Black Queen

by Michael Morpurgo

The "Black Queen" is what Billy calls his shadowy next-door neighbor. She always wears a black cloak and a wide-brimmed hat, and lurks about her garden, alone except for her black cat. Scarily for Billy, the Black Queen befriends him and asks him to look after her car while she is away.

Genres: Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Kayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billy ve ailesi yeni taşındıkları eve yerleştikten sonra tavşanları Pofuduk’un olmadığını farkettiler ve böylece Billy yan Komşuları Bayan Çiçek’le tanıştı. Bayan Çiçek onu ürkütüyordu çünkü hep siyah giyiyordu ve evi satranç tahtalarıyla doluydu ve bu satranç tahtalarının taşları yoktu. Ve sonra Bayan Çiçek ona kedisini beslemesini istediğinde Billy iyice meraklandı. Bayan Çiçek New York’a gidiyordu ve kedisini beslemek hiç kolay değildi. Ve Bayan Çiçek geri döndüğünde Bayan Çiçek onu çok şaşırtacak bir şey söyleyecekti...

Bu kitap gerçekten çok güzeldi. Herkesi tavsiye ediyorum📚👍📚👍📚👍📚👍👍📚

[SilverNediya · Rating 4 out of 5]

بیشتر یه داستان سرگرم‌کننده‌ی بامزه بود که با توجه به حجم کمش، تعلیق زیاد جالبی داشت و ذهنیت پسره خیلی خوب نوشته شده بود. از این بچه‌هاییه که هر چیز کوچکی رو واسه خودش هیجانی جلوه می‌ده و ناخودآگاه توی ذهنش براشون داستان می‌سازه و به‌طبع، زندگی جذابی داره اینطوری
:)

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story, which I thought would be perfect for Halloween. I tried it as a read-aloud, but my son refused to listen further than the first two chapters - wouldn’t give me a reason as to why. 😂
Finished it myself - not at all creepy, just a wee mystery that comes right in the end, as most Morpurgo books do.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for young readers. Totally different story that I read from Michael Morpurgo.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

613 - 2019

[Aleks Kudic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bobi approves

[Buhle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it. But who's Greg mclenly mother?
The is good I love everything about it 😍😇🤗💓💕💖💗💞💝💟.
Billy shock at at the end! When Billy got sting the bee's how was it healed at the end???

[marimoon]

eu lembro que amei esse livro quando era criança, tenho que reler

[Leanne Mc]

Billy is sceptical of his neighbour, nicknamed the 'Black Queen'. Her intense black attire has the street weary of her. She is deemed as someone from the Addam's family. Billy unwillingly agrees to look after her cat while she disappears for a while. He has the urge to discover more about her identity. The book contains nightmarish dreams and secrets. Billy feels 'bewitched' by her at times. An easy read with a great twist at the end. An intriguing read almost like you are under some kind of magic spell. It will leave every nerve in your body 'jangling'.I would recommend this book for 7-9 year olds.

[Tanja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another title by one of my favorite authors, Michael Morpurgo. I love that one of the characters in his stories is often an animal, here a peculiar cat. Without saying anything further to make sure I am not giving away anything, I am sure that this story will be enjoyed by many of my students. While you might think you know relatively early where the story will lead you, be ready for some surprises!

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple easy flowing book about a boy who accidentally ends up looking after the neighbour's cat (Black Queen) the neighbour turns out to be one of his idols. Easy for children to relate to, probably more for boys than girls nice happy ending. For ages 5-8. Good book for independent or guided reading.

[Sugar8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This's funny billy thinks the black queen is a wicth but she so nice and rambo her cat is so naughty there nothing a like.loveeeeeeeeeee this fantastic book is great another goood book by Michale Morpurgo loly there should be another series

[D Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little predictable but fun. The class I read it to really enjoyed it.