Overview

'... a resounding success... McKay refuses to dumb down the history, writing with such clarity and understanding that you can't fail to be caught up in the cares of her loveable cast.' Alex O'Connell, The Times Book of the Week 'McKay is a glutinously atmospheric writer, and this dense, action-packed saga - written during lockdown - is every bit as satisfying as its predecessor.' Emily Bearn, The Telegraph 'Separately and together, The Skylarks' War and The Swallows' Flight are pinnacles of children's literature.' Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times Book of the Week 'Meticulously researched, intelligent, warm and witty - this is McKay at her peerless peak.' Sally Morris, The Daily Mail 'It's not necessary to have read The Skylarks' War (though many beloved characters make reappearances) to be instantly and joyfully lost in this evocative, moving novel, showing McKay at the very top of her game.' Imogen Russell-Williams, The Guardian 'Funny, poignant, wise and emotional. Full of achingly real characters (and also an excellent dog).....I eked out the final pages, not wanting it to end.' Fiona Noble, The Bookseller From the Costa Award-winning author Hilary McKay, comes a moving WWII story of family and friendship on opposite sides of a devastating conflict. The Swallows' Flight is the stunning companion novel to The Skylarks' War. Erik and Hans are German boys. Ruby and Kate are English girls. They grow up in worlds that would never meet, until war tumbles their lives together. Then one September afternoon there are choices to be made. How is courage lost, and found? Who is really the enemy? And what does friendship truly mean, in the middle of a war? Meanwhile Rupert and Clarry work secretly for peace - and a brighter future for them all . . .

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9781529033335

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Reviews

Hilary McKay is one of the great writers of children's fiction and this story of love and loss during the First World War is one of her best, told with unflinching wisdom -- <i>Independent, </i>on <i>The Skylarks' War</i> The kind of classic that rings with beauty and conviction and heart-stopping emotion -- Amanda Craig on <i>The Skylarks' War</i> This book belongs among the classic of children's literature . . . -- <i>Sunday Times </i>on <i>The Skylarks' War</i>

Hilary McKay's The Swallows' Flight is a triumph. The beautiful clarity of her storytelling is masterful and she deserves every prize going. I admire it very much -- Philip Pullman 'An incredible, clever, compassionate story from one of our very finest writers' -- Emma Carroll Hilary McKay has the ability to create characters so real that they live with you long after the last page, having made you laugh, cry - and love them. The Swallows' Flight is no exception; it soars like the swallows of the title as it leads its characters through the WW2 years, and ends with a glorious feeling of hope. -- Vivian French A wonderful story full of big, wonderful characters - more than a book about war - a story about our common humanity, which feels like both a hug and a fierce warning. -- Natasha Farrant on <i>The Swallows' Flight</i> Heaven -- Anna Fargher Characters are what Hilary McKay does best and, as always, she delivers in spades -- Mary Hoffman A novel possibly even better than its predecessor: funny, poignant, wise and emotional -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller * The sort of simple, humane storytelling we all need right now . . . a treat -- Sally Nicholls The Swallows' Flight is a complete delight . . . a generous, warm, honest, witty and wise novel. It's a gem -- Richard Lambert Warm and delicious and richly textured -- Katherine Rundell

Hilary McKay's The Swallows' Flight is a triumph. The beautiful clarity of her storytelling is masterful and she deserves every prize going. I admire it very much -- Philip Pullman 'An incredible, clever, compassionate story from one of our very finest writers' -- Emma Carroll Hilary McKay has the ability to create characters so real that they live with you long after the last page, having made you laugh, cry - and love them. The Swallows' Flight is no exception; it soars like the swallows of the title as it leads its characters through the WW2 years, and ends with a glorious feeling of hope. -- Vivian French A wonderful story full of big, wonderful characters - more than a book about war - a story about our common humanity, which feels like both a hug and a fierce warning. -- Natasha Farrant on <i>The Swallows' Flight</i> This book belongs among the classic of children's literature . . . -- <i>Sunday Times </i>on <i>The Skylarks' War</i> The kind of classic that rings with beauty and conviction and heart-stopping emotion -- Amanda Craig on <i>The Skylarks' War</i> Hilary McKay is one of the great writers of children's fiction and this story of love and loss during the First World War is one of her best, told with unflinching wisdom -- <i>Independent, </i>on <i>The Skylarks' War</i>

Hilary McKay's The Swallows' Flight is a triumph. The beautiful clarity of her storytelling is masterful and she deserves every prize going. I admire it very much -- Philip Pullman 'An incredible, clever, compassionate story from one of our very finest writers' -- Emma Carroll Hilary McKay has the ability to create characters so real that they live with you long after the last page, having made you laugh, cry - and love them. The Swallows' Flight is no exception; it soars like the swallows of the title as it leads its characters through the WW2 years, and ends with a glorious feeling of hope. -- Vivian French A wonderful story full of big, wonderful characters - more than a book about war - a story about our common humanity, which feels like both a hug and a fierce warning. -- Natasha Farrant on <i>The Swallows' Flight</i> Heaven -- Anna Fargher Characters are what Hilary McKay does best and, as always, she delivers in spades -- Mary Hoffman A novel possibly even better than its predecessor: funny, poignant, wise and emotional -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller * The sort of simple, humane storytelling we all need right now . . . a treat -- Sally Nicholls The Swallows' Flight is a complete delight . . . a generous, warm, honest, witty and wise novel. It's a gem -- Richard Lambert Warm and delicious and richly textured -- Katherine Rundell Hilary McKay writes characters so warm and real, you want to step into her books and be friends with them all. The Swallows' Flight is a heartbreakingly beautiful page-turner. * Lauren St John *

Author Information

Hilary McKay won the Costa Children's Book Award for The Skylarks' War, the Guardian Fiction Prize for The Exiles, and the Smarties and the Whitbread Award for The Exiles in Love and Saffy's Angel respectively. She is also the author of Straw Into Gold, A Time of Green Magic and The Swallows' Flight, a companion novel to The Skylarks' War, among many critically-acclaimed titles. Hilary studied Botany and Zoology at the University of St Andrews, and worked as a biochemist before the draw of the pen became too strong and she decided to become a full-time writer. Hilary lives in Derbyshire with her family

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