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  • When the Sky Falls

  • By: Phil Earle
  • Narrated by: Phil Earle
  • Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (117 ratings)
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When the Sky Falls cover art

When the Sky Falls

By: Phil Earle
Narrated by: Phil Earle
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Summary

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’ cage should it be damaged by a blast. Will Joseph be ready to pull the trigger if it comes to it?

©2021 Phil Earle (P)2021 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic 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." (Michael Morpurgo, best-selling author of War Horse)

"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." (Antony McGowan)

"Phil Earle writes from the heart: a story about love and friendship and how animals can connect people in the darkest of times and allow them to heal." (Gill Lewis, author of Sky Hawk)

What listeners say about When the Sky Falls

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Amazing!

Beautifully written with well developed characters and a story line so believable yet wonderfully devestating that I didn't want it to end. Short listed for the Juniper Book Awards, this is a definite contender. It gets my vote, or it would if I were young enough to vote!

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2 people found this helpful

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Breathtaking

Simply breathtaking. I never leave a review, but felt compelled to with this one. I loved it from start to finish and can't wait to share it with the young people at school. Just beautiful.

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2 people found this helpful

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gripping until the end

easy read and listen. Gloriously gripping and heart warming! I found this story following the traction this book gain on Twitter and I'm so glad I did!

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An absolutely stunning story from start to finish

Loved it. It had me gripped from the first chapter and I could wait to finish it

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1 person found this helpful

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A book that can show emotional intelligence, excitement and leave is all feeling a deeper understanding of humanity

The author reads this book in a way you can indulge and loose yourself. I felt every emotion and found myself contemplating the questions it raises eager to get back to book to see if my thoughts we right!
The humility in which its read only makes you feel it’s massive impact. Gentle voices, the right words and timing can bring a book into a movie in the mind! I cannot wait for my daughter to dive into this I am sure she will emerge more emotionally intelligent than before.

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The dyslexia part at the end 

As someone who knows someone with dyslexia I know the struggles and the younger Joseph and how he lost his dad, amazing. And how Mrs F saved the day at the end.

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When the Sky Falls, by Phil Earle

A heartwarming, gripping story with great characters. Really well read. I read this in two days and loved it!

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A gripping empathetic story

What a powerful read for young people and adults alike. My granddaughter is in Year 6 and studying World War 2. This book is part of their English and history lessons, but she was so engrossed she told me about it. As a retired primary head, I love children’s and teenage literature. The story line is so powerful I just couldn’t put it down. How children with learning difficulties or emotional problems were. treated at school in the 40s and 50s is deplorable. Thank goodness we have now moved on. Just a brilliant read.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Great storey with many themes that many children would be able to relate to. Highly recommend!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Amazing, Just a few things!

I think this book is amazing and very nice to listen to but I feel it is aimed at the wrong audience (children) and is a bit scary for them! I WOUDL recommend it for 8-9+
I think this book is quite sad and it’s based in the world war, although it’s quite sad anyone with a taste for adventure would love this!&

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