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Born to Run
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The bag wasn't just drifting gently along, it was turning of it's own accord. There was something inside it, squeaking and squealing in terror. Patrick didn't think about it. He shrugged off his school bag and leaped into the canal.
For Best Mate, being rescued from drowning as a young puppy is only the start of his adventures. From unwanted burden to favourite companion, a ...more
For Best Mate, being rescued from drowning as a young puppy is only the start of his adventures. From unwanted burden to favourite companion, a ...more
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An excellent book as always by this exceptionally gifted children's author. It touched my heart.
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Its a touching story about a greyhound who had many different lives. He was saved from a canal with the rest of his siblings and kept by the rescuer. He was dognapped, attacked and left on his own to fend for himself, will he ever find a true home?
I recommend this book to younger aged children and animal lovers.
I really liked this story because it's heartwarming and has very good composition, it draws you into the story and you don't want to put the book down as it's full of suprises.
The only th ...more
I recommend this book to younger aged children and animal lovers.
I really liked this story because it's heartwarming and has very good composition, it draws you into the story and you don't want to put the book down as it's full of suprises.
The only th ...more
This touching book shows a young dogs hard life. From being rescued from a pond, to living on the streets, even the toughest book reader may need a box of tissues beside them. This is a lovely book, and, as I've mentioned, is very touching. I would recommend this book to a young-ish audience, around 11-12 year olds would enjoy this, but I think older teens (14ish) may also enjoy this book. I know I loved it. :)
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In this book it really shows how friends are a really important part of your life and that your friends are always there to help you. But sometimes one point in your life you must leave your old life and friends behind and find new friends. I think this book really illustrates well that part of life, that your must let go of your old comfortable life and find a new life.
Doing the reading river activity for uni really took me back to this book, as I remember it was the first chapter book that I really got into and found really emotive. Decided to re-read it and I still love it today! Definitely one of my favourite Morpurgo books.
Jul 26, 2011
Derek
added it
This is a charming story about the different lives of one dog.
"Born to run" by Micheal Morpugo is a story about the life of a greyhound and the experiences he encounters. The book is (I would probably guess) aimed at young teenagers. However, any dog lover will love this tale of a greyhound who has three different (and very contrasting) owners for the duration of this novel.
The story begins with Patrick a young boy who whilst walking on his way to school sees a bag floating in the canal which ...more
"Born to run" by Micheal Morpugo is a story about the life of a greyhound and the experiences he encounters. The book is (I would probably guess) aimed at young teenagers. However, any dog lover will love this tale of a greyhound who has three different (and very contrasting) owners for the duration of this novel.
The story begins with Patrick a young boy who whilst walking on his way to school sees a bag floating in the canal which ...more
This book is very fast paced. It rattles along with barely a paragraph or chapter in sight. I guess that is to keep children interested.
It looks like a book for young children, with wide line spacing and illustrations. But I found the content to be very adult for the style of the book. There was animal abuse, parents dying, nasty step parents, children running away, homelessness, violence. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, and don't expect to find those issues covered in a book that looks like it's ...more
It looks like a book for young children, with wide line spacing and illustrations. But I found the content to be very adult for the style of the book. There was animal abuse, parents dying, nasty step parents, children running away, homelessness, violence. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, and don't expect to find those issues covered in a book that looks like it's ...more
Yes, of course I know that Michael’s books are intended for a reading audience just slightly younger than me😊 However I am a sucker for a good doggie story and this must be one of the best out there. Absolutely marvellous!
It is quite a sad book
My friend recommended this book to me and I didn't have high expectations. But it was amazing. I recommend this to anyone who wants a short but emotional read.
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Aug 22, 2020
Claire
rated it
it was amazing
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THIS. BOOK.
As you can see, I am struggling for words.
This book is absolutely gorgeous. Strong themes of friendship, family and loyalty. Read it. Love it. Cry. Cry again. Then read all of Michael Morpurgo's other books. ALL OF THEM.
This had always been one of my top favourite Michael Morpurgo books when I read them a good few years ago, so I was skeptical and, to be honest, scared that I wouldn't love it as much if I reread it now. But wow. I was wrong. This. Book. I can't even form well-structur ...more
As you can see, I am struggling for words.
This book is absolutely gorgeous. Strong themes of friendship, family and loyalty. Read it. Love it. Cry. Cry again. Then read all of Michael Morpurgo's other books. ALL OF THEM.
This had always been one of my top favourite Michael Morpurgo books when I read them a good few years ago, so I was skeptical and, to be honest, scared that I wouldn't love it as much if I reread it now. But wow. I was wrong. This. Book. I can't even form well-structur ...more
You learn that Michael Morpurgo once had a pet Greyhound and loved his pet to bits, it was from his love of Greyhounds that this story evolved and the rough hand that these dogs are often dealt, especially ex- racing Greyhounds.
