Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Private Peaceful

4.19 of 5 stars 4.19 · rating details · 4,874 ratings · 488 reviews

Longer novels from Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo are always a particular treat, and Private Peaceful is no exception. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, Morpurgo's novel charts both the childhood of young Thomas Peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the British army to help fight the First World War....more

Paperback, 185 pages

Published August 2nd 2004 by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (first published 2003)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Young Adult fiction by UK authors

70th out of 233 books — 260 voters

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

The Best Love Traingles

23rd out of 28 books — 21 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jun 27, 2012 *Rayne - The HeartBreaker* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

The sadest book I have ever read.
I would reccommend this to you all who like to cry over a book, but I warn you to have a tissue when your near the end, because you'll cry your heart out.
This book is passionate and brings you deep, letting you know how the characthers feeling and wishing it could change to a happy ending, but it also tells you what war and true love and brotherly friendship is about.
It tells you how Charlie and Tommo Peaceful come to at the end, and I wish I have never read this...more

8 likes · like · see review

Feb 10, 2013 Megan rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: best-books-of-all-time, real-life, historic-novels, good-authors, ya, war, love-triangles, review

Words can't even describe how much this book means to me.

I would recommend it to anyone, especially to other history 'nerds' like me. As it is the type of book that lives on even after you turn the last page. No matter how many times I've read it, it never seems to lose my interest. It is a very popular book used in schools, but I think people of all ages can relate and feel connected in some way to this story and the characters within it, not just children.

After reading I can't help but think...more

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 18, 2012 Dem rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, recommended, bookclub-reads, war

A bookclub read which I really enjoyed. Set against the backdrop of World War One, the story follows brothers Charlie and Tommo as they grow up and enlist in Britain's army to fight in the war. Each chapter begins sometime during a long night as Tommo recalls all the adventures and trials he and his family endured together. This book is aimed at 10-14 year olds however adults seem to really enjoy it and it is a great discussion book.

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2013 Krista the Krazy Kataloguer rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-ya, read-historical-fiction

A British teenage boy follows his brother into the army during World War I and is sent to the trenches in France. Describes how men who broke under the stress of war were shot as deserters. Pair this with Marcus Sedgwick's The Foreshadowing for a grim picture of the realities of war.

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 10, 2013 Montanamarynotmartha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, adult, british-lit-tour, young-adult

So well written! Huge arc at the end and the end is a shocker! Michael Mopurgo builds characters with high-moral values and a gets the readers to start questioning humanity as it affects them. Not only does the plot move from enjoyable childhood to the realities of adulthood, it also portrays the war from the eyes of a soldier in the trenches of WWI.

1 like · like · see review

Mar 14, 2013 Devina Bhogun-scott rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Private Peaceful is an amazing book,I personally think that Michael Morpurgo is a brilliant author, seeing that i have read one of his other books, Adolphus Tips.
Private Peaceful is about two young boys, who are brothers:Tommy/Tommo and Charlie Peaceful. Tommo had just started school and met his new friend Molly. He gets into fights and charlie saves him.
This story includes Big Joe there brother, Their mother, their aunt who they don't really like and the Colonel.
Molly, Charlie and Tommo are all...more

1 like · like · see review

May 12, 2013 Igor Kovalyov rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

• Igor Kovalyov
• APA citation: Morpurgo, M. (2003). Private Peaceful. London: Collins.
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Awards (If applicable): N/A
• Format: Print
• Selection Process: Recommendation
• Review:
Private Peaceful is a wonderful read for any age. Targeted to pre-teens this story takes place during World War I and is told by Thomas. Thomas is the younger brother to Charlie. We are treated to this story through a series of Thomas' memories of growing up with their older brother Big Joe and par...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 17, 2013 Jason M rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Private Peaceful" is a realistic fiction novel written by Michael Morpurgo. The story takes place during the beginning of World War I. The main character is Thomas Peaceful, a sixteen-year-old boy who lives with his family in the British countryside. His family consists of his mother, his two brothers (Charlie and Big Joe), and Charlie's wife Molly. Thomas' father died when a tree fell on him in the woods near the Peaceful's home. The Peaceful family lives on a wealthy colonel's estate. The co...more

