that the first 3 chapters are really good.I like michael morpurgo's books,he is my favourite author.I have been reading his books for a long time and I have had no problem reading them.I think in this book at the end of each PAGE it leaves you wondering unlike other books were they only leave you wondering at the end of every chapter that is fine for me but i prefer reading michael morurgos books.When they keept on changeing places to sale their boat i didnt think they would ever find a place untill they found RUSHY BAY...........As i said it is a really good book so if you read this and you havent read this book befor go down to the book store and buy it because soon you too will find out how good it is!
JESSICA CHARLLOTE LEE, girl, age 9, from Manchester, Stockport., United Kingdom, on 3rd October 2005. Rating:
I haven't read it all yet, But I am enjoying this book so far. My teacher told my class (y4) about Michel Morpergo and he has a tape named THE BUTTERFLY LION and i am enjoying this book it is so cool! I am from WARREN WOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL in Offerton. My class is reading a load of books and this is the most famous. For a star rating it would be 8/10 stars. ...
[Anonymous], girl, age 11, from Athens, Greece, on 21st September 2005. Rating: 8/10
its a good book but the war part is sad.I like it when her dad comes back.its a interesting read for everyone.
[Anonymous], girl, age 10, from London, United Kingdom, on 12th September 2005. Rating: 10/10
I loved this book! One Sunday, I was ill, and had to stay in bed. I picked up this book and started to read it. I couldn't stop reading it until I had finished it! It's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! If you are 7-107, you'll love it!
John Smith, boy, age 13, from Glasgow, United Kingdom, on 31st August 2005. Rating:
It was really bad. I disliked it from the beginning. The writer has a good style of writing but his lexical choice was poor! not one of his best books!!!
Robert Elliott, boy, age 11, from whithaven, United Kingdom, on 24th July 2005. Rating: 10/10
I was doing a projekt on it and I releye injod reading that book. I think it was the best book I have ever read.
Sarah N., girl, age 11, from Norwich, United Kingdom, on 13th July 2005. Rating:
The story started with sea noises (seagulls, waves ect.) it then continued with Daniel and Gracie talking about model boats, they were sailing one when it got washed away, Daniel decided to go to The Birdman? s beach, they played there intil they saw the birdman, they ran away from him and the beach an went to their homes. After that gracie asked about The Birdman to her parents, her father told her a story about a boy called Charlie Weather? he said about when they were Gracies age, how they use to go on The Birdmans beach, and said The Birdman cursed him, later that night there was a fire at charlies house, no one was hurt, but Charlie and his family had to move, since this caused them money problems. The next day Gracie and Charlie go down to the beach again, they find a message of shells they keep replying intill they find the birdman one day on the beach, they werent afraid of him because of the messages. They went home anyway without saying anything to the birdman. again excelent book!
Sarah, girl, age 11, from Norwich, United Kingdom, on 13th July 2005. Rating: 10/10
I think this book is excellent! At school we have also listened to it on tape, its for readers of any age, I like how the birdman changed throughout the story(I won't say to much!), but quite sad at the end but happy if yo know what i mean! Very good book, recomended to all.
kate, girl, age 10, from Midlands, United Kingdom, on 28th June 2005. Rating:
I really liked this book I could not put it down. I think its the best book I've ever read, Although I could not get into it at first.It also captivated me so much im going to read it again.
Martha Tanner, girl, age 10, from Hastings, United Kingdom, on 25th June 2005. Rating: 10/10
I loved the book because I liked the Birdman being described as mad man but then he turns out to be a really nice and lonley man.Plus I liked it at the end when they managed to save the whales and lift the curse of samson and Gracies farther returned home. I think michael morpurgo is a brilliant book writter and that he should never give up writting books.
loz, girl, age 11, from United Kingdom, on 23rd June 2005. Rating: 1/10
i think it was quite borig. it didnt have anything to do with whales exept for the end bit. even my class thought this. it didnt have a very good storey line either. i only liked the chapers with big tim in. i liked the birdman. thats my opinion. you read it and see if you like it!
Sarah, girl, age 12, from west midlands, United Kingdom, on 23rd June 2005. Rating: 10/10
I really enjoyed this book espesialy the middle onwards we have read this book at school and all children enjoyed it a fun experiance for daniel and gracie i would recomend this book to anyone.I find it hard to explain with all adventures and tragic advents.
