Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo MBE became the third Children's Laureate in May 2003.  He taught for ten years in both state and private schools, and has published over 95 titles since his first book was published in 1975.  These have been translated into over twenty languages, many have been adapted for the theatre and five have been made into films.  His books have won the Whitbread Children’s Award, the Smarties Book Prize, the Children's Book Award and Cercle D'Or Prix Sorciere (France), and several have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.  Now living in Devon, Michael is married with three children and six grandchildren, and he and his wife Clare run the charity Farms for City Children, work for which he was awarded the MBE in 1999.

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
HarperCollins

Exploring the nature of heroism and cowardice, of innocence and evil, Private Peaceful is set in the First World War.  Told through the voice of a young soldier, Private Thomas Peaceful, it charts the last eight hours of a young life, blending the innocence of a rural childhood with the horror of a World War 1 battlefield. 
Michael Morpurgo MBE became the third Children's Laureate in May 2003.  He taught for ten years in both state and private schools, and has published over 95 titles since his first book was published in 1975.  These have been translated into over twenty languages, many have been adapted for the theatre and five have been made into films.  His books have won the Whitbread Children’s Award, the Smarties Book Prize, the Children's Book Award and Cercle D'Or Prix Sorciere (France), and several have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.