Inspired by a true story. 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's cage should it be damaged by a blast. Will Joseph be ready to pull the trigger if it comes to it?
This is the second book I've read recently about the Blitz of WWII. Each has given me some information I didn't have before, information that makes perfect sense when you think about it but had just never occurred to me before. I won't spoil this book by telling you what the information was, but it's jaw dropping.
Phil handles Joseph and his issues very well. Joseph is clearly unhappy and lashing out, and trying to push others away so that they don't get close and then leave. They're both so well drawn here you can feel your heart break as Mrs F seems to know the right way to start breaking through his walls without really trying. I cheered during a certain scene I won't spoil here...
I also cried at certain spots, as I think will a lot of readers! It's incredible to think of what people went through back then, and how matter of factly they dealt with it all. It's good for kids to read about that kind of thing.
This is an amazing read I really enjoyed, and I think it's going to do really well.
When the Sky Falls publishes on the 3rd of June, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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