Jets: Mossop's Last Chance

Mudpuddle Farm

by Michael Morpurgo, Shoo Rayner

Book by Morpurgo, Michael

64 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 1988

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

[John Michael Martinez (Elio. Journal) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a freebie from my previous purchases in an online store, and I just read it out of curiosity. I was surprised to find out that it was written by Michael Morpurgo, an author whose work I've been longing to read. Although it's a children's book and a light read, I love it because of its interpretation of friendship throughout the story.

In the book, Mossop, the old farm cat, spends most of his time sleeping, and the other farm animals love him for that. One morning, Farmer Rafferty, the owner of Mudpuddle Farm, finds mice in his corn bin. This discovery alerts Mossop that he might be thrown off the farm. However, Farmer Rafferty gives Mossop one last chance to prove his place on the farm: he must catch 26 rodents by sunset.

Mossop decides to start his task but struggles due to his old age. The other farm animals plan to help Mossop, coming up with various ideas. Although none of them believe it is possible, Albertine, the wise goose, devises a plan. They negotiate with the rodents, agreeing that the rodents will stay out of sight of Farmer Rafferty to prevent Mossop from being thrown out. In exchange, the rodents will no longer be disturbed.

By sunset, Mossop thinks he will be thrown off the farm, so he decides to leave without saying goodbye. However, the farm animals convince him to talk to Farmer Rafferty. In that moment, Farmer Rafferty embraces Mossop because he has accomplished his task. Mossop is grateful for his farm friends, especially Albertine.

After reading the book, I realized that in this world, there will always be good friends who help you when you're at your lowest, and those are the truest friends. This book was a quick read but a fun one indeed.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in my year 5 class during my first placement and I remember picking it up because I thought that it looked like a book that a younger child would read. Therefore I thought I would take a look. This story outlines how a group of different farm animals come together to help out the farm are cat who has become old, tired and slightly blind. The cats' job was to catch all the mice on the farm, however the mentioned ailments have prevented him from doing so. When the farmer threatens to get rid of the cat if he does not catch 24 mice by the end of the end. The story is about how all the farm animals come together to think of ways in which to help the cat. I think I was right in my assumption that this book looks like it was more suitable for younger/ upper key stage 1 or lower key stage 2 children. There were very few tricky words or use of words or punctuation that may confuse children. However, the story is lighthearted and enjoyable with a great message that a team effort can be very worthwhile. The book has excellent accompanying illustrations that will allow younger children to understand the story. Also the book does not have a typical layout, a lot of the pages are set out in a way which mimics a comic book, therefore I think that this book could be enjoyed by those children who do not normally enjoy reading or those that are reluctant to read books. Overall an enjoyable story that is suitable for a younger audience.