Tallulah, girl, age 14, from Kent, United Kingdom, on 17th June 2005. Rating: 1/10
I think I fell asleep half way through the book!!!! The title hardly had anything to do with the book and I thought that all of Michael Morpurgos other books were interesting. When the dad died it made me cry but then in the end he wasnt dead!! I thought this was a rubbish storyline!!
Helen, girl, age 11, from Wigan, United Kingdom, on 7th June 2005. Rating: 9/10
I thought that this book was very interesting and that the way that michael morpurgo wrote it was great.if you are thinking of reading any other books by him i definitely recommend kensuke's kingdom.xxxxxxxx
merri, girl, age 12, from coramandle, New Zealand, on 1st June 2005. Rating: 9/10
I really enjoyed this book I thought it was the most intresting thing I have read so far ...pritty cool !!!!! I really hope you even just try read the book and just give it a go even if your not such a keen reader ... (like me )
Brian, boy, age 42, from United Kingdom, on 21st May 2005. Rating: 7/10
It is an enjoyable story which I thought would be dull. What many people may not realise is that the story is based on a local story in the Scilly islands and there really is a Samson Island and a Rushy Bay!
katie, girl, age 14, from Surrey, United Kingdom, on 21st May 2005. Rating: 9/10
I really enjoyed this book-i read it a while ago but recently heard it on the radio- it reminded me what a mysterious and exciting book it was. I think its Michael Morpurgo's best book yet.
stephanie, girl, age 12, from london, United Kingdom, on 19th May 2005. Rating: 1/10
it was really boring we had to read it in our class,we did not want to read it all,every one in my group thought the same one person hid anotherbook behind it! dont read it unless your mega mad1
Robyn , girl, age 12, from Preston, United Kingdom, on 5th May 2005. Rating: 10/10
we have been doing a project on this book at school and i thought it was great, i think the way all the suroundings and charecters and events ar aboulutley great.the people in the reats of my class think anyone who dont like it must be out of there minds..
Catherine, girl, age 13, from London, United Kingdom, on 25th April 2005. Rating: 3/10
I hated it. I would have rather read a book based on the movie, Whale Rider. It was soo old fashioned and completely boring. The Babbysitters Club is better than this. It has no emotions and takes an age to get into Why the Whales even Came. They don't give the full story and answer all the questions. WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!!!
Gracie, girl, age 15, from Winchester, United Kingdom, on 25th April 2005. Rating: 10/10
Brilliant! Excellent! I don't know how else to describe it. To be honest I didn't think I'd like it but I thought it was FANTASTIC. All the people who didn't like it don't know what they are talking about!
Scarlet, girl, age 12, from LOndon, United Kingdom, on 25th April 2005. Rating: 8/10
In this essay I am going to study how the character of The Birdman changes throughout Why the Whales Came and how he is presented. In the first few chapters of the book The Birdman is portrayed as a mysterious flitting creature of the dark. The children of Bryher are told to keep away from him and the adults do not talk to him. They ignore him if they see him and it is said that The Birdman was mad. He is judged by the way he looks, he had a stooped, black figure and he wore a black cape and a pointed souwester. Some of the people are so scared and resentful of him they say he was the devil himself. All the children of Bryher believe the stories as the myths have grown. However, Daniel and Gracie do not listen to these stories and go to Rushy Bay, next to The Birdmans cottage. After a few visits to the beach they eventually meet him. When they first meet him Gracie is terrified, she still believes all the stories but, Daniel is not so scared and starts talking to The Birdman. Then they find out he is deaf and realise that is why the words he spoke were unformed and unfinished and why he talked loudly to himself in a strange, unearthly monotone. They get to know The Birdman well and realise he is not the strange man they thought he was. However, there are some things he wont talk about such as, the war and Samson. This leads you to believe he has some secrets of his own but, they do not ask about them. As the story progresses Gracie and Daniel go to see The Birdman or Zachariah Woodcock as often as they can nevertheless, Gracies father goes away to fight in the war which means Gracie has to help around the house more and go and see The Birdman less. However, The Birdman takes on the role of Gracies father just till he gets back. This shows he is kind and the people of Bryher misjudged him. He leaves anonymous gifts of potatoes, bread and honey which Gracies mother refers to as manna from heaven. He stays supportive of Gracie and her mother but still anonymously which shows he doesnt want to get noticed and praised. He carries on like this until Gracies father is reported missing in action. This is when The Birdman Comes and tells Gracies mother who the gifts where from. Gracies mother appreciates this but I think she is still slightly scared of him despite his kindness. Towards the end of the book The Birdman is still loved by Gracie and Daniel however the other villagers are still deceitful of him especially Daniels older brother, Big Tim, and his gang. They think The Birdman is a Hun-lover and they plan to wreck his cottage. Daniel and Gracie rush down to the beach to tell The Birdman only to find The Birdman trying to push a whale back into the sea. He says if any other whales wash up the curse of Samson will come to Bryher. This shows he cares for Bryher and the people living on it even though they despise him. Even when the whole island turn against him he still tries to save them. Then Gracies mother realises he is not a bad man and he hasnt done anything wrong to the island or its people. The Birdman shows he is a thoughtful, clever man by sending the whales away. He even goes into the sea and risks his own life for the island. When all the whales have gone he insists on staying on the beach and the next day he is gone. This makes you think it was his life goal to save Bryher from the curse and that he knew that was the end.
