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

Details

ISBN13: 9781783449651
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 320
Edition:
Publication Date:
Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
Publication City, Country: London,United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 19.8(H)x12.9(L)x2(W)256
Weight (gm): 256

Author Biography

Born and raised in the north of England, Phil Earle is the author of numerous acclaimed, award-winning books for children and teenagers. He has worked as a carer, a dramatherapist, a bookseller and a publisher, and loves talking at schools and festivals around the world. His novel When The Sky Falls won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award and the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction. He lives on the side of a very steep hill with his wife, their five children and two dogs.

Reviews

A magnificent story … It deserves every prize going -- Philip Pullman
It’s a wonderful story of hurt, kindness and what it means to be human in an inhumane world -- Children's Book of the Year * The Times *
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
Very moving. I almost never cry at books - but this one had me in tears by the end -- Jacqueline Wilson
A raw, heartfelt tale in the tradition of Goodnight Mister Tom * Sunday Times *