This is a beautiful book that has the right amount of every emotion included within the stunning cover of this wonderful book.
When The Sky Falls is a novel about an angry boy who is evacuated to a city in northern France. There he is taken in by Mrs F whose family has owned a Zoo for generations, but all the animals have been moved to safer zoos in the countryside only leaving some tropical fish in the garden pond, two skinny wolves, a camel or two and a silverback Gorilla called Adonis.
This is one of the best books I have ever read about the second world war and one of the best books I have ever read in general as well. It is a beautiful tale and has just the right amount of funniness in it to suit the theme and setting of the story. It also has enough sadness in it as well. So over all it is a very well balanced book in terms of literature and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
During WWII, Joseph is sent to live with Mrs F. He makes friends and grows close to a mighty silver backed gorilla who helps him with a bully.
This book is about a boy called Joseph who is sent to live with Mrs F during WWII in Britain. Joseph and Mrs F are both similar; they are irascible and they have both lost someone they love. Joseph finds his new school difficult, especially reading class. His teacher, Miss Doherty is nice to him but Mr Gryce the headmaster wants the school to be perfect and he will do anything to achieve this, even using the dreaded cane on the children. Mrs F owns a zoo and Joseph becomes good friends with the gorilla, Adonis. How far will their friendship go? Will Adonis survive the war?
My favourite part is when Mrs F is invited to school for the monthly test, I liked her reaction to Mr Gryce who is very strict. The other bit I liked was when Syd, Joseph’s friend, stood up to Bert the bully.
If you like books about the war, you will probably enjoy this one, it is full of adventure and is inspired by a true story.
There wasn’t anything in this book I didn’t like, and I would recommend it.
I would give it 5/5.
I think Phil Earle has done a very good job with this book, because he has a very unique style. I especially loved his way of sliding in happiness and some funny parts with some moments of real misery.
A gripping story based on real life events during World War II. An anger-filled boy is relocated to the city, where danger is everywhere. There, the boy is housed by Mrs F, whose only care is for the rundown zoo she owns and Adonis, its most amazing inhabitant. As bombs fall and bonds deepen, they need to find a way to let go of everything they've lost and learn to accept what they now have. However much they don't want to.
I have read a lot of World War II fiction and find it hard to relate to it because I don't have a reference point - I've never seen a bomb detonate, for example. This book however, is different, because it isn't just about the war, it has a moving storyline, and I loved the gorilla.
I think Phil Earle has done a very good job with this book, because he has a very unique style. I especially loved his way of sliding in happiness and some funny parts with some moments of real misery.