When the Sky Falls
The bestselling wartime animal tale inspired by a true story
Published on 3. June 2021
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-78344-965-1 (ISBN)
Description
From the bestselling author of Finn's Epic Fails comes the multi-award-winning story about the incredible friendship between a young boy and a silverback gorilla in the Second World War, inspired by a true story.
1941. War is raging. And Joseph has been sent to live in the city, where bombers rule the skies. There, he will live with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no fondness for children. Her only loves are the rundown zoo she owns and its mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the weeks pass, Joseph and Adonis become friends, but what will happen when the bombers set him rampaging free?
Other animal war stories by Phil Earle include:
While the Storm Rages
Until the Road Ends
Winner of the British Book Award for Children's Fiction Book of the Year.
'A magnificent story... It deserves every prize going' Philip Pullman
'An extraordinary story... Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement' Michael Morpurgo
1941. War is raging. And Joseph has been sent to live in the city, where bombers rule the skies. There, he will live with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no fondness for children. Her only loves are the rundown zoo she owns and its mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the weeks pass, Joseph and Adonis become friends, but what will happen when the bombers set him rampaging free?
Other animal war stories by Phil Earle include:
While the Storm Rages
Until the Road Ends
Winner of the British Book Award for Children's Fiction Book of the Year.
'A magnificent story... It deserves every prize going' Philip Pullman
'An extraordinary story... Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement' Michael Morpurgo
Reviews / Votes
A magnificent story ... It deserves every prize going -- Philip Pullman It's a wonderful story of hurt, kindness and what it means to be human in an inhumane world -- Children's Book of the Year * The Times * An extraordinary story with historical and family truth at its heart, that tells us as much about the present as the past. Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement -- Michael Morpurgo Very moving. I almost never cry at books - but this one had me in tears by the end -- Jacqueline Wilson A raw, heartfelt tale in the tradition of Goodnight Mister Tom * Sunday Times *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 13 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
259 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78344-965-1 (9781783449651)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Born and raised in the north of England, Phil Earle is the author of numerous acclaimed, award-winning books for children and teenagers. He has worked as a carer, a dramatherapist, a bookseller and a publisher, and loves talking at schools and festivals around the world. His novel When The Sky Falls won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award and the British Book Award for Children's Fiction. He lives on the side of a very steep hill with his wife, their five children and two dogs.