Beau, Mabel and Bomber.
This story, set in World War II is set around the voices of these three animals and their owners.
(I'll do my best to give no spoilers)
This family are faced with the same struggle that many other families had to face during the war. Evacuation and what to do with their pets.
Beau tells the story of the choices his family make and how they manage the war. With bombs, shelters and loss this book manages unexpected loss and also loyalty.

What do these animals do when faced with loss and war ... Beautifully written and an interesting view point too. Thanks to netgalley for an eCopy to read before it was published

Having read and LOVED When the Sky Falls and While the Storm Rages, I was super excited when this arrived !

And, let me tell you now it doesn’t disappoint.

As with the previous two books, true stories of WW2 inspire a story in which animals play a central role, as here we see an unlikely trio of cat, dog and pigeon embark on an epic journey across the country in order to be reunited with their evacuated owners, Peggy and younger brother Wilfrid.

Beau’s journey back to Peggy is by turns an amusing, amazing and alarming adventure filled with unlikely alliances, acerbic retorts (thanks Mabel), and ultimately affection. Oh, and a crocodile.

Theirs is a journey filled with highs and lows, heart-in-the-mouth moments, hope and friendship.

And it all culminates in the most dramatic way. I was wondering throughout quite how it would end and, the closer we got, hoping against hope it wouldn’t go the way I thought it might… But it was the perfect ending, despite breaking me once more!

Phil Earle has done it again. Once more using the lesser known true stories, events and characters from the war as a starting point, he brings us another addictive historical adventure that is a hugely emotional, with characters you can’t help but love and root for all the way.

Phil Earle can literally do no wrong. Every book I have read of his has brought me to tears (in the best way) and has taken me on the best kind of emotional rollercoaster. A must read, regardless of age!

As a fan of Phil Earle’s previous books set in the war era, I was really excited to read his newest book Until the Road Ends and it did not disappoint. Much like his other books, it warmed my heart but not after breaking it first! This beautiful book is written from the perspective of a stray dog who becomes part of a loving family who face even more challenges once the war strikes. What happens next will take you on an emotional journey.

Wow! Having read and loved When The Sky Falls and While The Storm Rages, the expectation was suer high for Phil Earle’s third book set during WW2., Until The Road Ends.

As with his previous two novels, Earle has taken inspiration from real historical events and has crafted a story with the power to engage and educate the reader about what life was like living in this unique period in world history. Within this book, we are shown the fear and emotional devastation wrought by The Blitz, which tore not only buildings, but families and communities wide apart.

We join the Alford family just as young Peggy rescues a stray dog and brings him home to her mum, dad and younger brother Wilf. Peggy nurtures her ‘Beau’ back to health and a strong bond of friendship develops between them. Beau is not the only pet in the family home. Wilf’s cat Mabel loves to express her independence and her acerbic tongue lashes out at every opportunity! Beau also gets to know Bomber, a proud carrier pigeon living next door, and who is ready and waiting to add his contribution to the war effort.

As the reality of war comes ever closer, the Alford’s make the heart-wrenching decision to evacuate their children away to an aunt on the South Coast but unfortunately, Beau and Mabel must stay in London. The Alford’s keep their promise to look after their pets until they return, a promise that goes directly against the request of the Government. In reading While The Storm Rages I learnt about a Government pamphlet which in 1939, advised British pet owners to either evacuate their animals to the country or have them destroyed. With food and other essential services being rationed, pet ownership was now considered an ‘unpatriotic luxury’ . And yet, as the Blitz intensifies, night after night Beau goes out with Mr Alford, an air-raid warden with the Home Gaurd, sniffing out and searching for survivors in the bomb wreckage and saving many lives.

