Author(s): Beverley McWilliams

Childrens Intermediate

From the writer of The Reindeer and the Submarine comes a tale of courage and hope, inspired by the true lives of the brave pigeons who helped win the war -Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon of impeccable pedigree. His father was a racing champion, and Blue can't wait to follow in his impressive footsteps. Every morning he wakes up in his comfortable box in the beautiful loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best of seeds, and spends the day training with his friends to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain. But the landscape beneath him as he flies is beginning to change- the lovely gardens are being dug up, ugly vegetables are replacing the beautiful flowers, and large trucks are driving up and down the roads. Until one day the King himself comes to visit the loft, choosing Blue personally for a very special assignment.Blue finds himself on the coast of Englad, far away from his comfortable home, the newest member of the Royal Pigeon Service, a group of pigeons that don't appreciate his refined manners and requests for better food. Racing soon falls away, as Blue takes on new responsibilities, helping with rescues, carrying secrets, and facing dangers he could never have imagined. As he and his new friends face the dark days of war, one thing will become clear- courage and friendship can be found in the unlikeliest of places. For readers of Katrina Nannestad and Bren MacDibble comes an uplifting adventure story about how even the smallest of us can make a big difference.