While the Storm Rages
Phil Earle
Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Awards
From the best-selling and multi-award-winning author, Phil Earle, comes a second masterly story all about bravery, wartime, loyalty and the much-needed companionship of pets.
It is 1939, and as Noah’s dad leaves to go to war he makes Noah promise to keep their family dog safe. Yet the government advises people to have their pets put down in readiness for the chaos of war, and when Noah himself faced with evacuation he decides to run away. Together with his two friends, they take their pets and head for Windsor in search of an animal-loving Duchess.
One of the many strengths of this book is its handle on difficult issues: an experience of sudden death, separation from a parent and the sense of powerlessness at a time of war are all very sensitively examined through the eyes of a child. However, this is, above all, a compelling read with plenty of excitement as Noah steers his boat down the Thames.
It concludes with an ending that will bring a tear to many readers’ eyes. Recommended for upper KS2.
Published by Anderson Digital