A historical end note tells the reader how this poignant story of heroism and bravery, highlighting the extraordinary courage of both people and animals who served in The Home Front, is based on the true experiences of Rip, Britain’s most decorated search and rescue dog,

The story then takes on a dramatic new focus after an unthinkable tragedy occurs. Beau, Bomber and a reluctant Mabel set off on a seemingly impossible journey to be reunited with Peggy and Wilf. Beau promises to keep searching for Peggy ‘until the road ends’ and the reader is taken with the three of them on an adventure full of danger and thrills, hold your breath moments and humour; the latter coming mainly from Mabel’s voice, and Earle’s perfect characterisation of her feline sense of superiority. I thoroughly enjoyed accompanying Beau, Mabel and Bomber on their mission, and was willing them onwards and forwards towards the lighthouse, to be reunited with their humans.

Whilst this is a story set within WW2 Britain, its universal themes of friendship, family, loyalty and loss will make connections with readers across the years. Until The Road Ends is an engaging and educational read, with all the ingredients needed for a ‘modern classic’; authentic storytelling and a ‘voice’ that willl remain long after the last page has been turned.

I am not usually a fan of ‘anthropomorphizing’ animals within fiction, however, Earle writes with such skill that it is no effort at all to believe in his talking animal protagonists and in how they act and make decisions in similar ways to humans. Indeed, through this, as readers we can make greater sense of what is happening and develop empathy and connectedness with his characters, both animal and human, which ultimately leads to a much richer reading experience.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for readers of all ages. It is well deserving of a place in all school libraries, classrooms, and home bookshelves!

Thanks to Anderson Press and #Netgalley for an e-arc of this title. #UntilTheRoadEnds

Another cracker from Phil Earle.

Having read When The Sky Falls, firstly to myself and then to my year six class, I knew that any book by Phil Earle would be something I would be interested in reading. I then read While the Storm Rages and this concreted my view. Phil's narration of Blitz time Britain is excellent and never fails to elicit emotion.

This new book carried on the trend. Although slightly different from the others in the fact that the protagonist is a dog, rather than a child, this book did not disappoint. Until the road ends sees brave dog, Beau, travelling to find his owner Peggy, who has been evacuated. The relationships formed along the way are both inspiring and heart-warming. The situations Beau and his comrades encounter are gripping and make the book a real page turner.

The historical events are very interesting and reading about them encourages me to look into them further. Also, I really like the subtle way that Phil Earle ties in characters from his other books.

Firstly, I haven't read any Phil Earle books, I certainly will be now. I know my lovely local indie lady at Ottie & the Bea thinks he is great.
This book made me cry and I don't mean brought a tear to my eye (which really isn't hard) but full on crying.
I was a bit put off by the idea that there were 54 chapters! But don't be they are really short (is this normal for Phil's books? I know he also writes for Barrington Stoke who are great for short chapters) which is excellent for bedtime reading.

We first meet Beau a street dog, when entranced by the truck coming towards him he lies in the road awaiting his fate....until two hands drag him away. Those hands take him home. They belong to Peggy, a young girl who lives with her parents, Mr & Mrs Alford, and brother Wilf and Mabel his pet cat. For the first time ever Beau finds humans that are kind. They laugh a lot, they love each other and share everything they have.
But WW2 is coming. The Alfords receive a letter stating pets should be put down. Peggy is distraught, her father eventually concedes that Beau and Mabel are part of the family and he will do his best to look after them. Then, like most children in London, Peggy and Wilf are evacuated to Anvil Point, Aunt Sylvie's home on the south coast. but she can't take the animals.
Peggy sends regular letters which the Alford's read out to Beau. Beau chats about the war with the homing pigeon, Bomber, who lives next door to the Alford's. Bomber is waiting to be a soldier just like the pigeons in WW1. In the meantime Beau has become Mr Alford's shadow on his nightly work as a warden. Beau's nose proves useful in finding people in the rubble.
But one night a massive bomb lands in Balham High Street....
Beau decides then that he must go to Peggy, and with Bomber's help begins a long journey, that Mabel refuses to join him on....
This book is just beautiful. Beau's love for Peggy and her family transcends the danger of an unknown journey during wartime.
I will be buying a copy of this book for myself! And for school.