like · see review

Jan 16, 2013 Liam D rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Private Peaceful tells the story of a brave and courageous boy named Thomas who risks his life to help protect his while they are both serving in World War 1. Throughout the war, Thomas experiences some life changing things that are hard for the reader to imagine. While the book is mainly about the war, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a compelling and motivating story. Especially one overcoming some of the most tragic events one can imagine. I would also recommend this book to anyone...more

like · see review

Oct 25, 2012 Ricky Macdonald rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Private peaceful is about a 16 year old British boy named Thomas peaceful who is spending his night reflecting back to all of his childhood memories that he shared with his two brothers charlie Peaceful, Big Joe, and the love of his life Molly. He spends his night reflecting because early in the morning (6:00 A.M.) his brother Charlie will be executed for "cowardice" actions on the battlefield. To me, it appears that back during World War 1, the British ARMY's rules were very harsh when it came...more

like · see review

Sep 09, 2012 Laura Carter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Brief Plot Summary:

Private Peaceful is a children’s novel based on the First World War. Documenting the trials and tribulations of two brothers called Charlie and Tommo, the book gives an insight in to what it was like to grow up in the country during the war. Starting with a brief observation in the present, Tommo then takes us back to the time of his childhood and his experience in the trenches with his brother. With each chapter the reader is brought nearer to the present, until the immediate...more Brief Plot Summary:

Private Peaceful is a children’s novel based on the First World War. Documenting the trials and tribulations of two brothers called Charlie and Tommo, the book gives an insight in to what it was like to grow up in the country during the war. Starting with a brief observation in the present, Tommo then takes us back to the time of his childhood and his experience in the trenches with his brother. With each chapter the reader is brought nearer to the present, until the immediate present is reached. The book ends on a depressing note: the death of his brother, however this gives the book a greater level of authenticity, and brings home that these were actual events that happened in history. The importance of family is the underlying subject matter of the book. Starting with the death of Tommo’s father, family life is immediately unhinged as Tommo’s mother is forced to go to work and his merciless Great Aunt comes to look after himself, and his two brothers Charlie and Big Joe. Big Joe, the oldest out of the brothers, has learning difficulties and is looked after constantly by the family. However, this does not impart any sort of impingement on his life. Nobody treats Big Joe differently apart from their Great Aunt and the Colonel who owns the house they live in. This upsets the family greatly and they do everything in their power to make sure no one puts Big Joe down. Tommo and Charlie’s relationship though is focused on the most. The very reason Tommo decides to go to war is because his brother does. He is not even legally allowed to, but he lies about his age. To be with and protect his brother is all Tommo ever does, and wants to do throughout the book, however he is unsuccessful in what he sees as his duty. Charlie goes against orders and is sentenced to a cowardly death as a result of his misconduct in the army. This does not stop Tommo though from carrying on his legacy as a hero of the war, not a coward. In the postscript to the text it is mentioned that it was only very recently in 2006 that the authorities recognised that the executions carried out in the war were unjustly done so. Men such as those that had quite simply fallen asleep at their posts, or who had suffered from shell shock were ludicrously sentenced to death. The postscripts mention of this supports Tommo’s claim that his brother was a worthy solider as the reader already knows, and leaves the book with a comfortable ending.

Why I like, or don’t like the book:

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and brought issues to do with family so close to home that I could not help but become immediately involved in all that Tommo and his family are exploited to during the years of the first world war. I thought the book was cleverly written and structured. With each chapter bringing the reader closer to the present and with flashbacks into the past it managed to capture and sustain my attention throughout.

Outline appropriate age range:

This book would well suit children between the ages of 9 -13.

