Kensuke’s Kingdom
At the end of the book, Michael Morpurgo includes a postscript:
Dear Michael,
I write to tell you, in my bad English, that my name is Michiya Ogawa. I am the son of Dr
Kensuke Ogawa. Until I read your book I thought my father had died in the war. My mother
died only three years ago still believing this. As you say in your book, we lived in Nagasaki,
but we were very lucky. Before the bomb fell we went into the countryside to see my
grandmother for a few days. So we lived. I have no memories of my father, only some
photographs and your book. It would be a pleasure to talk to someone who knew my father
as you did. Maybe one day we could meet. I hope so.
With my best wishes,
Michiya Ogawa
Imagine that Kensuke has just found out that his son is still alive.
Dear Father,
After reading a book about your life written by your friend Michael, I discovered that you
were living on an island! After all these years of thinking you were dead. I cannot explain
how happy this makes me to think you might still be alive, and I have so many questions I
want to ask you.
However, I imagine you would like to hear about my mother. She died three years ago
believing that you had died. She was very sad but we kept each other company and talked
about you a lot. We were very lucky that day the bomb fell as we went to see grandma out
in the countryside. We stayed with grandma until the bombing stopped.
For many years Nagasaki was an ugly place, but now it has been rebuilt and there are
people who do not even remember the bombing. Like my son, who is named Kensuke after
you.
Please write to me, telling me all your recent news.
Your son, Michiya
Write a letter as Kensuke in response to Michiya’s letter, explaining what happened. Use
the information in the novel to help you.
Letter to Michiya
Requirements:
1. Type a letter to Michiya (font size 14).
2. Use the letter format detailed below.
3. Write a minimum of four paragraphs but no more than five.
4. Write a minimum of five sentences per paragraph. More is acceptable but not less.
5. Listed below are the topics for each paragraph:




1st paragraph – introduction and where you have been living all this time
2nd paragraph – how you came to the island and why you chose to stay there
3rd paragraph – what you did on the island and how you survived for so long
4th paragraph – how you felt when you met Michael and when he departed
Date
(written in long form)
Opening
Dear Michiya
Paragraphs 1-4 / 1-5
(please leave a line between each paragraph)
Ending
Yours sincerely
Your name
Your father, Kensuke
Complete the table below and make notes on what you will include in each of the four/five
paragraphs in your letter. For each of the paragraphs you will also need to think about your
topic/opening sentence.
This sentence indicates to the reader what will be discussed in the rest of the paragraph
and expresses the main idea in the paragraph.
Paragraph 1 (introduction and where you have been living all this time)
Description of island – Chapter 4 / Description of cave – Chapter 7
Topic/Opening sentence:
Notes:
Paragraph 2 (how you came to the island and why you chose to stay there)
How you came to the island – Chapter 8 / Why you chose to stay there – Chapters 8 – 9
Topic/Opening sentence:
Notes:
Paragraph 3 (what you did on the island and how you survived for so long)
Chapter 7 – Chapter 10 (especially Chapter 8)
Topic/Opening sentence:
Notes:
Paragraph 4 (how you felt when you met Michael and when he departed)
When Michael arrived – Chapter 5 / When Michael departed – Chapter 10
Topic/Opening sentence:
Notes:
Paragraph 5 (optional)
Topic/Opening sentence:
Notes:
Name: ________________
Date: __________
English Written Assignment Rubric
Content and
details
(6 marks)
Vocabulary
(4 marks)
Grammar and
sentence
structure
(4 marks)
Punctuation
and spelling
4
Supporting details
and information
are relevant,
plentiful and high
in quality.
Words and phrases
show maturity and
are appropriate
and specific to the
task.
All sentences are
grammatically
correct and have
varied structure.
3
Supporting details
and information
are relevant,
though somewhat
limited.
Words and phrases
are mostly
appropriate and
specific to the task.
2
Supporting details
and information
are understandable
but do not include
much detail.
Words and phrases
are occasionally
appropriate and
specific to the task.
1
Supporting details
and information
are unclear and
limited.
Most sentences are
grammatically
correct and have
varied structure.
Many sentences
are poorly
constructed.
Very few errors in
punctuation or
spelling.
Some errors in
punctuation or
spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.
Most details are
placed in a logical
order.
Most sentences are
adequately
constructed but
have a similar
structure.
Frequent errors in
punctuation or
spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.
Some details are
not in a logical or
expected order,
and this distracts
the reader.
(2 marks)
Organisation
(2 marks)
Presentation
(2 marks)
Total Score
Grade ______
All details are
placed in a logical
order.
Assignment is neat
and legible with
correct formatting.
/20 marks
Assignment is
generally neat and
legible with correct
formatting.
Assignment is not
neat and legible or
uses incorrect
formatting.
Words and phrases
are inappropriate
or not specific to
the task.
Many errors in
punctuation or
spelling that
distract the reader
from the content.
Many details are
not in a logical or
expected order.
There is little sense
that the writing is
organised.
Assignment is not
neat and legible
and uses incorrect
formatting.