Until the Road Ends

Published on 29 August 2024 at 14:48

Until the Road Ends

by Phil Earle

★★★★★

Review

This is a book of hope, love and unwavering loyalty between a young girl and her dog. I found this book on Amazon's pre-order list, and had no hesitations in committing to it after just reading the blurb. Despite never having read a Phil Earle book before, I had high hopes for this book from the moment I picked it up, and it did not disappoint!

As an animal lover, I adored how Phil presents Beau's thoughts alongside Peggy's and allows us to understand each of the animals and their very different personalities. Despite being propped against the backdrop of WW2, Beau and Mabel's love-hate relationship brings an element of humour and hope that softens the harsh realities of war. I soon came to love both of these characters, and found myself rooting for their safe return from very early in the book.

Although the storyline contains some heartbreak, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope throughout the story, and needed to find out what happened to Peggy, Wilf and their beloved pets. I give praise to Phil Earle for this, writing in a way that allowed me to develop a connection to and genuine care for the characters in the story within the first few chapters!

I have recommended this book to many of my pupils who have loved the story just as much as me. It is a brilliant, eye-opening story that really highlights the importance of love and family in challenging times.

Dive Deeper

Key information

Author: Phil Earle

Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole

Release Date: 1st June 2023

Book type: Chapter, 288 pages, paperback

Reader level: Confident reader (8+) / Shared read (7+)

Overview

Until the Road Ends follows the heart wrenching journey of a young girl Peggy and her beloved dog, Beau, who become separated by the start of the second World War. Before the war began, Peggy had rescued Beau from a life on the streets of London and brought him into her home where he lived alongside her parents, brother and their grumpy cat, Mabel. Despite her innocent face, Mabel makes it clear from the start that Beau is not welcome in the Alford's home and that she has every intention on getting him thrown back out onto the streets.

As the impending attacks continue to loom over London, it is time for Peggy and her brother, Wilf, to be evacuated to their aunt's in the countryside. However, it appears to be the end of the road for Mabel and Beau as Aunt Edith cannot allow the animals to be evacuated, while London's wardens are preparing to have the city's pets killed before the start of the war. Unsurprisingly, this news proves enough for Beau and Mabel to put their differences aside in order to be reunited with their best friends. There's only one tiny problem... they have no idea where in the world they are.

Spoiler Alert and Content Warning

Shortly after their evacuation to the countryside, Peggy and Wilf's parents die during an air-strike and they are left orphaned hundreds of miles away from home.