Until the Road Ends is the third novel by Phil Earle set during the Blitz of World War Two. Like its companions, When the Sky Falls & While the Storm Rages, it is a stunning story of loyalty and hope. Even in Britain’s darkest moments, there were humans and animals who acted with valour and true heart. Phil Earle explores the perspectives of these heroes and provides readers with a window to the most remarkable unknown stories.

In the first moments of Until the Road Ends, we meet Beau – not the most handsome of dogs but one so full of love and life that readers can’t help but adore him. Exquisite detail transports the reader back in time and right into the heart of his story. When he is adopted by the Alford family (Peggy, Wilf and their parents), it seems his life is changing for the better – but Hitler and the Nazis are dominating the headlines. The threat of war is real. Talk of bombs, gas masks and evacuation mean another change is looming on the horizon.

Peggy and Wilf are sent to the coast to live with their Aunt Sylvie on the condition that Beau and the charmingly grumpy cat, Mabel, will not be put down and will continue to live with their parents. The animals are lonely but life is ok. Beau is allowed to help Mr Alford in his role as an air raid warden and thrives on helping others.

Then, the unthinkable happens. Beau, Mabel and Bomber (a wonderfully brave and determined pigeon desperate to contribute to the war effort) set off on the most incredible journey.

Phil Earle has an invaluable talent for helping children understand the reality of war and the loss experienced by so many – not only loss of life, but loss of their homes, belongings, family, loss of their history. The innocent love between a girl and her dog transcends time and hits readers hard. We can’t help but be completely invested in the adventure Beau, Mabel and Bomber find themselves on.

This third book by Phil Earle is outstanding! Once again set during WW2, the genius of this story is that the war is seen through the eyes of a dog, a cat and a pigeon. The relationships between the animals at times provide a moment of levity in what can be quite a tough read in places. The story begins when Peggy rescues a stray dog who she names Beau. They become inseparable, until the dangers of living in London cause Peggy's parents to send her and her brother to the relative safety of the coast. As the bombs fall ,Beau works with Peggy's father and becomes a rescue dog searching for victims buried by rubble until the moment when Peggy's parents are killed, leading Beau and his companions to go in search of Peggy and her brother.
As ever this is beautifully written. There is some historical authenticity behind the story of Beau which will appeal to anyone who wants to understand more about the war but most of all the sensitive portrayal of loss during wartime will tug at the heartstrings of everyone who reads this.


. .

Until the Road Ends
By Phil Earle
Published by Andersen Press Ltd

Another fabulous gripping and edge of your seat novel from Phil Earle, the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls. This war torn adventure takes you on a journey of love, loyalty and bravery through the eyes of a dog, cat and a pigeon.

When young, brave Peggy saves a stray dog, a beautiful & loyal friendship begins. Peggy and Beau are inseparable: until the savage and heartbreaking reality of the war tears them apart.
Peggy and her brother are evacuated to the coast while their parents and loyal Beau are left behind in the city. And it is here that he becomes the most extraordinary and unlikely of war heroes.
Night after night, alongside Peggy’s dad, they search the streets, saving countless families as bombs destroy homes, streets and towns.
But then disaster strikes, Peggy’s parents are killed and she and Beau are left alone, hundreds of miles apart. But Beau has a plan to reunite them with the help, determination and courage of his friends Mabel the cat and Bomber the pigeon.

Poignantly written, combining heartfelt sadness alongside immense honesty and bravery. This is pure success in the pages of a book. A must read, accessible to all.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.

