Sometimes we must do things we don’t want to, even if they frighten us.
Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon from a long line of champions. Every morning he wakes in his comfortable loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best seeds and spends the day training with his best friend to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain.
But there’s a war going on, and things are changing. Then one day the King himself comes to the loft and chooses Blue for a very special assignment.
As Blue goes on missions, helping with rescues, carrying secret messages and facing dangers he never could have imagined, one thing will become clear: never underestimate a pigeon.
Beverley McWilliams is a South Australian-based author of picture books and children’s fiction. McWilliams has such a talent for giving voice to the undersung animals whose inputs have shaped human history but whose stories we rarely hear. She’s carved out a brilliant niche in telling the stories of animals in war.
McWilliams’ first middle-grade book, The Reindeer and the Submarine, told the story of a remarkable reindeer’s journey during World War II. It immediately captured the imaginations of young readers. Adopting an animal protagonist’s POV is an ingenious strategy for making learning about historic events exciting for kids while also inspiring a deeper respect and understanding for the starring animals.
Spies in the Sky is another moving and eye-opening tale based on a true story, this time focussing on the brave pigeons tasked with carrying messages during World War II. The story is told directly from Royal Blue’s perspective, immersing readers in his experience and inspiring deep empathy for the bird. McWilliams clearly has a sincere love for her subject, and it’s brilliantly contagious in this compassionate tale. You can’t help but come away with a heightened respect for and understanding of pigeons and the enormous sacrifices they have made to aid humans in need.
Alongside inspiring a deep respect for pigeons, Spies in the Sky is a fantastic story about courage and determination. In following Blue’s journey from living a comfortable, sheltered life to facing up to the most difficult of challenges, readers will be inspired by his impressive display of bravery and resilience. His story proves that, with enough grit, anyone is capable of stepping up to the plate, no matter who they are.
Curious kids – and teachers working the novel into their social studies curriculum – will appreciate the informative segment that McWilliams includes at the back of the book. It gives further insight into the National Pigeon Service and the real-life birds who served during the war, along with a glossary of terms that younger readers might not be familiar with.
Spies in the Sky is an intriguing and inspiring read for lovers of history, animals and adventure, aged 8+.
Leave a Reply