The story starts with a young boy Patrick who dreads going to school but on his way to school sees a sack floating in the canal, the sack is moving so he jumps in and rescues the sack which has 5 unwanted Greyhound puppies in. He pleads with his parents to let him keep o ...more
The story starts with a young boy Patrick who dreads going to school but on his way to school sees a sack floating in the canal, the sack is moving so he jumps in and rescues the sack which has 5 unwanted Greyhound puppies in. He pleads with his parents to let him keep o ...more
I have read this book 3 times I would recommend it if you like books that you just can't put down, this book is a brilliant book and it is a beautiful read. I love reading but this is the best book I have ever read!!!!! 5 star all the way!
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Amazing book, made me cry
Born to Run is a beautifully written, heartwarming tale of friendship, love and loss.
'Born to Run' is a touching story about a Greyhound's life and his journey with his different owners.
'Best Mate' is what he is named by his first owner, a young boy by the name Patrick, who finds him in a sack along with his other siblings flowing down a canal. Patrick saves them and feels a deep connection with this greyhound puppy, who he adopts. Bestmate lives a comfortable life with Patrick, who showers him with a lot of love and affection. But these happy days are short-lived. One day, Bes ...more
'Best Mate' is what he is named by his first owner, a young boy by the name Patrick, who finds him in a sack along with his other siblings flowing down a canal. Patrick saves them and feels a deep connection with this greyhound puppy, who he adopts. Bestmate lives a comfortable life with Patrick, who showers him with a lot of love and affection. But these happy days are short-lived. One day, Bes ...more
Michael Morpurgo has a way of writing a good solid story and out of the books of his that I have read, I would say that Born to Run is easily his best, mainly because Morpurgo does not compromise the story in anyway.
The novel is about a boy named Patrick who rescues a litter of greyhounds and keeps one, which he calls best mate. Unfortunately best mate is then stolen and passes through a series of owners, some good and some bad. Eventually he is reunited with Patrick after five years but the now ...more
This was recommended by a friend and im glad because its a very good but emotional story because the kid gets hit by a car and the only thing that could wake him up was a kiss by his dog and I do recommend it to others
Totally didn't almost cry at the end! Why did he leave?! I thought he'd recognise him! This was such a sweet book about one dog who lived lots of different lives with different people.
I really recommend it to everyone who loves dogs and happy-sad at the same time book. ...more
I really recommend it to everyone who loves dogs and happy-sad at the same time book. ...more
Beautiful story but wish the ending was a little different to make it perfect. Great read for all ages.
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Every child should read Morpurgo.
One of my favourite books to read as a child. I remember reading it over and over again and never getting bored of it!
IT WAS AMAZING!
Born to run is a very good book for me, I think. It is easy to make the reader understand while showing a lot of thoughts. It’s about a greyhound and his amazing journey.
A kid named Patrick found this greyhound dog in the cannel with other four greyhounds. Patrick became a “hero” and he only gets the chance to have one dog. He named it Best Mate because they became best mates together.
One day, Best mate was stolen in the park by the guy who found Patrick with the dogs in the can ...more
Born to run is a very good book for me, I think. It is easy to make the reader understand while showing a lot of thoughts. It’s about a greyhound and his amazing journey.
A kid named Patrick found this greyhound dog in the cannel with other four greyhounds. Patrick became a “hero” and he only gets the chance to have one dog. He named it Best Mate because they became best mates together.
One day, Best mate was stolen in the park by the guy who found Patrick with the dogs in the can ...more
A story to be read, shared and enjoyed.
Born to Run by Michael Murpurgo
This is a book for animal lovers and it follows the life of a greyhound dog. Best Mate, has had a tough life and Murpurgo illustrates this very well to the reader. We meet three characters who take care of Best Mate through his journey; Patrick is a young boy who rescues Best Mate from drowning. Becky is a teenager who becomes best friends with Brighteyes and Joe is an older man who takes comfort in the company that Paddywhack gives him.
I really enjoyed the seque ...more
This is a book for animal lovers and it follows the life of a greyhound dog. Best Mate, has had a tough life and Murpurgo illustrates this very well to the reader. We meet three characters who take care of Best Mate through his journey; Patrick is a young boy who rescues Best Mate from drowning. Becky is a teenager who becomes best friends with Brighteyes and Joe is an older man who takes comfort in the company that Paddywhack gives him.
I really enjoyed the seque ...more
This book tells us the story of the life of a greyhound dog that gets rescued by different people and as a consequence shares a part of their life for a certain period of time. He is rescued from a canal as a puppy by a young boy called Patrick who names him ‘best mate’. Best mate is a fantastic runner which results in him being noticed and becoming a racing greyhound. A new friend Becky tries to save him from the cruelness of greyhound racing, but he soon finds himself abandoned and alone. Best
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Like Black Beauty, this is the story of an animal being passed from owner to owner; unlike Black Beauty, all the owners are good people who love the dog. The evil villains appear only briefly, and any cruelty happens off stage. So this does not take you over the edge like Black Beauty does and the emotional response is muffled as a result. It's slightly sentimental, although the cause it promotes - better treatment of retired greyhounds - is worthy. The research into current social issues is goo
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I absolutely loved this book when I was younger. I read it over and over and I cried every single time and probably would if I read it again now (thinking about the dogs hectic life has me welling up now, oh god). I've always loved dogs so maybe that was my main reason for loving this so much, but this is honestly just a beautiful and touching story.
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Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL 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 Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army,
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