Say how it can be used in the classroom:

This book could be used beneficially in both the classroom and home environment. Independent readers when at the reading age of 11 would find this engaging and challenging, because of the complex structure and broad use of vocabulary. In the classroom this book could be used in literacy, PSHE and history lessons here are some examples:
- In literacy lessons the book’s form can be examined (the complex use of tenses), explained and then employed by children in which to write their own account of something that happened in the past but within a certain time frame, which starts off in the past and then eventually comes into the present. With those who would find this quite a difficult task the option to write about the past by keeping it in the past could be instigated.
- The opportunity to write the book from different perspectives could be used. As there are so many characters central to the plot. Children could explore writing from different people’s point of view, whether it be in the form of a diary, an account, or a letter (as several letters appear from various people in the book – these letters could be used as a starting point when writing from that particular characters point of view).
- In PSHE the issues addressed to do with identity, family, the community, and the country at large can be utilized. Scenarios can be acted out and children can think about what they would do in that situation, and whether it is right or wrong. For example would you have told Big Joe off for running away when he was scared if you were Tommo, or Charlie? Big Joe’s learning difficulties make his character an interesting one to discuss when teaching a lesson sensitively on difference. He could be used as an example of how everyone is different, and how important it is not to treat people differently because of it.
- This book can be particularly useful in supporting history lessons, as it gives detailed accounts of what it was like to be a soldier in the war. Even though it is fictional, it can be used to help children understand what it was like, and how it would have affected the country all over. Age limits were a particular thing in the enlisting of soldiers that were not adhered to, as it can be seen when Tommo is accepted into the war at too young an age. Also there were many unjust rules of conduct, and soldiers had to undergo intense training in England before they were even sent abroad to take part in yet more training. Life in the trenches is well described in this book also giving children an idea of what conditions soldiers had to live and fight in, in the First World War.

(less)

like · see review

Apr 10, 2012 Mc rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Over this year I was to do a book report. The book Private Peaceful was recommended for me to read. I was skeptical at first because there are many books about war that have been written already. When I finally started to read the book, it caught my attention with the first couple paragraphs.
This book is about a young man in a tent awaiting a tragic end that is discovered throughout the book. While in the tent he tells a story (or memories) that he believes should be remembered. He wants to know...more

like · see review

Mar 28, 2012 Luke Galbraith rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.

Private Peaceful, a touching story about love, friendship, family, war and injustice. Private Peaceful is a story that shows the power of words. It’s a story that shows the power of promises. Private Peaceful is a children’s story that reaches the heart and plays with it like a toy car.

Thomas Peaceful is reliving and retelling his life. He is telling it as of the point where something terrible is happening in his life. Thomas’s best friend and brother, Charl...more

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo.

Private Peaceful, a touching story about love, friendship, family, war and injustice. Private Peaceful is a story that shows the power of words. It’s a story that shows the power of promises. Private Peaceful is a children’s story that reaches the heart and plays with it like a toy car.

Thomas Peaceful is reliving and retelling his life. He is telling it as of the point where something terrible is happening in his life. Thomas’s best friend and brother, Charlie, has been inhumanly sentenced to be killed by the firing squad while fight in the war. Charlie disobeyed orders for the pure reason of sibling love, and suicide. The order was pure suicide. Charlie stayed by his brother’s injured side instead of follow the Sergeants orders. It was seen as cowardice. Charlie got shot.

Thomas is the narrator. He is telling us his story. His story of love, friendship, family, war and injustice. Thomas is telling his lived in a country village during World War 1. He is grieved by his father’s death. Thomas in his heart takes full responsibility for his death, making it his deepest darkest secret. He loved his dad, so did his brothers Charlie and Big Joe. Big Joe is Thomas’s oldest brother. He is mentally challenged. His mother also loved his father very much. Everyone did but his Great Aunt Grandma Wolf.

Then a girl named Molly comes into Thomas’s life. She is the same age as his old brother, Charlie. Charlie and Thomas both have a crush on her. They end up very sore at each other. Charlie ends up getting Molly pregnant, and marrying her. This hurt Thomas and his friendship with Charlie more that you could imagine. There was only one thing could bring them back together, war.

