Phil has done it again - an emotional, heart wrenching book. Phil captures Noah's thrilling adventure as he and his friends do what they have to do in order to save their pets - a rush across from London to the country-side. At the heart Phil captures that bond between a child (& adult!) and their pets.

I loved 'When the Sky Falls' so was excited to read this title, but was sure it could not be as good. I was wrong: this is even better! If you are teaching World War 2 at school and want a story with a difference (Year 6 and above) - choose this one! It has so many wonderful characters and messages which I think children will love and respond to.

Noah is a prickly character who is desperate to keep his promise to his dad and it is this fact alone which drives the story. The book reminded me of one by Megan Rix which also addresses the stark reality of animals in wartime: food shortages led to euthanasia of family pets. Noah is determined to avoid this fate for Winn, as are several of his 'friends' and they decide to use Noah's father's boat to transport the animals down the river to a safer home.

I can honestly say that this is a book which made me laugh and cry. It addresses the cruelty and senselessness of war, but in a way which I think children will connect with. Big Col, the bully, is a fully rounded character that any reader will be able to recognise, but also Phil Earle does a wonderful job of constructing a back story for Col which reveals so much about his behaviour that you cannot fail to empathise with him.

Like 'When the Sky Falls', this novel is inspired by real life events - though it is by no means a retelling of a real story. What a wonderful example of how one idea can be developed into a truly original story.

A heartfelt historical fiction book based on a child who runs away to help save animals being put down in the War. This was a good read and had a lot of pace / action but it lacked character development for me.

I would recommend this to my students.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

My son and I were huge fans of When the Sky Falls and so were over the moon to get a proof of this to share together at bedtime. Although there were many elements of the story that we enjoyed (as well as one slightly traumatic scene!) we weren't fully gripped. I thought the short chapters and action scenes made for a pacy read and I loved the interaction between the three unlikely crew-mates. This was a very good book, I just didn't LOVE it.

Phil Earle begins this epic story by introducing us to Noah, in the midst of a chaotic September in
1939. His dad has just left to support the country's war effort, but before he departs, he asks that
Noah promises to look after the family dog: Winn. Of course, Noah promises to do all he can to
keep Winn safe.
However, this promise becomes increasingly more difficult to keep, as the government advises that
all pets should be put down due to the encroaching war and the devastation and destruction it will
inevitably bring. There are queues for miles up and down the country as families take their beloved
pets to the local veterinary clinic. But not Noah; certainly not Winn. Instead, they head for the
Queen Maudie, which is his dad's boat, along with his friend Clementine and her dachshund. In a
bid to save as many animals as they can, they convince a few people standing in the line outside
the vets to let them take their beloved pet to a safe space, assuring them there is another way. The
children are somewhat successful in their persuasiveness, as they end up with an assortment of
dearly loved pets, including a python. It's just a shame that the python is attached to the school
bully - Big Col.
The character of Big Col is testament to Phil Earle's writing. He's a character we have all come
across. The school bully. And really, we should have little time for someone so mean. But Phil
shows us the other side of the story. He opens the door to why Big Col is the way he is and we end
up feeling incredibly sorry for him. So much so, that you end rooting for him just as much as Noah.
I absolutely loved this story. I can't tell you how much. Anybody covering WWII in school simply
needs this on their bookshelf. While you're there, read it aloud to your class. It's wonderful
And that reference to “When The Sky Falls" was a delight. I'll say no more, apart from, thank you Phil.

This book seemed like the kind of book that I would absolutely love, and it has received so much praise.
Yet, I often found myself setting this book aside to read something else.
There were some parts that I enjoyed, and yet, overall I felt that while I do see the appeal for other people. It wasn't a stand out read for me.

A heartbreaking and powerful novel for all animal lovers and lovers of historical fiction, While The Storm Rages sheds a new light upon life in WWII. When war is declared and the government advises everyone in the city to have their pets put to sleep, surely they can't be serious...can they?

For Noah, the thought of ending the life of his young dog, Winn, is unthinkable. Determined to do anything to save her, he sets off on a mission to find her a haven where she can shelter from the war whilst he is evacuated. But it's not a solo journey for soon Noah finds him accompanied by his best friend, Clem, his nemesis, Big Col, and a whole host of animals including a gigantic python. Now the pressure is on for Noah to save them all or is will his plan sink before it's even begun?

