Operation Sippacik

by Rumer Godden

A young boy of Cyprus goes to work for the United Nations peace-keeping forces when his donkey becomes their property but refuses to work for them.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Margaret Rumer Godden was an English author of more than 60 fiction and non-fiction books. Nine of her works have been made into films, most notably Black Narcissus in 1947 and The River in 1951.
A few of her works were co-written with her elder sister, novelist Jon Godden, including Two Under the Indian Sun, a memoir of the Goddens' childhood in a region of India now part of Bangladesh.

Reviews

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4★彡 
"Sippacik means 'very small donkey' and that is what she was."

【plot】 A boy, a runty donkey, and the UN Forces rescue a Turkish-Cypriot leader from enemy territory. 【thoughts】 The first 'culturally informative' book I read that wasn't Filipiniana or Western. It's also technically 'children's lit' but doesn't shy from mentions of war, political turmoil, and violence. So this was quite a turning point in my reading journey, and i'm glad i read this book right when i did. -With graphite sketch illustrations. 【details】 rural Cyprus; 1960s; third-person, omniscient; short read. ▪ [read 2008]

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story about the Greek and Turkish Cypriots. I knew nothing about their difficulties in the 1960 and this was an account of a young boy and his donkey Sippacik. It was a great little story about the bravery of a young lad as he saves his father from certain death if captured by the Greeks. I loved the donkey and how loyal and brave she was. A good story. I also learned about a part of the world I knew nothing about.

[Eva Tipps · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a bit about geography and the culture of the island of Cyprus, so that was good. I liked the little donkey, Sippacik, and the bravery of the young boy. I was able to read the condensed version in one evening.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story of a boy and his donkey on the island of Cyprus and how they worked for the United Nations in keeping peace on their island in the 1960s

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rumer Godden, RDC-B, V3, 1979, @ 1969, 6/86. A young boy of Cyprus goes to work for the United Nations peace-keeping forces when his donkey becomes their property but refuses to work for them. Good.

[Grandma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy's love for his pet and desire to be close to his father can lead to a heartwarming adventure into manhood

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad it was a quick and easy book to read. The donkey was cute but served several good purposes.