This book was a really fantastic read. It moved me. It contained such emotion that swept me off my feet. You feel every moment in this book. It is believable, the characters are believable. It has a smart shift between past and present with the narrator. It also portrays there growing up very well, you can tell in the language and thought patterns that each character was constantly evolving. There were moments in this book that really touched the heart. Such a subtle bond between brothers is just so strong that you can feel it. You feel the emotions of each character through-out the novel. Little moments in the book just melted the heart with the pure beauty of the scene being sculptured into the minds of the readers. It shows the power of basic human emotions and morals. It usuals the magical bond of blood to truly show you how strong a connection between two people can be.

The book has constant twists and turns, never staying boring. It brings characters into the plot as quickly as some jump out. It moulds solid emotional attachment with the main character, Thomas, and those around him. It shows his emotion he has for everyone that comes into his life.
Private Peaceful is a fantastic novel for all those wanting to smile, frown, laugh, cry and all that is in between. It is a really nice easy read which just flows like an ocean.
Highly recommended.
(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 28, 2012 Jo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent read by one of my favourite authors! My son is studying this book at school so a good time for me to read it too!

This book is about one family - the Peacefuls. The father dies in a tragic accident leaving the mother to bring up three children who are Big Joe, Charlie and Tommo. The first part of the book is about their day to day life, school and dealing with their Aunt and the Colonel. The book shows how tricky life is for the family, especially the mother who has to work ext...more

like · see review

Feb 21, 2012 Alex Baugh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: world-war-i

It is the middle of World War I and on the battlefield, Private Thomas ‘Tommo’ Peaceful, 17. is sitting watch, keeping track of the time on an important newly acquired watch, afraid of falling asleep and missing precious moments of this particular night. As he sits there, Tommo recalls his life, beginning with his family in the village of Iddesleigh and, later, in the trenches of France.

The Peaceful family live in a house on the estate grounds of the Colonel, a mean local squire Life wasn’t too...more It is the middle of World War I and on the battlefield, Private Thomas ‘Tommo’ Peaceful, 17. is sitting watch, keeping track of the time on an important newly acquired watch, afraid of falling asleep and missing precious moments of this particular night. As he sits there, Tommo recalls his life, beginning with his family in the village of Iddesleigh and, later, in the trenches of France.

The Peaceful family live in a house on the estate grounds of the Colonel, a mean local squire Life wasn’t too bad for the Peaceful family until Mr. Peaceful, an estate forester, is killed by a falling tree, which the young Tommo believes is his fault. After that, Mrs. Peaceful must go to work in the Colonel’s house in order to be allowed to remain in the cottage they are living in. Great Aunt Wolf moves in to look after the children - older brothers Charlie and Big Joe, who is disabled, and Tommo. She is a mean spirited woman runs the house with an iron hand and takes every opportunity to belittle the boys.

Things aren’t much better in school. Mr. Munnings, one of two teachers, has it out for Charlie, and starts in on Tommo his first day of school. Big Joe doesn’t go to school but wanders singing Oranges and Lemons, a children’s nursery song, everywhere he goes. At school, Tommo meets Molly and it is love at first sight for him.

Soon Charlie, Tommo and Molly are inseparable friends, doing everything together, including poaching fish and game from the estate grounds. Throughout everything, having fun or getting into trouble, Charlie has been there for Tommo, so when he realizes that Charlie and Molly are secretly meeting without him, he feels betrayed, but keeps it to himself.
Charlie and Molly’s relationship leads to pregnancy and when Molly is sent packing by her parents, she and Charlie are married. When the war in France intensifies, the Colonel decides if the Peacefuls are to remain in their cottage, Charlie must enlist. After Tommo, who is too young to enlist, is called a coward by an old woman caught up in the war’s jingoism, he also decides to enlist and the brothers manage to pass themselves off as twins for the recruiter.

