10% off all books and free delivery over £40
Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks.

The Swallows' Flight

"Wonderfully evocative story of four young people (and a dog) before, during and after World War Two"

View All Editions

£12.99 £11.69

In Stock. Same day dispatch on orders before 3pm.

Add To Wishlist
Write A Review Read An Extract

LoveReading4Kids Says

LoveReading4Kids Says

Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2022 ages 11-14

Described as a companion piece, rather than a sequel, to the acclaimed Skylark’s War, it is nevertheless a real joy to meet some of the original characters again, but new readers fear not, this book absolutely stands alone. I think that this author is unsurpassed in character development, with every wonderfully economic, but beautifully crafted phrase or fragment of dialogue we are drawn deeper into these young lives.

At first overshadowed by the threat of war and then trying to survive within it are cousins Ruby Amaryllis and Kate and across the channel and on the other side of the conflict, best friends Hans and Erik, who bond initially over saving orphaned fledgling swallows. Indeed swallows become a motif for hope throughout the book. Another real strength of the writing is in depicting recognisably real family dynamics and relationships. As the war tears families apart, we see how the strength of family can also bring people together. The multiple perspectives (including eventually Dog, the mistreated scrapyard dog abandoned in the Blitz) build a really rich and unbiased picture of lives gradually and increasingly impacted by war.

Allowing readers to empathise with the different plights on each side of the conflict is a real asset for those studying the history of the period and whilst not skirting over or underplaying any of the true horrors of war, the underlying message is  one of hope in the capacity of humanity to show compassion across all borders and barriers. Sensitive, perceptive and immensely powerful, this superb novel is a beautifully polished gem that will leave an indelible impression on the reader.

Joy Court

Find This Book In

Suitable For:
Other Genres:

About

Press Reviews

Author

Collections Featuring This Book

Book Awards Featuring This Book

TESTY

You Might Also Like...

9+ readers

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

Judith Kerr

Hardback

In Stock

£11.69 £12.99

11+ readers

The Door of No Return

Kwame Alexander

Paperback

In Stock

£8.09 £8.99

11+ readers

Little Women: A Retelling

Laura Wood

Paperback

In Stock

£7.19 £7.99

11+ readers

Little Sure Shot

Matt Ralphs

Paperback

In Stock

£7.19 £7.99

11+ readers

Wildoak

C. C. Harrington

Paperback

In Stock

£7.19 £7.99