WW2, talking animals, evacuation, rescue mission, friendship
Until the Road Ends
by Phil Earle
Key information
Author: Phil Earle
Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole
Release Date: 1st June 2023
Book type: Chapter, 288 pages, paperback
Star rating: ★★★★★
Reader level: Confident reader/ Shared read (8+)
Age: Year 4+
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.
After Peggy's departure, Beau spends weeks working alongside Mr Alford, where he uses his excellent senses to track and rescue people who have gone missing in the aftermath of Germany's airstrikes. Beau becomes somewhat of a local hero and is finally recognised for his loyalty to London, however disaster is never too far away. After a particularly devastating attack, Beau discovers that Peggy's parents are trapped underground, with time to rescue them quickly slipping away.
When it feels that all hope is lost, Beau turns his efforts to tracking down Peggy and Wilf but there's just one problem: he has no idea where in the world they are. For the first time ever, Beau and Mabel put their differences aside and begin their journey across the world in order to be reunited with their best friends. The journey is far from straight forward and they face a number of challenges along the way, but they refuse to give up hope in returning to their family.
Key concepts/themes
- WW2
- Evacuation
- Animals
- Friendship
- Loyalty
- Reality of War
Considerations
- Death
- War
- Loss of parents
Curriculum links
-
History: WW2
-
Class Read: Year 4+
Additional teaching opportunities
1. Writing
- Character description
- Setting description
- Historical fiction
- Newspaper article (air strikes)
- Persuasive letter (to Aunt asking to take Beau and Mabel)
- Discussion text (was it fair to kill the pets?)
2. RSHE
- Debate (moral stance on killing pets at the start of the war)
3. Art
- Animal portraits
- War landscapes/cityscapes
- Circus posters
Vocabulary
This book has plenty of powerful vocabulary:
| Tier 2 | Tier 3 (WW2) |
|---|---|
| galvanising, disobedient, pleadingly, lurk, territorial, extraordinary, compassion, rogue | Hitler, warden, evacuate, blackout, air raid, Churchill, Ministry of Defence |
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