This is a corker of an adventure that has a heartbreaking poignancy from the get-go. Despite reviewing several excellent WWII novels over the past year or so - namely When The War Came Home and The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr - Phil Earle's novel offers a completely new insight into the period. I was shocked that I had never really considered what happened to animals and pets and devastated to learn the truth about the moral dilemma that people faced.

Although beautifully written with a pacy plot and lots of nail-biting action, this is not an easy read. There are some terribly sad scenes that will make your heart bleed but then, this is the gritty reality of war that not even four-legged (or no-legged) creatures could escape. Yet, despite not pulling any punches, Phil Earle adds in hope, courage, a touch of humour and some good old banter to rally the spirits. I particularly loved any scene that involved the boat or Samson and the ending didn't disappoint, although I definitely wanted to see more of Delilah!

Noah was a great MC. His courage and desperate determination felt immediate and raw. What moved me most, however, was seeing the incredulity of what war actually meant through his eyes as the world changed overnight. That fall from innocence combined with the innocent exuberance of Winn is what makes this novel really special and it's definitely a read that I'm not going to forget.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Anderson Press for allowing me to read a review copy. While the Storm Rages is released tomorrow, 2nd June 2022, in the UK.

A gritty animal rescue story that immerses you in the varied attitudes to conflict, as 3 children battle to save some beloved pets.

Brilliant portrayal of how the outbreak of war affected everyday Londonders in 1939, as well as a gripping adventure.

That was by far the easiest book I’ve read.
Not because it’s aimed at kids, but because it is such a sweet and endearing story, I couldn’t put it down. It’s filled to the brim with the steely determination and the stubbornness of youth.
The country might be on the drink of war with Hitler’s Germany, but Noah and his friends have their own one to fight!

Plucky Noah refuses to heed the word of the government, sets out on an adventure with his best friend Clem as they endeavour to change the fate of the nation's pets. Ok, maybe not the nation's pets, but as many as they can.
A seemingly sweet act that any animal lover would do, has an underlying meaning, for as long as Winn (his faithful dog) is safe, then so will his dad be.

Noah, Clem and an unlikely ally’s journey see them tackle every obstacle before them with funny, heartwarming and (sometimes) heartbreaking consequences. You are sure to laugh, smile and cry, but fear not, some of those tears will be happy ones, well, at least they were for me.

Another aspect of the story I loved was the language. It’s wonderful. I may not be from the war era, but the phrases/words used instantly take me back to my childhood, hearing similar expressions my parents would use.

*For example, “I’ll tattoo it on your behind with my hand if your not careful” Brilliant! And so reminiscent.

*side note ~ the line quoted MIGHT not appear in the final print.

If you only read a few words of my review, I hope they are - I love this book!
It’s gorgeous, and I can’t wait to add it to my collection.

Thank you so much, NetGalley & Andersen Press, for granting my request in exchange for an honest review.

TW: Animal cruelty
Emotional & physical child abuse. (Spoken of)

WHILE THE STORM RAGES is another soon-to-be classic wartime story from the author of the inimitable PHIL EARLE. Having loved WHEN THE SKY FALLS, his story of a silverback gorilla in a blitzed zoo, I've been eagerly awaiting this latest.

WHILE THE STORM RAGES is the story of young Noah and his small gang of unlikely heroes who try to rescue their pets from the government-ordered cull at the start of the World War Two. When Noah's father goes to war, he asks his son to take care of the family dog. Soon this promise turns into a madcap quest as Noah and his friends navigate down the Thames in a rusty ark to find sanctuary for two dogs, a donkey, a couple of mischievous kittens and an enormous cobra.

This story is aimed at a slightly younger age range than WHEN THE SKY FALLS (perhaps Year 3 and upward), but it nonetheless does not shy away from difficult moral questions, or the pain of animal death. While the plot is a little fantastical, the book is a fast-paced, enjoyable read and an excellent springboard for important questions such as:

To save them from the terror of air raids, and knowing that food would be in short supply, did the UK government do the right thing in recommending pet animals be euthanised?