During basic training, they serve under the cruel, sadistic Sergeant “Horrible” Hanley who has it out for both the Peaceful boys from the beginning. And it is because of Hanley’s viciousness that Tommo is keeping this particular watch.
Generally, when I read books that are a person’s recollections of their life, I feel at though I am being told their story and the storyteller is conscious that they are addressing someone. With Private Peaceful, I felt as though I (as a reader) were simply privy to Tommo’s private memories. He wanted to be alone for the night and consciousness that I was there as a listener would have defeated his need to be alone.

Private Peaceful is a well written novel, but there are some graphic descriptions of trench warfare. It is written in the plain, straightforward language of a young country boy at that time, such there is a real eloquence to it.
There are two important issues at the center of Private Peaceful. The first issue Morpurgo brings to light is that sometimes the enemy is not the fellow facing you across the battlefield in waiting in his trench, but is right there, side by side with you.

The other issue in Private Peaceful is a moral issue that inspired Morpurgo in the first place. When the Peaceful brothers are finally sent to the front, they find themselves at Ypres, Belgium. For anyone who has ever seen the gravestone in Flanders Field, you what a particularly horrendous field of carnage it was. But among the thousands who were shot on the battlefield, are almost 300 graves of soldiers who were shot for cowardice. These men were give a fast trial, without representation and the without regard to the effects of war on their minds as well as their bodies. Some of them were still just kids, like Charlie and Tommo. And, Morpurgo writes in his Postscript, that although most countries have give pardons to there soldiers, Britain has not.

Private Peaceful is a must read for anyone interested in war literature or in humanity in general.
(less)

like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 Shirley rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Michael Morpurgo gently draws the reader into Private Peaceful, but the characters never relinquish their hold even after the last word has been read and the book closed.

Private Peaceful is recommended for a young adult audience which usually indicates the novel is most appropriate for a ninth through twelfth grade audience. There is a teenaged character who becomes pregnant out of wedlock and minimal profanity. The book illustrates the inhumanity of World War I. I would not hesitate to recomme...more

1 like · like · see review

Feb 01, 2012 Roger DeBlanck rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In this young adult novel, the year is 1916, the middle of the horrific First World War. Private Thomas Peaceful, a British soldier, hunkers down in his foxhole keeping night watch for the German enemy lurking only a football-field length away in their trenches. The war has hit a stalemate and the battlefield that separates the two armies is like a graveyard, called no man’s land. Thomas and his brother, Charlie, have witnessed hundreds of young men lose their lives attempting to charge through...more

like · see review

Mar 04, 2011 Taylor Marston rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Why I decided to read this book.
I have actually read this book several times because i think its a great book and would be a good book to do my first blog on.

Which catergory on the bingo board this book complets. This book complets the 'a book that teaches you about another time in history' as this book is set in the first world war in the front lines of france bassed in the trench warefare.

What I liked about the book.
I liked many things about this book such as the characters as Michael Morpurgo...more

