Until the road ends by Phil Earle

Phil Earle, author of While the Storm Rages and When the Sky Falls, has written a third novel based on events that took place during World War Two. While it is a fiction story, it is based on true events that happened during the most difficult of times. Beau, a stray dog surviving on the streets of London, is rescued from near-death by Peggy Alford who takes him home and begs her family to let her keep him. This is the beginning of a long and loving relationship for Peggy and Beau, but not all the family is happy about Beau’s arrival. Peggy’s brother Wilf and in particular his pampered rescue cat Mabel go out of their way to make Beau feel unwelcome.  Fortunately Peggy’s love and her parents' realisation that Beau is no trouble allow Beau to find his own place in the family.

During this time the British Government instructed families in to put down their pets or send them to the country. The Alford family refused to comply and after Peggy and Wilf were evacuated, Beau joined Mr Alford in his rounds as an ARP warden. He soon becomes renowned for his ability to smell those trapped in rubble from bombings and becomes a celebrity. Sadly Beau’s life changes dramatically one evening and he and Mabel are left without the adult Alfords. With knowledge and support from ‘Bomber’ a homing pigeon, grudging and cantankerous companionship from Mabel, Beau sets out to find Peggy and Wilf. The three animal friends embark on a long and dangerous journey by train and on foot where they fight off rats, engage with a ferocious crocodile, are attacked by fox hounds and witness an horrific battle in the skies with devastating consequences.

This is a fabulous read where the author has cleverly interwoven historical facts with an engaging story and endearing animal and human characters. There are elements of terrible sadness and loss but also humour and great resilience. This would be a wonderful class novel for middle to upper primary school students.

Kathryn Beilby