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Vendor
Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
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THE EMERGENCY ZOO

Miriam Halahmy

What happened to the animals before and during the war is glossed over. This book fills perfectly a gap in children's war literature and it's a subtle fable about asylum seekers.
It is late August 1939: Britain is on the brink of war, and preparations are under way to evacuate London’s children to the countryside. When twelve-year-old Tilly and her best friend Rosy find out that they will not be able to take their beloved dog and cat with them – and that, even worse, their pets will, along with countless other animals, be taken to the vet to be put down – they decide to take action. The two girls come up with the idea of hiding them in a derelict hut in the woods and, when other children find out and start bringing their rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, their secret den turns into an emergency zoo.
Inspired by real events during the Second World War, Miriam Halahmy’s novel is a touching tale of courage, resourcefulness and camaraderie in desperate times, as well as a stirring defence of animal welfare.

Miriam Halahmy is an author and a poet. She has published four novels and three collections of poetry, as well as short stories and education resources. Her YA novel, Hidden, was a Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. It has recently been staged in a small Paris theatre.
Available products
Book

Published 2016-05-26 by Alma Books - London (UK)

Book

Published 2016-05-26 by Alma Books - London (UK)

Comments

A winning formula of war, animals and friendship.

The Emergency Zoo: The cats and dogs of war Read more...

A tautly written and compelling novel, it is a stirring defence of animal welfare.

This is a sympathetic and moving story of a side of war that doesn’t receive much attention and fills a gap in children’s war literature.

TV Rights sold to Red Planet Pictures

A classic den-in-the-woods adventure for age nine to 12 and a subtle fable about asylum-seekers.

It's a story that needed to be told – what happened to animals before and during the war is glossed over. By telling the story in such a compassionate manner, from the viewpoint of children, the author has enlightened us and given us a new understanding.

Inspired by real events during the Second World War, this is a touching tale of courage, resourcefulness and camaraderie in desperate times.

Korea: HansolSooBook Publishing Co. ; Turkey: Can Yayinlari ; Italy: Einaudi Ragazzi

This book is sure to be enjoyed by animal-lovers, history enthusiasts and fans of children outsmarting the grown-ups.

Miriam Halahmy has written a warm and touching story of friendship, courage and loyalty. A lovely and moving book.

A tremendous book for a gentle exploration of one small facet of the Second World War.