  | Medal for Leroy Author: Morpurgo, Michael | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
The moving story of a boy who discovers the truth of his family history that spans from World War I to present day.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 5.10 Points: 3.0 Quiz: 164037 | Reading Counts Information: Interest Level: 3-5 Reading Level: 5.60 Points: 8.0 Quiz: 62606 | |
Common Core Standards
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 5 → Reading → RL Literature → 5.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Key Ideas & Details
Grade 6 → Reading → RL Literature → 6.RL Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
Reviews:
School Library Journal (02/01/14)
Booklist (02/01/14)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2014 Morpurgo, author of War Horse (2007), returns with another middle-grade historical drama. Londoner Michael doesn’t know much about his grandfather Leroy, who died in WWI as one of the rare black members of the RAF. There is a mystery surrounding Leroy that even Michael’s mother cannot explain. Then he receives a belated gift—a framed photograph of Leroy. This photo, however, contains a secret that, for the first time ever, will tell the forgotten tale of this brave soldier. Here the narrative shifts to a letter that takes us back to WWI, and it’s a large chunk of pages, which does slow the book’s momentum. It’s a fine story, though, even if Leroy’s goodness is a bit too perfect to be believed. In fact, the entire book is squeaky-clean, which may make some eyes roll, even while being that warm, gentle read that others savor. Regardless, readers will be moved by Michael’s plan to reverse an old unfairness—because he was black, Leroy never got his medal, but that’s about to change. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 02/01/2014 Gr 4–8—Michael lives in London in the 1940s with his French mother, who became a war widow before he was born. On a regular basis, they visit Auntie Pish and Auntie Snowdrop, who raised his father. A letter written by Aunt Snowdrop arrives several years after her death, and as Michael reads it, he discovers the truth about his heritage, about his family, and about the bravery of his grandfather, who was black. This letter creates a story within a story, in which Morpurgo deals honestly with themes of war, death, and the racial injustice. According to an author's note, the novel is inspired by the true story of Walter Tull, a black officer in the British Army in World War I, who, although courageous, was never awarded a medal due to the color of his skin. Even though it's short and simple to read, appealing to reluctant readers, this novel offers readers of all ages a beautiful multilayered story of compassion, loyalty, and courage.—Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
