Tab Article

Ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Children's / Teen's Fiction / Animal Story / Adventure

Book Review:

''Born to Run'' by Michael Morpurgo, the award-winning author of ''War Horse,'' is a heartwarming, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting tale that follows the remarkable journey of one very special dog.

The story begins with a desperate act of kindness: young Patrick rescues a tiny, terrified puppy from a sack thrown into a canal. He names the puppy Best Mate. But their time together is short-lived, and Best Mate's life becomes a series of adventures and misadventures. He passes through many hands—from a loving family to a cruel owner who exploits his speed as a racing greyhound, from a life on the streets to the care of kind strangers. Through it all, Best Mate's spirit remains unbroken, and his instinct to survive and to love never fades.

Morpurgo has an extraordinary gift for writing from an animal's perspective, capturing the world through Best Mate's senses. The story is filled with both joy and sorrow, and the reader becomes deeply invested in the dog's quest for a permanent, loving home. The Daily Mail called it ''Pitch perfect... even this hardened book reviewer kept having to wipe away the tears,'' and it's easy to see why. This is an emotional rollercoaster of a read.

Michael Foreman's beautiful illustrations add warmth and depth to the narrative, bringing Best Mate and his many friends and foes to life.

Perfect for readers aged 9 and up, ''Born to Run'' is a must-read for any animal lover. It's a powerful story about resilience, loyalty, and the enduring search for a place to belong. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you want to hug your own pets a little tighter. Highly recommended.