World War I Tales: The Pigeon Spy

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Stories of the First WorldWar from the bestselling Terry Deary, author of the hugely successful HorribleHistories. Flanders 1918. The extraordinary true story of a pigeon who savednearly 200 lives. A troop of Americans are trapped behind enemy lines. Not onlyare their German enemies firing at them but so are their own side. Somehow theyhave to get a message to their comrades. The only way is by pigeon. But everytime a pigeon rises in the air it is shot down. The last pigeon, a black birdcalled Cher Ami, flies with bullets zipping through the air all around him,covering 25 miles in just 65 minutes, helping to save the lives of the 194survivors. In his epic journey he is shot through the breast, blinded in oneeye, and left with a leg hanging only by a tendon. Army medics save his life.They can't save his leg, so they carve a small wooden one for him. When herecovers, the pigeon is put on a boat to the United States, a hero. Astonishingtrue tale of animals at war from master historical storyteller Terry Deary, for7+.

Reviews

These tales really bring alive the way ordinary people felt and reacted to the horrors of war and are an excellent way to help children understand what happened - as well as being a great read. * Parents in Touch *
Terry Deary retells this poignant, and true, story in a way which will help children of seven plus...understand something important about the war: even enemies are human beings. ...an excellent introduction for primary schools. * Historical Novel Society *
...another fascinating story from Deary's popular First World War series. ...An inspiring read for age nine and upwards. * Irish Examiner *

Author Bio

Terry Deary began his writing career with fiction for A&C Black. He is now author of over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, which have been published in 40 languages. His historical fiction for older children Tudor Terror has been praised as "a marvellous blend of fact and fiction" (School Librarian). His non-fiction has been consistently in the best-seller lists since 1994. His Horrible Histories celebrated their 15th anniversary in 2008, having sold over 25 million copies worldwide and been adapted as television series, theatre tours and museum exhibitions. Terry Deary was voted "Outstanding children's non-fiction author of the 20th Century" by Books for Keeps magazine.