Did Noah's father realise what he was asking when he told his son to look after their dog? Do you think Noah understood his father correctly?

Do you think Noah is doing the right thing by trying to save the animals? What are the rights and wrongs of what he is doing? Do you feel any differently by the end of the book?

Pet euthanasia is a sensitive topic which many children will need to face. By setting his story at historical remove, Phil Earle is giving children a safe space in which to discuss their feelings on the issue -- and of course, adding to the excellent World War Two fictional cannon.

Again, Earle presents a topic that is common and twists it to a new point of view. Whilst war and evacuation are typical topics for fiction, the perspective of animals in war is less common. This is a really great read with a lovely moral behind it. I would recommend to all young adult readers and we will be buying this for our library once it is out. Highly recommended!

Phil Earle certainly can write to pull at the heartstrings. The children were completely entranced by this tale. They laughed and cried and worried but ultimately loved the book. A new family classic.

This is such a wonderful read (no surprise there I’ve loved Phil’s work for a long time now)

I love stories set in and around big events as they add a real human element to the history and this is certainly one I’ll be recommending to my ks3 classes to compliment my WW2 unit

An utterly fabulous story set at the very beginning of WWII. Noah and his friends are faced with the horrific news that not only are they going to be evacuated before the bombing starts, but that the government has ordered all pets to be put down. For Noah, this presents the worst of dilemmas, since his dad (who has gone to fight in the war) promised that as long as Noah could keep their dog, Winn, safe, then he would return safely from the war. Noah is convinced that if he allows Winn to be put down, dad will not come home. So, determined to keep his word, Noah hatches a plan to keep Winn alive - a plan that ends up including an adventure on a boat, his best friend and her rather fragile dog, two mischievous kittens, a rather large donkey in a straw hat, a police chase and a bully with a terrifying python! A captivating story from beginning to end - as beautiful as it is devastating. Fantastic!

Noah and his Dad, along with their faithful dog Winn, have been working on an old boat, christened Queen Maudie after Noah’s Mum. But now Noah’s Dad has volunteered to fight believing war is about to be declared. He promises Noah he will be back and in return Noah must keep Winn safe. That’s an easy promise to keep as Noah loves Winn. But the news comes that not only has war been declared, but that all children must be evacuated from London. Even worse, as not only can he not take Winn, but the Government has suggested that all pets are put to sleep before toxic gas is released by enemy bombs.
This devastates Clem – Noah’s best friend - as much as Noah as Clem's dog Frank may be old but is equally as loved. Clem’s Mum insists Clem takes Frank to the vets so the pair join a huge queue of others doing the same. But Noah can’t do it and comes up with a plan which he knows is risky, but hopes they can implement it quickly and save Winn, Frank and a few other pets along the way. Although he hadn’t quite bargained for a bad tempered donkey named Sampson and a python called Delilah. What follows are the disasters and other events which accompany this plan.
The number of animals killed in the war has been highlighted before, but this book brings it home to younger children who may not have appreciated the scale or detail nor the impact on families. The reader can transport themselves into the position of Noah and Clem to know how they would feel if it were them.
I knew I had to read this new Phil Earle title after his absolute success with When the Sky Falls but I did not actually investigate the storyline. So when I started reading and realised it was going to involve heartache over pets I seriously thought of abandoning it. Was it going to be just too sad? Once the duo started on their adventure with an ark of animals I managed to breathe out, but the shocks were not over as there were other heart stopping moments in the book which took me by surprise.
The faith Noah had in his promise to his Dad to keep Winn safe in return for the safe return of his Dad from fighting is heart wrenching. Noah fully believes it. Adults will know it was an impossible promise to guarantee which makes it even more poignant. But the discussions around the effects of those families affected will be especially pertinent as bombs rain down on Ukraine.

The story opens in London at the dawn of World War II, where Noah is forced to make the most difficult decision of his life. What follows is an emotional journey along the Thames on a barely seaworthy boat, accompanied by Noah’s best friend, a school bully, and an assortment of pets.

The novel is partly based on true events: until I read this book, I had never heard of the cull of British pets at the start of the Second World War.