#Netgallery
#PhilEarle
#Andersonpressltd

Until the Road Ends is Phil Earle’s latest novel set during the Blitz. Once again Phil has woven a magical fictional story around some fascinating real events resulting in a tender tale of love and friendship that is put to the ultimate test.
The story begins with the rescue of stray dog Beau by Peggy who manages to persuade her family to give him a home despite the challenging times they are living through. But their story is short lived as evacuation tears the two apart before their story has truly begun. Left at home with only a crotchety cat called Mabel for company, Beau finds a new pal in Bomber the pigeon (who is always ready for action) and a new purpose as a search and rescue dog. As the devastation of the Blitz intensifies, Beau’s keen nose means that he saves and reunites countless families alongside Peggy’s father in his role as an air raid warden. But tragedy strikes when both of Peggy and Wilf’s parents are killed leaving them as orphans miles away with Aunt Sylvie. Beau knows that his girl needs him and he is determined to do whatever it takes to be reunited with her. An epic journey follows with Beau, Mabel and Bomber undertaking an incredible and seemingly impossible journey. Luck, bravery, loyalty, kindness, tragedy and even a crocodile feature along the way as they make their way along the road to Peggy and Wilf. The road is challenging, and so too at times are the dynamics of their relationships which are truly put to the test.
A poignant and beautiful story, the road ends in a different way than any of them had imagined but in a way that will stay with the reader for some time after finishing reading.

Another wonderful, war-based story from Phil Earle
This book is told from the perspective of Beau, a stray dog taken in and loved dearly by young girl Peggy
When Peggy is evacuated, Beau stays behind helping her father. When tragedy strikes, Beau and his friends make an epic journey.
A wonderful story of friendship, courage and love.

And yet again, Phil Earle produces another masterpiece in Until the Road Ends, his latest novel set in World War 2. Earle is a rare talent and his writing is truly beautiful - a masterclass in capturing the emotions of the reader.

Until the Road Ends is told from the perspective of Beau, a stray dog saved from near death by the wonderful Peggy and her family. When Peggy is evacuated due to the war, Beau’s world is turned upside down.

This is a wonderful story, reminding us of the contributions of many often unsung heroes during the war. There are no lulls in the action - I read this book in one sitting as I simply could not put it down. The characters are likeable and the emotion is real. Until the Road Ends has more than earned its place on my classroom bookshelf - it’s perfect for Year 5 and above. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

At the very beginning of the book, we see a stray dog rescued from being run-over. Peggy, the girl who saved him, takes him home, persuades her family to let her keep him and then names him Beau. And so begins a great friendship. However, Peggy and her family live in London and World War II is just beginning. Fearing for their children, Mr & Mrs Alford decide to send Peggy and her younger brother, Wilf, to stay with their Aunt Sylvie on the coast, away from the threat of the bombs. There's just one problem: Beau and Wilf's cat, Mabel, have to stay behind. Despite the instruction by the government to have all pets put to sleep, the Alfords agree to do their very best to keep Beau and Wilf safe and, in return, Poppy agrees to write regularly to Beau.
At this stage, I'm not going to say much more as I don't want to spoil things for you, but it's safe to say that what happens, is a story of heroism and determination what will warm your heart.

I am a huge fan of Phil's work and so I was absolutely thrilled when Until The Road Ends appeared on NetGalley and, I have to say, it took me all my will power not to dive into it immediately; however, I was determined to save it until I could read it without the threat of interruption, and last night was that time.

Set at the beginning of WWII, in London, we get to know Beau quickly as a dog that has had to survive in his own but Peggy's love soon shows him the life he can have and, for a brief while, he has that. After Peggy has left for the safety of her aunt's, Beau is loved by Mr and Mrs Alford and he waits with anticipation to hear news from Peggy in her letters. However, we soon see just exactly what sort of dog Beau is and the determination and resilience he possesses is highlighted on so many occasions. Again, I don't want to spoil anything but, along with a somewhat reluctant Mabel, and Bomber the pigeon, Beau is a character you will fall in love with, you'll very quickly forget he isn't human and will be willing him on at every turn.

Phil has quickly become a writer whose books I know I'm going to enjoy before I've even read the blurb and Until The Road Ends is quite possibly his best book yet. I read it in one sitting and was completely immersed in Beau's world. At times, I cried; at times, I chuckled and, on several occasions, I found myself shouting at the book! What I'm trying to say, in a way that I really don't feel is doing the book justice, is that Phil has done it again: Until The Road Ends is a simply brilliant story of love, loss, determination and friendship that will warm your heart. Publishing on the 1st June, I absolutely urge you to pre-order it and then lock yourself away until you've finished at as you won't be able to put it down.

