POSTED: 11 SEPTEMBER 2010

A message from Afghanistan for Australian children*

In his latest novel, Shadow, international bestselling-author Michael Morpurgo addresses the civilian impact of the conflict in Afghanistan and presents the realities of war in a way that is age-appropriate yet compelling for young readers.

Told from the perspective of Afghan boy Aman, Shadow reveals not only another side to the war but also introduces children to the social and cultural differences that exist in life outside the West.

When Shadow, a bomb-sniffing spaniel, goes missing in the middle of war-torn Afghanistan, his soldier-owner is devastated.

While he is away from his owner, Shadow makes friends with a local boy who is fleeing the horror of the war.

Initially Aman is repulsed when Shadow shows up outside the caves where he and his mother live, as it’s not customary for people to keep dogs as pets in his part of the world.

But when Aman and his mother finally decide to make a bid for freedom, Shadow will not leave their side. Soon it becomes clear that the destinies of boy and dog are linked, and always will be …

Awarded an OBE in 2006, Michael Morpurgo has written more than 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize and the Whitbread Award. In 2005 he won the Blue Peter Book Award for his novel Private Peaceful, which was also adapted into an acclaimed stage play. His subsequent book, The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, spent 20 weeks in the best-seller charts, and his enormous success has continued with his most recent novels, including An Elephant in the Garden.

*Based on media release issued by HarperCollins.

PUBLISHING DETAILS

Shadow, by Michael Morpurgo | $19.99 | To be published by HarperCollins, 6 October 2010.