In the Mouth of the Wolf Written by Michael Morpurgo. Reviewed by Joshua, Age 12

This book was based on the true story of Francis Cammaerts, Michael Morpurgo’s uncle. This is the story of his journey through the war from pacifist to spy.

At the start of this book, we are introduced to Francis at the age of 90. The book is based on his life and is telling us all the highs and the lows of his war journey. Each chapter focuses on a different part of his life from being a teacher to being a spy in enemy lines.

Although there are a lot of characters the main ones are, Francis, the pacifist and spy, Pieter, the pilot and brother of Francis, Pauline or Christine, the courier and one of the ‘three musketeers’. The three Musketeers is what Pauline, Francis and Auguste called themselves. Auguste is the bravest and best radio operator in all of France and he is mentioned at the start but then is not mentioned again.

My favourite character is Christine Granville, also known as Pauline. She was my favourite character because she was brave and like Francis said in the book loved to cause mayhem and mischief. When I read the follow up notes at the end of the book I found it heart-breaking that she had been murdered. I had really bonded with this character because Michael Morpurgo described her so vividly.

My favourite part of the book was when Francis got captured and Pauline came to his rescue. She captured his guards and interrogators. This was especially amazing because he was being held in the Gestapo headquarters and his interrogators were well known Nazi officials.

The book had a very good ending because we got to learn all the main characters backstories and reasons for becoming spies and it was also a good ending because we found out it was a true story and this was what made the book so gripping.

The book is also beautifully illustrated by French illustrator, Barroux. I loved the gentle pictures which seemed very simple but conveyed so much emotion. From the happiness of the little girl with the bunch of flowers to the destruction and sadness of the bomb falling on the farm-house. The illustrations added so much to the story.

I would recommend this book to 8+ but the hidden messages are more suitable for older readers.