What was it like for animals during the war? How did people have the heart to put them down? Food was scarce and feeding a pet was a “waste” of resources.
Until the Road Ends is the story of three animals that survive thanks to a combination of bravery and sheer good luck. It’s the story of an unlikely friendship featuring a strange and diverse range of characters, including a supercilious cat, a street-smart dog, an army-mad pigeon … and even a crocodile!
When Peggy saves and adopts Beau, a street dog, the strongest of bonds develops between them. And Beau is the first to recognise and treasure it, unlike Mabel, a cat who belongs to Peggy’s brother Wilf. But Peggy is soon sent away to the countryside for safety, and the animals are left behind. What follows is a story of courage and loyalty. Beau proves his worth by saving one human after another, sniffing them out even when they are buried in rubble. But when things go terribly wrong, he knows that the only thing he can do is go find Peggy, no matter where she is.
What I loved about Until the Road Ends is the way the characters are drawn. Each one emerges as a distinct, complex personality, fully rounded and completely believable.
A bittersweet story that makes the heart ache, this work of historical fiction brings a unique perspective to a familiar period. With snarky characters similar to Bob from The One and Only Bob and themes that Michael Morpurgo has explored extensively in his stories, I would recommend Until the Road Ends to late middle-grade readers who enjoy either or both!
| Title | Until the Road Ends |
| Author | Phil Earle |
| Tags | Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, World War II |
| Rating (out of 5) | 4 |
| Ages | 11+ |
Other books by Phil Earle that I’ve read and enjoyed:
After reading this review,
I suggested this book, another book ‘When The Sky Falls’ by the same author, and ‘Restart’ to Haasya, and asked her to choose one for her next read. She chose ‘When The Sky Falls’.
Your blog is helpful for both parents and children in selecting good books to read.
I’m glad to hear that! Always happy to learn that the books I read and review are reaching new readers.