Author Luke Palmer introduces his new book, Play (Firefly Press) about four boys growing up together, the challenges, the friendships, and what hap... I really enjoyed reading this - the pacing and tone of the book was so perfectly balanced. Noah was such a likable voice - he had such a big heart with such a lightness to his view of life. He was faced with a difficult trial, but Phil Earle kept his youthful spirit alive with funny quips that you couldn't help but cheer along with him and pray that he'd be successful in his endeavors, particularly this one scene, where he attempted to keep his dog safe at a shelter, only to see the number of children already waiting in line Noah refuses to put his dog to sleep and so with the help of his best friend and a once enemy of his the three children set out with the pets of their classmates and an abandoned donkey on his dads boat to see that the animals are safe and well looked after.

WHILE THE STORM RAGES - Andersen Press WHILE THE STORM RAGES - Andersen Press

They decide to sail the animals to a safe shelter with the help of Noah's father's boat. The two young children are accompanied by animals with their own character traits. This won't make their journey easy.. The plot is touching. The country might be on the brink of war with Hitler’s Germany, but Noah and his friends have their own one to fight! An enjoyable read that provoked some interesting discussions with 9 year old daughter. Shifts in setting and number of characters a bit of a barrier to emotional depth of ‘When the Sky Falls’.This terrible heart-wrenching cull came about because the National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) instrumented a public information campaign that caused a reaction among anxious Britons that can only be described as patriotic panic. The advice it gave pet owners left nothing to chance: "If at all possible, send or take your household animals into the country in advance of an emergency. If you cannot place them in the care of neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed." You can read more on this in Bonzo's War by Clare Campbell. The characters learn and grow in the book, and though there is some heavy content given the setting, there are lighter moments between the characters to balance out the book for its young audience. While the Storm Rages is the eagerly awaited new novel from the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls: The Times Children's Book of the Year, Winner of the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Children’s Fiction and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. When the government advises people to have their pets put down in readiness for the chaos of war, hundreds of thousands of people do as they are told. But not Noah. He’s not that sort of boy. With his two friends in tow, he goes on the run, to save his dog and as many animals as he can. No matter what.

Phil Earle - authorfy

Being Billy and Saving Daisy were both inspired by life experiences I had whilst working in children's homes. With those books and this one, the true story element was a launchpad. What follows is 100% fiction. Great book set at the start of WW2. The history link is something I didn't know and found myself reading more about after finishing the book.

I’m working on a middle grade historical fiction book myself and so have recently bought up a number of recently published ones to learn from. Hands down this is the best one I’ve read so far. For example, “I’ll tattoo it on your behind with my hand if your not careful” Brilliant! And so reminiscent. Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments When Noah’s dad is called up to join the military on the brink of war he makes him promise to look after their pet dog telling his son that as long as the dog is fine he will be fine. With all the plight he endured, he never lost spirit, he wanted to help all the animals that came aboard. It's very much a coming-of-age story, as itself, because it is a time of war. It's not pretty - it's not without it's share of death. This was a true adventure of friendship, of bonds and trust, and the risks we're willing to take to protect the pets that we call family.

While the Storm Rages by Phil Earle - LoveReading4Kids

Having talked a few of the children in the vet's queue to join him in absconding with their pets, they made for the Queen Maudie, Noah's dad's boat, along with his friend Clementine and her dachshund. Having to take the bully Col and his pet snake Delilah wasn't on the agenda, but they felt sorry for him and obviously a little scared.It concludes with an ending that will bring a tear to many readers’ eyes. Recommended for upper KS2.