Sparx, girl, age 13, from London, United Kingdom, on 25th April 2005. Rating: 5/10
I thought this was ok. It wasn't the best book I have ever read especially by Michael Morpurgo. Some bits of it were ok but the rest were just BoRiNg.
Ray, girl, age 12, from London, United Kingdom, on 22nd April 2005. Rating: 9/10
I thought this was brilliant and the ending was so unexpected. I would recommend this to anyone! We studied in class and I thought it was the best book I have ever read.
Lauren, girl, age 11, from United Kingdom, on 15th April 2005. Rating: 9/10
This was a really good book but it doesn't answer all the questions as in why did the whales come or where the birdman went but other wise its amazind i definatly recomend it
jasmine girl, girl, age 9, from SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, on 24th March 2005. Rating: 1/10
it is the most rubbish book i have ever read and is so boring it was RUBBISH dont ever read it in your whole life!!!
Chorrine, girl, age 10, from Penzance, United Kingdom, on 16th March 2005. Rating: 10/10
I am amazed! What a exellent book! Michael is a very talented writer and i think he deserves a medal for such an outstanding book!How anybody could come up with such an idea for a book is beyond me!! TIP: BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVE ANY TASTE!
AiMeE, girl, age 12, from winchester, United Kingdom, on 14th March 2005. Rating: 4/10
Well i think that it is a interesting book in parts.We read it as a class and some enjoyed it but most thought it was really boring.I think that the title isn't very good as most of it isnt to do with the title...good luck mike!!
emily and megan, girl, age 10, from england, United Kingdom, on 8th March 2005. Rating: 1/10
i think it is boring and it has no theme it is a bit old fashioned for us and it is really weared. the best books he has written are cool and kensukes kingdom. he is a good writer but he has to pick the right theme and express his felings in the right way. good luck to him in the future.
Garfeild, girl, age 14, from Scotland, United Kingdom, on 11th February 2005. Rating: 8/10
I thought the book was alright. It had some very good description and has quite an interesting story. I liked it because however much our teachers tried to dumb it down and make us do endless amounts of work on it, it was still a really fresh story and I never got bored of reading it. I thought the ending was quite unlike the rest of the book, and was very origonal as well.
becky f, girl, age 11, from londan, United Kingdom, on 31st January 2005. Rating: 5/10
WELL BASICLY THE BOOK IS BORING ALL THE WAY UP TO CHAPTER 9 I WAS DISSAPIONTED BECAUSE ALL HIS OTHER BOOKS ARE RESALLY QUITE GOOD I WOULD RECOMEND IT TO INTERLECTUALS AND OLDER PEOPLE SSAY IN THERE 50'S TO -8O'S I THINK GRACIE JENKINS IS A VERY BRAVE LITTLE GIRL AND REALLY BIG TIM SPIOLS IT ITS CALLD WHJY THE WHALES CAME SO IT SHOULD BE MORE ABOUT THE WHALES OT AOUT GERMANS BIG TIM JUST GET TO THE PIONT IS THE PROBLEM I MEAN MICHEAL MORPURGO HAS JUST RITE ALOAD OF OLD NONSENCE TRYING TO HARD TO USE EXPRESSIVE LANGUGE AND TO DISCRIBE THINGS.ALTHOUGH IN SOME AREAS THE USE OF EXPRESSIIATIVE WORDS ARE CHOOSEN.IT IS GOOD WHEN THEY GET STRANDED ON SAMSOM
Eleanor Whittaker, girl, age 10, from blackpool, United Kingdom, on 27th January 2005. Rating: 9/10
I liked some parts of the book but some others were boring.I have read cool by Michael Morpurgo and it was better than this one .I would reccommend it to anyone who likes some mystery.
