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Home / Series / Historical Animal Stories

Series

Historical Animal Stories

Phil Earle’s Historical Animal Stories are companion novels about children whose lives are changed by animals during periods of danger and social upheaval. When the Sky Falls, While the Storm Rages and Until the Road Ends are set on the British home front during the Second World War, using a gorilla, family pets and a rescue dog to explore evacuation, bombing, bereavement and the responsibilities children assume when adults cannot protect them.

The Dawn of Adonis moves back to Edwardian London and provides the origin story of the gorilla who later appears in When the Sky Falls. The books share themes and occasional connections but are not a numbered continuous sequence; each can be read independently as a historical adventure about loyalty, survival and the bond between people and animals.

Reading order

Books in this series (4 books)

The Dawn of Adonis cover

#1 – The Dawn of Adonis

Phil Earle

In 1911, twelve-year-old Nettie Beecroft and her veterinary-surgeon father are drawn into London’s criminal underworld when a gravely mistreated gorilla is smuggled through the docks. The animal belongs to Goliath Deeds, a ruthless trafficker who expects to profit from her and uses the young pickpocket Toff…

Until the Road Ends cover

#2 – Until the Road Ends

Phil Earle

Peggy rescues the stray dog Beau and makes him part of the Alford family, but the outbreak of war separates them when Peggy and her brother Wilf are evacuated from London. Beau remains with their parents and becomes an unofficial rescue dog, searching bombed buildings for…

When the Sky Falls cover

#3 – When the Sky Falls

Phil Earle

In 1941, angry and isolated twelve-year-old Joseph is sent from Yorkshire to London, where he lives with the formidable Mrs Farrelly and helps at her struggling zoo. Mrs F’s greatest responsibility is Adonis, a powerful silverback gorilla whose captivity initially mirrors Joseph’s own sense of abandonment.…

While the Storm Rages cover

#4 – While the Storm Rages

Phil Earle

In September 1939, Noah promises his departing soldier father that he will protect the family dog, Winn. When official advice and public fear lead thousands of owners to have their animals destroyed before the expected bombing begins, Noah refuses to surrender Winn and joins his friends…