Out of the Ashes: Part 2

By MICHAEL MORPURGO

Below the drawing Dad had written "Ruby, the only one who's allowed to read this -- except Becky. Love Dad".

It was a wonderful drawing too -- Ruby at full gallop.

It's always amazed me how well Dad can draw. He's got great big farmer's hands, like spades, and yet he draws a lot better than me, better than anyone I know.

From January 1st 2001 onwards, I wrote something in my diary about once a week, sometimes more. I could write as little or as much as I wanted, because the pages weren't dated, no saints' days, no holidays, just empty pages. So I could do drawings too, when I felt like it.

My diary year, like everyone else's, began on January 1st, but it ended on April 30th, because the storm was over. There just didn't seem any point in writing any more.

Publisher: Macmillan

Price: $14.95

Age group: 8-12 yrs