The Tortoise and the Soldier: A Story of Courage and Friendship in World War I - Hardcover

Foreman, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1627791736 ISBN 13: 9781627791731

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2015

Synopsis

As a boy, Henry Friston dreamed of traveling the world. He thought he was signing up for a lifetime of adventure when he joined the Royal Navy. But when World War I begins, it launches the world, and Henry, into turmoil. While facing enemy fire at Gallipoli, Henry discovers the strength he needs to survive in an unexpected source: a tortoise. And so begins the friendship of a lifetime. Based on true events, and with charming illustrations, this story of war, courage, and friendship will win the hearts of readers.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Foreman is the author and illustrator of many best-selling books for children, including War Boy and War Game. He first met Henry Friston and Ali Pasha as a young boy growing up in England, where he still makes his home today.

Reviews

Gr 3–5—Based on a true story, this book opens with a young reporter for a British newspaper interviewing veteran Henry Friston about the pet tortoise he obtained when he served as a sailor in World War I. Friston relates his life story and shares his diary, describing his childhood as a poor student who daydreamed about traveling the world. As a young man, he joins the Royal Navy on the eve of the war. He rescues the wounded on Gallipoli, where he encounters the tortoise, names it Ali Pasha, and brings it aboard his ship. Ali becomes a mascot for the gun crew. After witnessing more action, Friston returns to England with Ali Pasha to live out the rest of his days as a gardener, with Ali becoming a local tourist attraction. This is an intriguing story that provides vivid accounts of battles and insight into one who fought. Haunting drawings convey the grimness of war in a way that children will find relatable, while maps and a few photographs flesh out the events. The title is somewhat misleading, as the tortoise is a fairly minor character (the bulk of the story focuses on Friston's war experiences). The book lacks a glossary for those not versed in Briticisms. Minor criticisms aside, this is a captivating story that will be read in one sitting. VERDICT An enticing and well-written tale that will be relished by those who enjoyed Michael Morpurgo's War Horse (Scholastic, 2007).—Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Tortoise and the Soldier

A Story of Courage and Friendship in World War I

By Michael Foreman

Henry Holt and Company

Copyright © 2013 Michael Foreman
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-62779-173-1

CHAPTER 1

it was the 1950S, and I was working for the local paper, the Lowestoft Journal. I told my mates I was a junior reporter, but really, I was just the office boy. Now and again I'd be trusted with a reporting job. Small jobs only, mind. And only when the proper reporters were busy. Still, it got me out of the office and away from the endless filing and tea runs.

It was weddings mainly. Everyone got married on a Saturday back then, so there was often a big fancy do at the church and a small wedding in the chapel at the same time. You can probably guess which one I got to report on.

I used to be given other stories too, the ones that seemed to come round again and again, just like the seasons. Summer would mean the village fete, where old Fred Carver always won the competition for Most Impressive Vegetable (thanks to the ready supply of horse manure that came from the blacksmith's next door). Autumn, it'd be the church harvest festival, then winter was the school Christmas party. Just the names and dates needed changing and–Bob's your uncle–there was my report.

But when it came to spring, well, there was one story that meant spring had well and truly sprung ... and I'd never been given the chance to report on it: Henry Friston and his famous tortoise.

* * *

It was a grayish morning in March, when the editor yelled to me across the newsroom, "Say, Trev, pop along and check on Mr. Friston's tortoise, would you? See if it's awake yet."

Back in those days, normal folk didn't have telephones at home. So, with my reporter's pad and some freshly sharpened pencils in my top pocket (I always wrote in pencil so I could check my spelling before I handed in my report), I jumped on my rusty old bike and pedaled off to the tiny village of Corton. It was Corton where Mr. Henry Friston (age fifty-nine) lived, in a pair of restored railway carriages, with his family and his tortoise, Ali Pasha (age sixty-eight-ish).

Mr. Friston was digging in his garden when I wobbled up the lane.

"Aha!" he said, catching sight of me and my pocketful of pencils. "The Journal ,is it? Well, you're bang on time; Ali Pasha woke up this weekend just gone." Henry pointed to a small wooden box sitting in a pool of sunshine, next to a rain barrel.

"He's not living outside yet," the old man continued. "It's still a bit too cold at night. But he does like a spot of sunshine."

I propped up my ancient bike and squatted down next to the wooden box. The tortoise didn't look too pleased to see me, but I was enchanted by his crinkly, beaky head and the wise old eyes that blinked beadily in my direction. I'd never seen a real live tortoise before.

"Why is he called Ali Pasha?" I blurted out.

Not the finest opening question, I know.

"It's a very long story," said Henry. "Too long to go into now." My face must have fallen, but Henry, with a twinkle in his eye, continued, "If you're really interested, come back at the weekend, and I can tell you more. Sundays are best."

So I climbed on my bike and weaved my wonky way back to the office. I told the assistant editor that Ali Pasha was indeed awake, a photographer was sent off to take a picture, and the usual report went into Friday's paper, under the headline ALI'S AWAKE–SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

But I knew there was more to this story. And I couldn't wait to find out what that was.

CHAPTER 2

Sunday came and, pencils in pock

Edition details

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1627791736
• ISBN 13: 9781627791731
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Foreman Michael
• Number of pages: 128