Michael Morpurgo

Set in 1943 England, this novel tells the story of a 12-year-old girl assisted by two American soldiers in her search for her adored cat, Adolphus Tips, who has disappeared behind the Allies' restricted practice areas to give birth.

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

Sarah Sammis

The Amazing Story Of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo is about a girl, her cat, D day training and a friendship with an American soldier. It's framed with a letter received by a boy named Michael from his beloved grandmother as she heads out on her first adventure in a long time. She includes her diary of the time her village was forced to relocate for D-Day training as an explanation for her current actions.

Most of the story then is Lily's flashback. Her father is a pilot in the war and now she and her family are being forced to pack up their belongings. The entire town is to be evacuated so it can be used for D-Day training by American troops using live ammunition.

Tips, the family cat, doesn't keep with the plan and runs off after they've evacuated. It's Lily's attempts to rescue her cat that give her the chance to meet the Americans. One of them, a young soldier named Adie becomes her good friend.

How all these different events in Lily's childhood play out and how they relate to her present day actions is explained by the end of the book. It was a fascinating and sometimes heart stopping read. The ending took me by surprise (as well it should).

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

Reviews