Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle

Published by Andersen Press

ISBN 978 1 83913 316 9

Phil Earle has done it again! Reminiscent of ‘The Incredible Journey’, this story centres around the adventures of Beau, a rescue dog belonging to Peggy, a young girl from London; Mabel, a haughty cat whose companion is Peggy’s brother Wilf; and Bomber, a homing pigeon neighbour of theirs who has set his heart on saving the country through his own war efforts.

Set during the Second World War, we are faced with the same dilemma as ‘While the Storm Rages’, in that citizens are called upon to euthanise their pets as part of the war effort. Saved from this fate by empathetic parents who agree to keep them in the face of community disapproval, the children are, however, evacuated to an aunt’s house on the south coast.

Beau becomes a hero of the Blitz, helping Peggy and Wilf’s father to save many lives in his role as a fire warden. We enjoy the banter between the three animals, and the apparent incompatibility of Beau and Mabel in particular.  It is heart-warming that Peggy sends letters home which Dad reads to Beau as he is their intended recipient. As ever, the characters are drawn with warmth and humour, making us care very much about their fate.

When tragedy strikes, the three animals set off on their epic journey to find the children. Cue the nail biting adventure as they encounter all sorts of terrors which require each of them to display remarkable courage and compassion.

Based on true facts and imbued with Earle’s lovable style, this joins ‘When the Sky Falls’ and ‘While the Storm Rages’ as a must read middle grade book.