Spies in the Skies by Beverley McWilliams
About Beverley McWilliams
Beverley McWilliams loves sharing history with young children. In August 2019, she published her debut picture book Born to Fly, which received a notable commendation from the CBCA.
Beverley’s writing has also been published online and in magazines, and she is a regular contributor to The School Magazine, Australia’s longest-running literary publication for children.
Beverley is the event coordinator for the Society Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI SA) and a member of the Australian Society Authors. She lives by the beach in beautiful South Australia with her family and menagerie of pets who provide endless inspiration.
Quote from Beverley
‘I feel so privileged to be the recipient of the ARA Historical Novel Prize. Historical fiction makes history accessible and engaging for young readers, providing them with a doorway into the past. It is wonderful to see historical fiction being celebrated, and I am thrilled that Spies in the Sky has been recognised for this prestigious award.’
About Spies in the Skies
Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon from a long line of champions. Every morning he wakes in his comfortable loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best seeds and spends the day training with his best friend to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain.
But there’s a war going on, and things are changing. Then one day the King himself comes to the loft and chooses Blue for a very special assignment.
As Blue goes on missions, helping with rescues, carrying secret messages and facing dangers he never could have imagined, one thing will become clear: never underestimate a pigeon.
From the Judging Panel
The judging panel for the CYA Category were Anna Ciddor (Chair), Danielle Clode and Lystra Rose.
According to Chair, Anna Ciddor, she and fellow judges, Lystra Rose and Danielle Clode, had no trouble agreeing on the winning title, despite the tough competition. Spies in the Sky by Beverley McWilliams offers everything they could wish for a children’s historical novel. The gripping story arc carries readers through to a satisfying and uplifting ending, and the historical content, based on in-depth research into pigeons used as spies in World War II, is a crucial part of both the plot and the setting, creating a seamless immersive experience. Although Beverley McWilliams tells the story from the pigeons’ point of view, she has made the clever decision not to restrict herself to realistic pigeon behaviour. Instead, her anthropomorphic approach allows the book to explore important themes for children such as friendship issues, learning how to be a team player, courage and empathy. A thought-provoking, enjoyable and uplifting historical novel, exactly right for this age group.
