Cool!
Michael Morpurgo
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2002
⚠️Content Warnings
BloodGraphic Medical Descriptions
Robbie, football fan and animal lover, runs after his dog one day when he chases a cat and is hit by a car. Unconscious, but conscious, Robbie lies in hospital, unable to speak, move or eat. But he can hear; he is aware, even though his family and friends don’t know this. Inside his head, we hear Robbie’s thoughts; on his Mum and sister, why his parents are separated. His friends and family try desperately to reach him – even Zola, his favourite Chelsea footballer, comes to see him. And still Robbie can’t ‘wake up’. Until one day, against hospital rules, Dad brings Lucky into the hospital. Can Lucky bring Robbie back to life?
Tonight’s fit
Best for readers who enjoy: Gripping · Animal Stories · High pace
Gripping
England
POV: First-person
Published by Harper Collins
Characters
•
Children
•
Dog
•
Family
Sub-genre
•
Animal Stories
•
Coming of Age
•
Sport
Experience
•
Gripping
•
Heartwarming
•
Tense
Pace
Gentle
Adrenaline
Adrenaline
Tone
Light
Dark
Balanced
Book length
Short
Epic
Balanced
More nuance
Violence
Soft
Graphic
Soft
Romance
Background
Front and centre
Background
Worldbuilding
Light touch
Deep & dense
Light touch
Readability
Breezy
Dense
Breezy
Humour
Serious
Very funny
Serious
Target audience
Younger
Adult
Balanced
Michael Morpurgo
Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure
Michael Morpurgo is a prolific and beloved British author, known for his enchanting children's stories like War Horse and Kensuke's Kingdom, which often feature themes of nature, survival, and outsiders, with vivid settings like the Cornish coast or wartime landscapes. A former teacher and Children's Laureate (2003-2005), he co-founded the charity Farms for City Children and uses storytelling to highlight literature's importance, with many books adapted for stage and screen.
Books By This Author
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3.00
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reviews
5 stars
1 (10%)
4 stars
2 (20%)
3 stars
4 (40%)
2 stars
2 (20%)
1 stars
1 (10%)
Really enjoyed: Cool!
Cool! is the kind of book that hooks you early if you like its vibe. Characters feel distinct, and the dialogue reads naturally. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
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Mixed feelings: Cool!
I went into Cool! with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The atmosphere is the standout — it’s easy to sink into. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
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Loved it: Cool!
Cool! has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
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Really enjoyed: Cool!
Mixed feelings on Cool!, but I can see why people love it. There are a few scenes that genuinely hit emotionally. A couple of sections could have been trimmed without losing anything. Overall, I’d recommend it to the right reader.
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Mixed feelings: Cool!
Cool! has a strong core idea — the execution mostly works. The pacing stays moving and the chapters end on good beats. The middle drags and repeats the same tension a bit too long. Not perfect, but it did enough to keep me turning pages.
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Didn’t work for me: Cool!
⚠️ Spoilers: minor plot detail mentioned below. I went into Cool! with pretty normal expectations and it surprised me. The ending resolves fast compared to how much it builds up. There’s a specific turning point late in the book that changes the tone hard — that moment will make or break it for you. I’d still read more from this author even with the flaws.
Spoiler ahead
Click to reveal this review.
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