Dear Olly

Discover the beautiful stories of Michael Morpurgo, author of Warhorse and the nation's favourite storyteller A moving story of a brother, a sister and a swallow, and how all are in some way victims of the horrors of landmines. Olly's brother Matt wants to go and work with children who have been made orphans, through war, in Africa. He wants to be a clown and make them laugh. His mother and sister want him to stay in England and go to university. Hero, a swallow, has a journey to make too. He must fly to Africa for the winter to join all the other swallows. His journey is difficult and fraught with danger. Three separate stories are woven into one powerful and moving novel whose central theme not only exposes the horrors of war and of landmines, but also the endurance of the human spirit. Olly's older brother Matt has decided to go to Africa to become a clown. As she waits for her brother's letters, she watches the swallows, who are also going to Africa. The last one to leave is Hero, unaware of the terrible dangers he will meet on the way. When Matt sees the children in the African orphanage he knows he has made the right decision, but he could never have dreamt of what was going to happen to him there. A story in three movements, told by three voices. Suggested level: primary, intermediate A story told by three voices - a lyrical tale of family, love and determination - told by Olly, Hero, the swallow, and Matt