When the Sky Falls
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Andersen Press
Age 9+
Animal Stories Historical Fiction Personal & Social Issues: Death & Bereavement Second World War Fiction
It’s 1940, and Joseph has been packed off to stay with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no great fondness for children. To Joseph’s amazement, she owns the rundown city zoo where Joseph meets Adonis, a huge silverback gorilla. Adonis is ferociously strong and dangerous, but Joseph finds he has an affinity with the lonely beast. But when the bombs begin to fall, it is up to Joseph to guard Adonis’s cage should it be damaged by a blast. Will Joseph be ready to pull the trigger if it comes to it?
Winner of The Times Children’s Book of the Year; The Books Are My Bag Reader’s Award 2021, and
Sunday Independent Books of the Year (Ireland)
Named Children’s Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards!
Creators
As a child Phil Earle harboured dreams of becoming a professional footballer, only for his career to be ended by an addiction to Frazzles, as well as an all-round lack of ability. Instead, at the age of 26, he got a job in a bookshop and fell in love with children’s fiction. Eighteen years on, he is the author of fifteen novels, and delights in unearthing stories from everyday, innocuous events. He lives with his three children, on the side of a very steep hill in West Yorkshire.
Reviews
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.
Earle’s finest novel to date. Full of fierce, gritty truths but also real heart and humanity
The Bookseller, Editor’s Choice
Complex, dark, intense and mysterious, When the Sky Falls is an astounding work of fiction. For years now Earle has been one of our finest writers for young people and here he is at the height of his considerable powers.
A powerful, remarkable story. It is heart-soaringly wonderful
A lovingly crafted piece of work with a powerful emotional adventure at its heart.