This is a beautiful story about friends sticking together, about the bond between children and their pets, and about coming of age in times of war. It is a worthy follow-up to Phil Earle’s previous novel, When The Sky Falls.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andersen Press for the digital reading copy.

A book that explores the love we share for our beloved pets and animals, WHILE THE STORM RAGES is both heart-warming and heart-breaking.

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed Earle's previous book, WHEN THE SKY FALLS, I knew I had to read this one when I saw it.

Naturally, war + pets = recipe for emotional wreckage, so I went into this book fully expecting to feel ricocheting emotions. The book opens with a promise; as Noah's dad goes off to join the war effort, he makes Noah swear to keep their dog safe. Noah, reckless but loyal, takes this promise literally – that regardless of the government mandate to put down pets humanely, he refuses to part with Winn. So begins a cross-country adventure involving a boat, two dogs, two kittens, a python and a donkey.

Earle has a huge talent for writing realistic relationships full of the ups and downs of life. Noah is joined in his adventure with Clem, his clever best friend, and Big Col, the local school bully. Their dynamic was brilliantly fun. Noah has such a great sense of humour and wit, and he bounces off the others well. Not to forget the pets, of course, which add a sense of brevity to even serious situations (I mean, how could they not when you have a donkey!).

If you manage to suspend your disbelief for the absurd premise – like how three twelve-year-olds could make it down the Thames for several days without being caught by police or Good Samaritans alike – then you'll be treated to a heart-warming story about the love we share for our pets and animals, and the bonds formed in times of strife. Without giving away too many spoilers, there is a sort of 'countdown' that occurs as the story progresses, which only adds to the urgency of Noah's quest. Once I realised it was happening I was torn up!

Funny, real, heart-warming and heart-breaking, WHILE THE STORM RAGES is another brilliant adventure from Earle.

WILL I READ MORE BY THIS AUTHOR? Yes.

Phil Earle has done it again, firmly cementing his place as one of the foremost authors of historical fiction for children. His powerful stories are destined to become classics with their honesty and relatable characters who portray the heart of everyday people in the uncertainty of war.

While the Storm Rages is an emotion-driven story, full of the strength of children in crisis – the story of a boy’s love for his dog in the midst of a crumbling world and far too many goodbyes.

Set in London at the dawn of the Second World War, Noah’s life becomes a combination of waiting and what ifs as his father enlists. All Noah has to hold onto is a promise – if Noah keeps his beloved dog Winn safe, his father will stay safe and return to them. As war is declared, Noah is devastated to read the government guidance that all pets should be humanely destroyed and children are to be evacuated. There is no way he can let Winn go and fail to keep his promise.

With the help of his best friend Clem, her elderly dachshund Frank, the local bully Big Col and his pet python Delilah, Noah embarks on a runaway rescue mission. If only he can get the pets to a wealthy animal-loving duchess in the countryside, he knows they’ll be safe. Along the way, this unlikely trio and their animal companions face unforetold dangers. They are forced to discover what it means to be brave and just what they’re made of. Responsibility for another living thing proves to be more than they ever realised – food, water, warmth, safety… things they once took for granted are now everything.

So often, stories of war focus on the impact on people and nations. Like When the Sky Falls, While the Storm Rages explores what happened to the animals when war reached British shores. They weren’t welcome in air raid shelters, the bombs would terrify them and there would be hardly enough food for people, let alone cats and dogs. What the government didn’t consider in their advice was the passion of children for their pets. One of the most important things in the world to a child is their canine or feline companion. To these little people (and many adults as well), these creatures are so much more than animals – they are members of the family, loved fiercely and protected above all else. This story is a horror of war children will understand.

Suitable for a slightly younger audience than When the Sky Falls, children from Year 3 upwards would engage well with this story. There is so much scope for discussion. Was the government right in their advice? Should Noah have runaway with the animals? What would you do in this situation? Adults need to be aware that the book includes sensitively described animal death and parts of the adventure are quite tense. There is a real sadness that children may find challenging as they become a part of the story. This opportunity for the development of empathy will be powerful.

I am so grateful to Andersen Press for an early copy of this incredible book. I’m looking forward to seeing it enjoyed by children and adults when it is published in June 2022 and will be very interested to see how teachers make use of this valuable story in the classroom.