'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 

'Complex, dark, intense and mysterious, When the Sky Falls is an astounding work of fiction. The characters have the knotty awkwardness of real people, and the whole book has that unfakeable feeling of Truth. Earle takes us to some very dark places in this novel, but at the end he brings us back to the light. 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 

'A bold and beautiful story' - Abi Elphinstone 

'A raw and beautiful story about the power of kindness and hope' - Anna James 

'When the Sky Falls is heart-racingly good. Powerful, kind and thrilling. An urgent reminder that when we have the courage and compassion to stand up for others - animals as well as humans - they often save us right back' - Lauren St John 

'A powerful, remarkable story. It is heart-soaringly wonderful'- Jennifer Bell 

'A raw, touching tale of a boy in WWII Britain whose biggest war is with himself. Powerful, convincing, full of heart and love' - Michelle Harrison 

'Enormously powerful and vivid – a real heart-wrenching evocation of the Blitz' - Lissa Evans 

'I was gripped by this powerful story of friendship set against the backdrop of the Blitz. I read it in one breathless sitting and felt like I was walking alongside Joseph every step of the way. It’s a raw, beautifully told story. I loved it' - Jenny McLachlan

'Beautifully written, heart-tugging and fierce. I loved it' - Jenny Downham 

'I knew I was going to love it from the opening lines' - Marcus Sedgwick 

'Packed with adventure, mystery and a whole lot of heart, When the Sky Falls feels like an instant classic' - Lisa Williamson 

'Absolutely wonderful. I literally couldn't stop reading it. Continuously exciting, increasingly moving, and the whole effect is amazingly powerful. It deserves accolades and prizes but, more profoundly, it's a fabulous gift for readers who, I think, are going to love it fiercely' - Simon Mason 

'A writer whose words hold a clarity of compassion and can carry any reader to a world that feels as real as one's own' - Non Pratt 

'Kes meets The Machine Gunners in a story that made me think and feel and remember why we need to love and be loved' - Tom Palmer 

'A lovingly crafted piece of work with a powerful emotional adventure at its heart – how to survive, how to love others, and how to let them love you. The setting is fabulous – a zoo in the middle of the Blitz, bombs flying, where the animals are both in danger and a danger. One of those books that makes you forget where you are when you’re reading it. Highly recommended' - Melvin Burgess 

'Impressive depths and fathoms of emotion and compassion run beneath a highly affecting story of lives and landscapes ravaged and torn apart by war. Based around a true story, it will touch heart and mind alike' - Jake Hope, Chair of Youth Libraries Group