The Sky is FallingBy Kit Pearson
1989
248 pages
Guests of War Trilogy
“Norah was told to dress warmly, not to pick up Canadian slang, and to remember she was English.”
Summary: During the Second World War, many parents in England feared for the safety of their children and sent them overseas to live in Canada. Norah was always glad that her parents had never considered something so foolish. She liked being near the action, doing her part by spying for enemy aircraft. However, as the fighting starts to get closer Norah is sent to Canada with her brother, far away from the war and from everything she knows and loves. What will Norah think of Canada, and will her and her brother be able to settle into their new home?
Review: Kit Pearson writes a beautiful story about a very compelling young girl as she makes her way from England to Canada and reflects on the process and our strange customs. The book was incredibly well written, generating a reading experience somewhat similar to reading Anne of Green Gables. I loved the Canadian setting considered from an outsider’s view (Norah, not Kit who is in fact Canadian), and enjoyed the historical elements. The book does have a slow moving plot, but is moved forward by such an interesting main character. She is very real and any middle school girl would be able to identify with her. A great story for a younger crowd, although it does contain many elements to be enjoyed by YA.
Also by Kit Pearson: Awake and Dreaming, Handful of Time, Perfect Gentle Knight
If you liked The Sky is Falling you might also enjoy: Emily of New Moon by L. M. Montgomery, Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry and When the Whistle Blows by Fran Cannon, Slayton
Additional Info: there are two more books in the series, Looking at the Moon and The Lights Go On Again. It has won the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year for Children Award and the Geoffery Bilson Award for Historical Fiction.
Non-Fiction Connection: Churchill’s Children: The Evacuee Experience in Wartime Britain by John Welshman
Author website: http://www.kitpearson.com/
Rating: W4/4 C3.5/4 P3.5/4 O4/4 PP2.5/4 CR3/4
Grade Level: MJ
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2 comments:
I love Kit Pearson! I've read the Guests of War trilogy, plus Awake and Dreaming and A Handful of Time, both of which are really good. I've got A Perfect Gentle Knight on my wish list, too.
Thanks for reviewing this book! I love to see these sometimes-overlooked books get the attention they deserve.
This is a great review. I will have to check this book out for my middle grade students.
I love Canada and LOVE Anne of Green Gables so I am super excited about the setting.
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