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Spies in the Sky
Winner, ARA Historical Novel Prize
Shortlisted, Readings Prize
Longlisted, Book Links Award for Historical Fiction
Sometimes we must do things we don't want to, even if they frighten us.
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.
Shortlisted, Readings Prize
Longlisted, Book Links Award for Historical Fiction
Sometimes we must do things we don't want to, even if they frighten us.
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.
- GenresWarHistorical
240 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2023
4 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2024
Excellent!
So well researched!
For students Year 4 and above.
Highly recommend.
So well researched!
For students Year 4 and above.
Highly recommend.
January 17, 2024
Spies in the Sky is an enjoyable, meticulously researched, historical fiction middle-grade novel. It is the story of Royal Blue, one of King George’s pigeons, who was donated to the National Pigeon Service in England during World War 2. While the story is fictional (because no one interviewed the pigeon at the time, or asked him how he felt!) it is based on real animals and real people, in real settings. Most importantly, the story is told from Blue’s point of view. Beverley McWilliams says she loves pigeons, and you can tell. She captures the pigeon's perspective so well.
McWilliams has also created distinct personalities for the 5 pigeons characters: Royal Blue and his friends Khan, Mary, Commando and Billy. The parts of the story where the pigeons talk to each other were my favourite. They were the funniest, but also quite touching.
As well as humour, this book is full of action and suspense. Will Blue make it through each mission unharmed? Will Commando and Billy and Mary? It had me on the edge of my seat.
I highly recommend this book for children aged 7 to 12, as well as for adults who love animal stories.
McWilliams has also created distinct personalities for the 5 pigeons characters: Royal Blue and his friends Khan, Mary, Commando and Billy. The parts of the story where the pigeons talk to each other were my favourite. They were the funniest, but also quite touching.
As well as humour, this book is full of action and suspense. Will Blue make it through each mission unharmed? Will Commando and Billy and Mary? It had me on the edge of my seat.
I highly recommend this book for children aged 7 to 12, as well as for adults who love animal stories.
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January 18, 2024I love anthropomorphism and I love historical fiction, so this was a winner for me! Each pigeon's personality is well-crafted, so the characters come to life and feel like friends. The story is exciting and well-researched :-)
June 6, 2025
Utterly delightful. A WW2 story told from the perspective of pigeons.
May 25, 2024
A well researched and inspiring story based on real life hero pigeons. Loved the historical details at the end.
July 4, 2025
If you know by, you know I love a good WW2 book! This book was really good. The reason I read it is because I AM IN READER'S CUP FINAL!!! I'm representing my school and the bayside district with my teammates! We got 1st in bayside, so now that is why we're heading to the FINALS! Anyways, enough yapping about Reader's cup. In this book, Blue goes through changes, from the Royal Blue, in his cozy loft at Sandringham House, to Bluey, a war pigeon, trying to survive the crashes of a plane.
These are the differences.
Royal Blue
Royal Blue, living at Sandringham, is very prestigious, racing pigeon. His best friend is Khan, a loyal feathered companion. Khan is a grizzle breed, and his dappled appearance made him look like he'd been sprinkled with salt and pepper. Being a elegant blue bar pigeon with shiny silver-grey feathers and a distinguished black stripe, Blue is used to honours given to him. Everyday he trains, wanting to be his father, winning the first Nationals he had ever done! He is descended from the first British royal pigeons given to King Edward VII by King Leopold II of Belgium.
Bluey
His descendence is the same, his breed is the same, but lots of other things are different. Blue has adopted the name 'Bluey' from Jack. He lives in a loft that's cramped and in need of a clean. A row of cubby-hole boxes ran across one side, each hosting two or three pigeons. It's a lot different to the fancy loft back at his old home. His squadron is 206, along with Billy, Mary and Commando. Commando is a red chequered bird. Mary is a black velvet pigeon with a white beak and dark eyes. She had tufts of white feathers around her neck and a crest at the back of her head. As she bobbed, her feathers shimmered violet, plum and peacock green, like the inside of a beautiful seashell. Billy is a small blue pigeon with white wings and dark eyes.
