This book (and the two sequels that make up Kit Pearson’s Guests of War Trilogy) are a combination of historical artifact and YA entertainment. The three books follow the adventures of a group of children who were evacuated from Britain during WW2 and billeted with families in Canada. The books offer what is probably a quite realistic account of that era, as seen from the perspective of an English girl who is about 10 years old at the outset. All three of the books are sure to have been very appealing to children in that age group; at least, I’m sure they were popular twenty or thirty years ago.
But there’s a problem: The style of writing and the mannerisms of the characters are quaintly dated and unlikely to hold the attention of any juvenile audience of today. Pearson has done an admirable job of it but making the experiences of children in a former time period relevant to youth of today is a challenging task. I will look for an opportunity to place the books before a sampling of pre-teens to see how they respond; I’m not optimistic.

This is my favourite series!!!! It's amazing!!!

I LOVE this book!
If you like this book, read the other books in this series (looking at the moon, and When the lights go on again). Also read Kit Pearson’s other books.

One of my favourite Canadian books is ‘Sky is Falling’ by Kit Pearson. Having my schooling years in East Africa and UK, I had not read many Canadian Children’s authors. I read Sky is Falling a couple of years ago when it was one of the Reading Link Challenge Titles and fell in love with it. Although it’s set during the 2nd world war, the themes of loneliness, fitting in and learning a new culture when moving to a new place are still relevant today; especially in Surrey with many newcomer families, e.g. the young Syrian refugees. This book actually made me cry - it has beautiful depiction of Canada and a hopeful message.
- Surinder, Chief Librarian

The sky is falling is my favourite book of all times and I recommend it to ages 8 and above. It's summer of 1940 and World War 2 happening. Norah a ten year old girl and her younger brother Gavin (5 years old) have to leave England for their safety. Norah has a lot of responsibilities as her parents are not coming with them to Canada. At first they were terrified of being in a new place, but they absolutely loved the big rooms in the Ogilvie house and meeting new friends. At the end I was surprised that Norah and Gavin didn't get reunited with their parents because I'm used to reading books that have a happy ended. I definitely recommend reading this book.

Norah and her brother are sent to Canada to be safe as bombs continue to fall in Second World War England. Adjusting to her new home and school in Toronto proves difficult, but Norah slowly begins to feel at home. This is the first book in the Guests of War trilogy.

This book has World War 2 as a background setting for a brother and sister who have to leave England for their safety. Norah, a ten year-old girl, feels responsible for her little brother, Gavin (age 5) as their parents don't come with them to Canada. I really enjoyed the events, such as the children travelling by train, Norah and Gavin trying to run away from the rich woman and how they solve the big fire. This happened when they were celebrating Guy Fox Day. At first, they are scared of being in a new place, but they like their big rooms in the Ogilvie house and meeting new friends such as Paige and Bernard, whom they call Albert because he is German. I was disappointed at the end that the don't get reunited with their parents. I hope there is a sequel. I think this book was really well-written. By Rebecca

best book i n the history of best books deserves to win a prize for something. it sucks you in for hours and when it ends you"ll always want more!

i love the whole series

I originally read this book in eighth grade and LOVED IT!

Now 3 years later I'm back to read it again!