Description

By (author) Halahmy Miriam

Short /annotation:
Inspired by real events during the Second World War, Miriam Halahmy”s novel is a touching tale of courage, resourcefulness and camaraderie in desperate times, as well as a stirring defence of animal welfare.

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It is late August 1939: Britain is on the brink of war, and preparations are under way to evacuate London’s children to the countryside. When twelve-year-old Tilly and her best friend Rosy find out that they will not be able to take their beloved dog and cat with them – and that, even worse, their pets will, along with countless other animals, be taken to the vet to be put down – they decide to take action. The two girls come up with the idea of hiding them in a derelict hut in the woods and, when other children find out and start bringing their rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, their secret den turns into an emergency zoo.Inspired by real events during the Second World War, Miriam Halahmy’s novel is a touching tale of courage, resourcefulness and camaraderie in desperate times, as well as a stirring defence of animal welfare.

Review quote:
A tremendous book for a gentle exploration of one small facet of the Second World War.

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Miriam Halahmy has written a warm and touching story of friendship, courage and loyalty. A lovely and moving book. Highly recommended for 10+.

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Inspired by real events during the Second World War, this is a touching tale of courage, resourcefulness and camaraderie in desperate times.

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This is a sympathetic and moving story of a side of war that doesn’t receive much attention and fills a gap in children’s war literature.

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This book is sure to be enjoyed by animal-lovers, history enthusiasts and fans of children outsmarting the grown-ups.

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A classic den-in-the-woods adventure for age nine to 12 and a subtle fable about asylum seekers

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A tautly written and compelling novel, it is a stirring defence of animal welfare

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It”s a story that needed to be told – what happened to animals before and during the war is glossed over. By telling the story in such a compassionate manner, from the viewpoint of children, the author has enlightened us and given us a new understanding

Review quote:
A winning formula of war, animals and friendship

Biographical note:
Miriam Halahmy is an author and a poet. She has published four novels and three collections of poetry, as well as short stories and education resources. Her Y.A. novel, HIDDEN, was a Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. It has recently been staged in a small Paris theatre.

Promotional headline:
What happened to the animals before and during the war is glossed over. This book fills perfectly a gap in children”s war literature and it”s a subtle fable about asylum seekers.

Feature:
An untold story of WW2 : over three quarters of a million domestic pets were put down in Britain.

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Follows the success of similar titles like An Elephant in the Garden by Michael Morpurgo

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Ideal reading for all primary schools

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Written by the author of Hidden, nominated for the Carnegie Medal