like · see review

Jan 07, 2011 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Private peaceful is set in the WWI era, and time of sorrow for many countries. It takes place in Iddesleigh. In the beginning you have no idea the book is about war if you didn't keep reading, or look at the title first. It talks about the characters' child hoods, and eventually how the war starts to change things as they get older. There are many great characters in the book but one that stands out most is Charlie Peaceful. He always stands up for what he thinks is right, and it really encourag...more Private peaceful is set in the WWI era, and time of sorrow for many countries. It takes place in Iddesleigh. In the beginning you have no idea the book is about war if you didn't keep reading, or look at the title first. It talks about the characters' child hoods, and eventually how the war starts to change things as they get older. There are many great characters in the book but one that stands out most is Charlie Peaceful. He always stands up for what he thinks is right, and it really encourages me to do the same. Even with the consequences he faces, he does what's best. It's really incredible to read. Tommo Peaceful, Charlie's younger brother really looks up to him. He goes through the most emotional stress that you know of in this story. In the beginning he blames himself for killing his father, after he rescued him from a falling tree. Then there's Molly. Molly makes the trio complete. In their childhood every day Tommo, Charlie, and Molly hang out together. It's perfect until Tommo realizes Molly and Charlie are in love, for he loves her too. You also meet their other brother Big Joe, who has a mental disability. He loves to sing Oranges and Lemons, which has a great significance at the end. When Molly gets kicked out of her house for being pregnant with Charlie's son, she comes to live with Mama, and Big Joe. Charlie must go off to war, and Tommo joins him. He wants to be with Charlie again. To be his best friend. The rest of the story is about them fighting at war. Charlie at the end stays with the hurt Tommo, disobeying orders, and get the death sentence. He asks Tommo to take care of Molly and Little Tommo, and is killed at the end singing Oranges and Lemons, and the really demonstrates his bravery. Tommo never gives up his promise, and takes care of the family.
I believe one theme here is to always cherish what you have. charlie did, and was always happy. he never whined or complained about anything. Next, everything happens for a reason. Don't let guilt suck you up. Tommo had a seriously hard time with this. In the end he realizes it's not his fault, with the help of Charlie, which I'm sure raises a lot of weight off his shoulders. I think we all need to know and remember these things like Charlie and Tommo.
"He closed his eyes and as he waits he sings softly 'Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of St. Clements.'" This is significant because that is what Charlie does as he's about to die. Showing bravery, and a remembrance of home. These couple sentences point out the big the theme in the book, and that's why they're so important. I just wonder how Charlie does it. It's crazy to think you could sing after all he lived through and is about to die for no reason. I'm very glad that Tommo find peace at the end. Charlie is the greatest brother out there I'd say.
I think everyone would love this book. We could recommend it to many soldiers who know what they're going through in the story, and who need a bit of reassurance and courage that everything will be okay in the end. (less)

2 likes · like · see review

Nov 09, 2010 Michele Velthuizen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Interest level: 5th +
Reading level: easy, short book
Genre: historical fiction, World War I, WWI, soldiers
Read alikes: War Horse, Kensuke's Kingdom

Michael Morpurgo is one of my favorite authors, and this book is, in my opinion, one of his best. Incredibly, "Private Peaceful" is Michael Morpurgo's 100th book.

"Private Peaceful"is a short and easy read but, boy, the story will stay with you for a long, long time. It takes place during WWI when many young men were eager to take part in the war. Some...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 02, 2010 Rhi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, ya-you-have-my-heart, 3-stars, 2012, for-school

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

like · see review

May 31, 2010 Naomi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I first read "Private Peaceful" when I was about ten years old and I remember that it had a great impression on me. I borrowed it from the school library without particularly high expectations. I had read some of Morpurgo's work before and although I had enjoyed it I recall thinking that this book looked decidely dull. However, when I began to read the story I found it to be both historically interesting and fantastically gripping. It was the first book that really made me cry which just goes to...more

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 18, 2010 Camille rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: grade-8-ir-books-senorita-michan

In the beginning, Thomas “Tommo” Peaceful goes to school with his older brother Charlie, and where the teachers are very strict. Tommo’s dad died from saving Tommo’s life when something was about to fall on him. Big Joe is his brother, but he has brain damage and Tommo and his brother trick him into eating things and they would say it was something else. His mom got a job at the Colonel’s big house. So Grandma Wolf arrives but she isn’t really her grandmother. Grandma Wolf disrespects Big Joe be...more

like · see review

Apr 28, 2009 Kate added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: Everyone

Im 13, and we read this book in my english class. Before I read this I never understood WW1 and WW2 but it opened my eyes to the suffering and sadness of it all. I think the author was brilliant to not go straight to the trenches, but go through Tommo's whole life first. I became to love Tommo alot as he grew up, and Charlie too. When they go to war it is just so miserable and sad and I now think all soldiers in the war, and ww2 were complete heroes and dont get enough credit for what they did f...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 18, 2009 Social Voice rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

