Michael Morpurgo's latest novel, Born to Run, highlights the plight of racing greyhounds. Once their running careers are over these dogs are usualy put to sleep though they may only be 3 or 4 years old. The ill treatment of animals is a recurrent theme in Morpurgo's writing. In an earlier book Toro! Toro! it was the fate of the Spanish fighting bulls that drew his attention but this book reminds us that we do not to have to look far from home to find that animals are cruelly treated.

Synopsis:Joy and heartbreak combine in this bittersweet tale of a champion greyhound's journey through life -- and from owner to owner! "The sack wasn't just drifting gently along like everything else, it was turning of its own accord. There was definitely something inside it, struggling against the side of the plastic bag, kicking at it, squeaking and squealing in terror. He had no idea what it might be, only that it was alive and in danger of drowning." When Patrick saves a litter of greyhound puppies from the canal, he can't bear to hand them all over to the RSPCA. He pleads with his parents: couldn't he just keep one of them? But nothing will convince them and Patrick cries himself to sleep -- only to be woken by a greyhound puppy licking his face! Patrick christens his puppy Best Mate, and that's what he becomes. Patrick's favourite thing is to watch Best Mate running at full stretch on the heath, a speeding bullet, a cheetah-dog. Until one day Best Mate is kidnapped by a greyhound trainer, and begins a new life as a champion race dog. Suzie, the greyhound trainer's step-daughter, loves Best Mate on first sight and gives him a new name, Bright Eyes.But what will happen when he can't run?

Read Victoria Rothwell's review

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