When The Sky Falls

What do our readers think of When The Sky Falls? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children find the friendship between Joseph and Adonis powerful, exciting and deeply moving. They also say the story is very sad at times, but they appreciate its message about friendship, resilience and carrying on through difficult experiences.

What does the Pageticker team say about When The Sky Falls?

When the Sky Falls is a gripping, wartime story about anger, grief and the unlikely friendship between a boy and a gorilla. Phil Earle gives Joseph plenty of rough edges, which makes his growing courage and compassion feel thoroughly earned. Best suited to mature readers aged 10+.

Genres

What is When The Sky Falls about?

In 1941, amidst the Blitz, 12-year-old Joseph is sent to live with the stern Mrs F, owner of a dilapidated city zoo. There, he meets Adonis, a formidable silverback gorilla. As bombs fall and tensions rise, Joseph and Adonis form an unexpected bond. But when the zoo faces destruction, Joseph must confront a heart-wrenching decision to protect his newfound friend. Inspired by true events, this gripping tale explores courage, friendship, and the resilience of the human spirit.

About the author

Phil Earle is a much-loved British author who writes exciting and heartfelt books for children. He is best known for his award-winning story 'When the Sky Falls', which is about bravery and friendship during the war. Phil enjoys visiting schools to inspire young readers and hopes his stories help children believe in themselves.

Discussion ideas around When The Sky Falls

Anger and hurt: What do you think lies beneath Joseph’s anger, and how does his behaviour affect the people around him?

An unexpected friendship: Why do Joseph and Adonis begin to understand one another, even though they cannot speak the same language?

Courage and responsibility: How does Joseph’s idea of courage change as he faces danger at the zoo?

Life during wartime: What does the story show about how war affects children, animals and the adults responsible for them?

Learning differences: How might Joseph’s experience at school have been different if the adults had understood his difficulties with reading?