A Medal for Leroy

Name: A Medal for Leroy
Author: Michael Morpurgo

Safe for the age band

Age-appropriate with no significant concerns.

Ages: 10–18

AI summary

When Michael's aunt passes away, she leaves a letter revealing the secret history of his grandfather, Leroy. Leroy was a black officer in World War I who exhibited immense bravery on the battlefield but was denied proper military honors due to the racial prejudices of the time.

Parent notes

This is a clean, historical fiction novel for middle-grade readers and young teens that promotes honor, family legacy, and historical awareness. Parent concerns: War-related violence (World War I combat); Themes of racial discrimination/prejudice (historical context); Death of a family member (Aunt) Romance/sexual content: There is no romantic or sexual content. The story focuses on family history and war service. Language: Michael Morpurgo's children's literature is typically free of profanity. Violence: Contains depictions of World War I battles, including soldiers charging into combat zones and mentions of wounded men, though written for a younger audience. Substances: No significant substance use reported. Worldview themes: Historical Justice, Racial Equality, Patriotism, Legacy

Why parents choose this book

What makes A Medal for Leroy worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 10–18 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
Kids who tend to love it: readers ages 10–18 looking for a solid story.
Personality fit: kids ages 10–18 who enjoy a good story.

Parents love this book because

Age-appropriate content for the 10–18 band with no significant flags.
Written by Michael Morpurgo, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy A Medal for Leroy if they…

Enjoy stories written for kids around ages 10–18

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 10–18 age band.

Things parents should know

Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

Varies by reader

Length

Length varies by edition

Difficulty

Young adult

Works as read-aloud

Usually read independently

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

Why we recommend it

We think A Medal for Leroy is a confident pick for the 10–18 age band. Michael Morpurgo's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.