The Sky Is Falling (1989 novel)

Infobox Book
name = The Sky is Falling
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Kit Pearson
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = Canada
language = English
series = The Guests of War Trilogy
subject =
genre = Young Adult Novel
publisher = Penguin Canada
release_date = 1989
media_type =
pages =
isbn =
preceded_by =
followed_by = Looking at the Moon

The Sky is Falling is a young adult novel written by Kit Pearson in 1989. It is the first novel in the Guests of War trilogy, which follows the lives of Norah and Gavin Stoakes after they are evacuated from England to Canada during WWII.

Plot Summary

Norah and Gavin Stoakes live in a peaceful English village until WWII causes them to be evacuated to Canada. Norah, an independent ten year old, is angry with the evacuation and resents having to care for Gavin. Five year old Gavin doesn’t understand the evacuation and is confused and frightened. When they arrive in Canada, Norah and Gavin are placed with the Florence Ogilvie, a bossy and cold widow and her timid spinster daughter, Mary. The Ogilvies only wanted Gavin but were convinced to take Norah as well. Norah is acutely aware of their preference toward Gavin, rather than her. While Gavin quickly settles into his new home where he is spoilt and coddled by Florence, Norah can’t settle. She dislikes Florence, is bored in her strict new home, is unpopular at her new school and constantly worries about what’s happening to her family in England. As weeks go by, Norah’s resentment of Florence increases. Although she begins to make new friends, her misery increases as she realizes she cannot return to England for much longer than she originally thought. After Florence and Norah have an arguement, Norah decides to run away and return to England on her own. She originally leaves without Gavin but decides she cannot leave him to be spoilt by Florence in a foreign country. She takes him with her but they only get as far as the train station before Norah realizes her plan is impossible. They return to the Ogilvies, expecting punishment but find that Florence and Mary have been very worried. Florence apologizes for ignoring Norah in the past months and asks if they can begin again. Norah accepts the offer and attempts to try live happily in Canada. Life begins to improve and Norah accepts Canada as her temporary home for the duration of the war.

Title Meaning

The Sky is Falling refers to a child's misinterpretation of the Blitz. Early in the novel, Norah and Gavin are listening to stories with other evacuees. After hearing the story of Henny Penny, who believed the sky was falling, a young evacuee said that was what was happening in England. The sky was falling to the ground, so that was why their parents were evacuating the children.