Like the last two books by Phil Earle, this is also set in the time of World War 2 and features some inspirational animals. A lovely storyline with both sad and heartwarming events. I’d recommend this to my class and I’m sure they’ll love it!

Another amazing story set during the WW2 blitz from Phil Earle and this one is wonderful elwith the main character point of view being animals. Beau, a stray dog is rescued from the street and taken into a family home where he learns about love, safety and friendship. But then war comes and with it the advice to put pets down and evacuate children. Beau has a strong sense of smell and helps Mr Alfrod in his job as an ARP, sniffing out survivors while his owner, Peggy, is sent to live with her aunt on the south coast with her brother Wilf. Wilf's haughty cat Mabel is left behind in London too and her and Beau meet Bomber, a carrier pigeon training for the war effort. When tragedy strikes in London, the 3 animals set off for the south coast to reunite with Peggy and Wilf and the story of their epic journey is full of danger, excitement and its own share of tragedy. Beau says he will keep searching for Peggy until the road ends and what a story this is. Loved rhe animal's point of view and the fact lots of it is based on truth such as Beau's job to search out survivors. I won't spoil it by saying more but this is a must read book if you love historical fiction,animal adventures or just a good story.

Beau was a stray with little interest in life when he was saved from being run over by Peggy. Not only is Peggy kind, but her parents are too, agreeing she can keep the dog. The only two who aren’t keen on Beau are Wilf, Peggy’s younger brother and his cat Mabel who says she cares for no one.
Bomber is a pigeon convinced he is a soldier who is destined to help in the approaching War who regularly uses the garden fencepost to rest when returning from a flight.
Then war is declared and the unthinkable happens as Peggy and Wilf are evacuated from London to live by the sea with an aunt who does not like pets.
Beau starts to help Peggy’s Dad in his role in the Home Guard, searching the streets, herding people into bomb shelters, then sniffing out bombed houses saving many lives. But then disaster strikes and Beau is alone.
But Bomber the pigeon comes to his rescue with Mable playing her part.
Wonderful characters complement the tense action in this heart breaking novel of WW11.

Phil Earle is the master of writing tales that hook you in from the first chapter.
Set in WW2, Until the Road Ends is told from the perspective of an adopted dog - Beau, a cat - Mabel and a pigeon named Bomber.
Beau was a stray until he was saved from being run over by Peggy, they become inseparable until WW2 arrives on their doorstep.
Mabel belongs to Wilf (Pegg's brother) and is a cat who seemingly on the outside doesn't care about anything or anyone, but is there more to Mabel than meets the eye?
Bomber is a pigeon who is destined to help in the War and he meets Beau just as War is breaking out over London.
When Peggy and Wilf are evacuated from London to live by the sea, Beau begins his own journey.

Until the Road Ends is beautifully written, it's sad, funny, and makes you cry. A writer that can make their reader feel all of these emotions is pretty spectacular!

My book of the year!

Phil Earle definitely has the power of the pen when it comes to writing books that tug at the heartstrings. I wondered about the relevance of the title until I read those words in the book, and then again adapted at the end of the story. What a beautifully written, heart wrenching tale. It reminded me in places of The Incredible Journey with the animals making the epic journey alone but with a backdrop of WWII.
Great themes of friendship, relationships and survival abound.

“When the sky falls” is one of my favourite kid’s novels, and so I was eager to read this latest book by Phil Earle, also set in world war 2. However, this time the story is told through the eyes of an animal: Beau, a dog who is rescued by a small girl and taken in by her family, as Britain is on the brink of war. When war comes, and Peggy is evacuated, what will Beau do to be reunited with his human? Along with Mabel the cat and Bomber the pigeon they set out on a journey to where the road ends, to find their family. I read it on a train and had to stop myself from crying at the ending. I became so wrapped up in the lives of these animals and the emotions- it is another beautiful book by Phil Earle. I would highly recommend. I will confess I did spend most of the time quietly singing the “homeward bound” music in my head whilst reading!