jessica, girl, age 11, from middlesbrough, United Kingdom, on 20th January 2005. Rating: 9/10
i thought the book was intresting and was a page-turner, even though the book took a bit of getting into i still thought it was good. the best bit was when they find messages in pebbles on the sand. i would reccomend it
imran , boy, age 12, from manchester, United Kingdom, on 3rd January 2005. Rating: 9/10
I reckon the story was very intresting and exciting.The Birdman was an amazing charactar
rebecca, age 9, from wolvhamton, United Kingdom, on 15th December 2004. Rating: 10/10
i am reading it at school we have read it it is a good book i reelly like it
Poppy, girl, age 12, from chichester, United Kingdom, on 12th November 2004. Rating: 10/10
this book is excellent and very interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mango!, girl, age 14, from um. can i skip this one out?, United Kingdom, on 5th November 2004. Rating: 10/10
I absolutely adored this book. I first read it when I was 12, and it entranced me completely. Michael Morpurgo has this effortlessly poetic sturcture with his words, with his stories. They're so simple to follow but not insanely simple, if you know what I mean. His characters - I fell in love with them. Daniel, Gracie, Birdman. At the very last page, when I read it; it was so amazing that when I put it down my heart remained forever in it. I still love re-reading it. I have read one of his other books, 'Private Peaceful' and found that beautiful, too. Yay - he's the Children's Laureate now, I am just so happy. He is right up there as one of my favourite authors of all time.
nikki stride, girl, age 12, from southampton, United Kingdom, on 22nd October 2004. Rating: 10/10
this book was really interesting and i got into it well i am watchin the vidio at the mom but it is not as good as the book! it is defanetley 10/10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arlene, girl, age 12, from glasgow, United Kingdom, on 6th October 2004. Rating: 10/10
i think it is very good the adventures daniel and gracie get up to is so magnificent and i love it and the excitement just keeps on going and going and i will carry on reading the book and hope to see the film.
libby, girl, age 12, from United Kingdom, on 4th October 2004. Rating: 9/10
I loved this book because it was gentle, easy going and mysterious
Browner 2392, girl, age 13, from wiltshire, United Kingdom, on 18th September 2004. Rating: 9/10
It was a very good book I loved it! We read it in school for a novel and I thought it was a great book to get into. It was just like all the other Micheal Morporgo books Brillant!!!!!!!!
C, girl, age 24, from Warwickshire, United Kingdom, on 27th August 2004. Rating: 10/10
I have loved this book since it was published and have read it many many times. I believe the exist of the Birdman is actually a crucial part of the novel, and very necessary, as it shows the strength of his conviction that another island must be saved. He clearly felt he had made his peace with conscience, and perhaps with his ghosts, and could finally be at rest. Having Gracie's father return after the sadness of the Birdman's exist allows the reader to feel a circle has been completed, and an island reunited with an improved sense of what is important in life, which is trust, loyalty and love - vital in a small community such as Bryher.
heather & bekki, girl, age 11, from bedfordshire, United Kingdom, on 28th June 2004. Rating: 7/10
we liked it but it was a bit on the weird side .
Emma, girl, age 24, from Dorset, United Kingdom, on 22nd June 2004. Rating: 8/10
I think this story is truly magnificent. I am a teaching assistant in a special school. We have just finished reading this book with our class. Due to the nature of the pupil's disorders, such as ADHD, ADD Aperger's Syndrome and so on, it is very difficult to grasp their attention for longer than two minutes at a time. However, our class sat in silence, listening intently, desperate to catch every word of this book. They also understood it well, as the story is so well told and every detail is vividly described by the author. I do think that the Birdman had a rather low key, and not entirely necessary exit from the book, surely it would have been better if he had finally been reintegrated with his fellow islanders on Bryher. However, I suppose the mysterious disappearance of Zack Woodcock fits in well with his mysterious life as "the man who cursed Samson", as he was known to everyone on Bryher. I think I loved this book as much as the children and will definitely be getting myself a copy to read to the key stage 2 pupils once I have my qualified teacher status.
