When the Sky Falls
Phil Earle
Subjects
- Animal Tales - bundles of fur, fluff and fun
- History Time - blasts from the past
Average rating
The multi-award-winning story about the incredible friendship between a young boy and a silverback gorilla in the Second World War, inspired by a true story.
1941. War is raging. And Joseph has been sent to live in the city, where bombers rule the skies. There, he will live with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no fondness for children. Her only loves are the rundown zoo she owns and its mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the weeks pass, Joseph and Adonis become friends, but what will happen when the bombers set him rampaging free?
Other animal war stories by Phil Earle include:
While the Storm Rages
Until the Road Ends
Winner of the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction Book of the Year.
‘A magnificent story… It deserves every prize going’ Philip Pullman
‘An extraordinary story… Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement’ Michael Morpurgo
Reviews
I liked this book
Commander Gonzo Porridge-Oats 31.03.2025
Read this book if you are very mature otherwise it will destroy you. Set during WW2, the characters go through a lot of things. There is death and heartbreak. This book made me very sad. I'm not regretting reading it, as I learned a lot, but I will never read it again.
Ambassador Viktor Spaghetti-Hoops 04.09.2024
it was amazing and it was sad and funny and I would definatly recommend it
Viscountess Esmerelda Dalmatian 10.07.2024
Brilliant
Viscount Muscles Archway 28.06.2024
I loved this book! It is now officially my second favourite book. Adonis was the only thing they had left but then these stupid people came over and shot him! I was sobbing for ages and still would thinking about it now!
Baroness Kangaroo Waterfall 09.09.2023
Really good book
Anonymous 01.09.2023
This book is amazing, I loved every second of it and couldn't put it down. I was sad when I finished it because now I have read all of his 3 books. If you love animals I would recommend all of his books.
Marshal Diamond Quest 31.08.2023
It is a really emotional book in a good way and it really shows what happened to many people during ww2.
Princess Tulip Wellington 30.08.2023
When Joseph got bought back into the raging war many Many secrets were told, and could they end the thing that they loved the most
Mademoiselle Angora Pawprint 25.08.2023
A very emotional book especially at the end. I liked that it goes into lots of detail about the war.
Sergeant Neptune Squirrel 23.08.2023
This book was a good one as it kept me wanting to read on and had amazing jumpscares! Would recommend to anyone who wants to read higher level books.
Mademoiselle Cupcake Satellite 14.08.2023
It was a good and sad book
Duchess Angora Stegosaurus 12.08.2023
It was interesting to learn about monkeys ripping people but didn't rip its owner.
Don Cornelius Nuggets 12.08.2023
Sad
Baron Trigger Cuckoo-Clock 09.08.2023
Real page turner. Thrilling read. Excellent.
Anonymous 02.08.2023
A boy is sent to the city where bombs rule the sky. A gruff Ms. F only cares about her ape Adonis. Will they find the thing they love both dead or will it cause mass destruction? I would recommend this book to anyone who like war world 2 or any type of war and to people who like long books, it’s 46 chapters long!
Countess Sapphire Hammersmith 29.07.2023
Amazing book so interesting and so much detail and hard work has been into this book would recommend it
Doctor Flossy Anteater 28.07.2023
I have enjoyed this book although I do not enjoy reading about history that much. In this book, I like Syd’s personality: chatty, friendly and kind. I would recommend this to people who like reading about World War 2.
Captain Honeycomb Bluebird 26.07.2023
I liked this book because I like Adonis the gorilla
Anonymous 22.07.2023
This happened in WWII
Senorita Wanda Postage-Stamp 19.07.2023
