Shadow - A Powerful Read

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Morpurgo, Michael. 2010. Shadow. New York: Feiwel and Friends. ISBN 978-0-312-60659-6

PLOT SUMMARY

Shadow is the powerful tale of one boy's journey from a cave in war-torn Afghanistan to a safer life in England.  Aman is a fourteen year old boy who has grown up in a cave in Afghanistan.  His father was killed by Taliban soldiers many years before, and now he and his mother and grandmother are barely surviving.  When Taliban soldiers come to their cave and kill his grandmother, Aman and his mother realize they can't stay there any longer.  Thus begins their long and perilous journey to England and freedom, where they will meet up with Aman's uncle, who has offered them a place to stay.

Along the way, accompanied by a loyal dog named Shadow, Aman and his mother face danger at every turn.  There are also some surprises.  Shadow turns out to be an army sniffer dog who miraculously saves Aman and some British soldiers when she discovers the location of a bomb.

At long last, Aman and his mother arrive in England.  They begin to believe the horrors of Afghanistan are behind them.  They settle into a "normal" life, where Aman becomes an excellent football player and makes many friends, including his best friend, Matt.  Six years later, however, their world is turned upside down again when they are taken to a detention facility and set to be deported back to Afghanistan.

If Aman and his mother have any hope of remaining in England, they must rely on the help of Matt and his grandfather.  Will that be enough to thwart their rapidly approaching deportation?  And what became of Shadow, the beloved dog Aman has never stopped thinking about?

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Told through the voices of Aman, Matt, and his grandfather, Shadow gives the reader a glimpse into life in war-torn Afghanistan.  Morpurgo paints a brutal but honest view of what life is like for children and families in this battle-scarred country.  He has done his research to present this story in the most authentic way.  From army sniffer dogs, to Bamiyan, to Yarl's Wood, Morpurgo has included some actual events to bring this story to life.  

But this is also a story about courage.  Aman has endured more tragedy and devastation in his fourteen years than most people do in a lifetime, yet he is able to keep his hope for a better life alive.  Matt, faced with the prospect of losing his friend forever, summons the courage to take a stand and fight for what he believes in.  This is a message that will no doubt inspire readers.  And the courage demonstrated by Shadow the dog will have readers falling in love with her. 

This is a book that I would recommend for all middle grade readers.  While it does have some heartbreaking moments, Shadow is a great read to bring about awareness of what life is like in other parts of the world.  It will help students to understand others' perspectives and build empathy for peers who are from different cultures.

Shadow was the first book I've read by this British author, but it certainly will not be the last!

REVIEW EXCERPTS

2015 Nutmeg Book Award Nominee

2013 USBBY Outstanding International Book

From BOOKLIST - "Morpurgo humanizes the asylum story through one refugee boy’s viewpoint. The heartbreak, brutality, and loss are intensified through the crucial role of a stray dog that comes to Aman in a cave and then never leaves him (hence the name Shadow). He turns out to be a champion army dog that saves the refugees, and the animal story, along with the personal war survival drama, is heartrending."

From KIRKUS REVIEWS - "Morpurgo has long championed the plight of children and animals in wartime and here ably succeeds in dramatizing the far-reaching repercussions of the decades-old war in Afghanistan.  Humanity triumphs over evil and bureaucracy in this heart-rending and heart-affirming story."

From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "Morpurgo (War Horse) fuses the devastation of war, anguish of the refugee experience, pain of losing loved ones, healing power of friendship, and redemptive influence of a dog's loyalty in this multifaceted novel, first published in 2010...Despite many sobering plot elements, the novel's subject matter never overwhelms Morpurgo's streamlined storytelling and subtle characterizations." 

CONNECTIONS

Share this video with your students to hear Michael Morpurgo himself explain where the idea for Shadow came from.

Have your students take on the perspective of Aman and write a couple of diary entries.  Students can focus on his journey to England, his life in England, or his time in Yarl's Wood.

Shadow is a true hero.  She has saved many lives.  Have your students research another real-life animal that was a hero.  Use a presentation app or program to share the information they've learned. 

Use this novel as a starting off point to discuss 9/11 and the war that followed.

Michael Morpurgo is a prolific author who has written many novels.  Have your students read another one of his works.  Here are just a few suggestions.

• Morpurgo, Michael. War Horse. ISBN 9781405255431
• Morpurgo, Michael. Outlaw: The True Story of Robin Hood. ISBN 9780007465927
• Morpurgo, Michael. A Medal For Leroy. ISBN 9780007339686