by Cesar

I am reading the book Private Peaceful for my intervention class. I am not yet finished reading it but it's a great book of a young boy growing up on the country side. It starts out that he is at the war and as every chapter passes he says something about the current moment and remembers his whole life for the rest of the chapter. His childhood just keeps going on and years pass until when he is recruited to the army. He remembers the days he has spent and the horrible battles he had fou...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2009 Helen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was one of the first books I read and I was truely amazed by how much you can link together in one book and how many times you can say something that is taken so flipantely but only chapters later so discover it was such a crutial part of the book. Besides the brave faces and the hidden truth, the curage and cowardice and the reality of what I am sure many men had to go through in the war from Private Peaceful there are so many twists and unexpectful happenings that althought they confuse t...more

like · see review

Jan 11, 2012 Serena rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo is a coming-of-age novel (grades 7 and older) that sets readers up for the dreary and devastating life of a young boy, Tommy Peaceful, whose father dies unexpectedly at work as a forester. Tommy and his brother Charlie are inseparable, and their other brother Big Joe has special needs and is often protected by the family whether it is in the school yard or at home from their Great Aunt. Tommo tells the story in a series of flashbacks about his father’s death,...more

like · see review

Jan 20, 2013 Abigail E rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In the book, Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, Tommo Peaceful is a young man who lives with his Mother and his two brothers, Charlie and Big Joe. Tommo is kind and sweet and Charlie is his best friend. Charlie is the best older brother anybody could ever have. Big Joe is special, he is always happy and loves to sing. Tommo also meets the girl of his dreams, Molly, who is friendly, nice, and becomes best friends with Charlie and Tommo.

But, Tommo finds out that Charlie and Molly are in love. T...more

like · see review

Sep 25, 2009 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended for grades 7 and up, Private Peaceful tells the story of Thomas Peaceful, an English teen during World War I who was too young to fight, but lied about his age to join the war effort. It is haunting the way this book draws the reader into Thomas's life both before and during World War I. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn about his early years, his relationships with his family, his motivations. In the end we see just how devastating the war was on Thomas's friends and family.

T...more

like · see review

Aug 23, 2011 Lisa Christen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I will tell it straight up - this is a sad story. I didn't know what I was getting into by reading this book, but by saying that I do not regret reading this book at all. I chose it because I do like to read war stories and this one was. It was also by the author of "War Horse" (Michael Morpurgo) which I enjoyed very much. Yes, it is a good story and very well written. It does fool you, though. But I don't want to give away the plot too much.

The story is about Private Peaceful and takes place d...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Student Alliance: Current Book Discussion : Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo	4	7	May 21, 2013 10:02am
Michael Morpurgo ...: Private Peaceful	1	2	Feb 01, 2013 11:18am
Year7 English 201...: Blog 6	6	8	Apr 17, 2012 10:49pm
Year7 English 201...: Blog 5	6	4	Apr 12, 2012 05:44pm
Year7 English 201...: Blog 4	1	3	Apr 09, 2012 07:00pm
Year7 English 201...: Bolg 4	1	4	Apr 07, 2012 03:42pm
Year7 English 201...: blog 3	1	4	Apr 05, 2012 08:43pm

combine
Other Editions (22)

More editions...

Genres

Historical Fiction

71 users

Young Adult

51 users

War

45 users

Childrens

21 users

Academic > School

12 users

Romance

8 users

Death

7 users

Classics

6 users

Young Adult > Teen

6 users

Realistic Fiction

6 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Michael Morpurgo

Michael Morpurgo is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the war, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to...more

More about Michael Morpurgo...

Books by Michael Morpurgo

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Soldat Peaceful

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Private Peaceful

“Being his real brother I could feel I live in his shadows, but I never have and I do not now. I live in his glow.” — 24 people liked it

“We're much alike, bee, you and me," I said. "You may carry your pack underneath you and your rifle may stick out of your bottom. But you and me, bee, are much alike.” — 15 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Private Peaceful
avg rating	preview: Private Peaceful Goodreads rating: 4.19 (4874 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1033348.Private_Peaceful?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1180383975l/1033348.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1033348.Private_Peaceful?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo[/url]

Private Peaceful

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website