Bluey first meets Commando at the loft, and challenges him to a race in pursuit of honour. All the pigeons were mocking him, and he met Mary by this. Mary defended Bluey. Billy was later on, during feeding time. Even though Commando and Bluey got off to a rocky start, they ended up being friends!
This book explores themes of friendship, survival and war.
Never Underestimate a Pigeon.
These are the differences.
Royal Blue
Royal Blue, living at Sandringham, is very prestigious, racing pigeon. His best friend is Khan, a loyal feathered companion. Khan is a grizzle breed, and his dappled appearance made him look like he'd been sprinkled with salt and pepper. Being a elegant blue bar pigeon with shiny silver-grey feathers and a distinguished black stripe, Blue is used to honours given to him. Everyday he trains, wanting to be his father, winning the first Nationals he had ever done! He is descended from the first British royal pigeons given to King Edward VII by King Leopold II of Belgium.
Bluey
His descendence is the same, his breed is the same, but lots of other things are different. Blue has adopted the name 'Bluey' from Jack. He lives in a loft that's cramped and in need of a clean. A row of cubby-hole boxes ran across one side, each hosting two or three pigeons. It's a lot different to the fancy loft back at his old home. His squadron is 206, along with Billy, Mary and Commando. Commando is a red chequered bird. Mary is a black velvet pigeon with a white beak and dark eyes. She had tufts of white feathers around her neck and a crest at the back of her head. As she bobbed, her feathers shimmered violet, plum and peacock green, like the inside of a beautiful seashell. Billy is a small blue pigeon with white wings and dark eyes.
Bluey first meets Commando at the loft, and challenges him to a race in pursuit of honour. All the pigeons were mocking him, and he met Mary by this. Mary defended Bluey. Billy was later on, during feeding time. Even though Commando and Bluey got off to a rocky start, they ended up being friends!
This book explores themes of friendship, survival and war.
Never Underestimate a Pigeon.
October 22, 2023
This book took a few chapters to get into, but overall I really liked it. The personalities and actions of the birds were fictional, of course, but also within the realm of being realistic.
There are quite a few similarities in the 'feel' of the story to those by Phil Earle. I especially liked the occasional illustrations, and the factual information and photos at the end. It's so important for children to learn about history, and this is a form that is engaging and educational.
I recommend this to upper primary students, especially around ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day.
There are quite a few similarities in the 'feel' of the story to those by Phil Earle. I especially liked the occasional illustrations, and the factual information and photos at the end. It's so important for children to learn about history, and this is a form that is engaging and educational.
I recommend this to upper primary students, especially around ANZAC Day or Remembrance Day.
November 1, 2023
Royal Blue is a racing pigeon with an impressive pedigree, and he’s not shy in sharing it with everyone. He is from a long line of racing pigeons belonging to Royalty, and is now one of a flock of birds owned by King George.
When he unexpectedly gets to meet the King one day, Blue is overjoyed, preening and plumping up his feathers to look his best. The king admires Blue’s strong body and sleek plumage, saying he is perfect as he holds Blue in his hands. Afterwards, Blue’s head is full of thoughts of a special pigeon race the king must want to enter him in, but Blue’s friend Kahn isn’t so sure.
Things are changing around them. Talk of a coming war is backed up by rolls of barbed wire stretching across their beach, sirens going off all the time and the king’s Sandringham beautiful flower gardens are being dug up to grow vegetables!
Kahn was right. Blue isn’t in line for a race. He is to be signed up for military service as a messenger pigeon. Not wanting to admit it – he’s scared for the first time in his life. His new home is at a airforce base, and the sound of the planes roaring around him frighten him further. The self imposed leader of their flock wants to knock the hoity toity ways out of Royal Blue – calling him Bluey instead. Luckily, two other pigeons are kinder to Blue as he learns his new job.
Being thrown out of a plane is terrifying, but he uses his excellent navigational skills to get back to base. Then it’s an official mission for Blue, which goes much worse than anticipated. Blue sheds his fear and his skills shine through.
Becoming an actual military spy was never on Blue’s radar, but soon he is thrown out of another plane into occupied France under a parachute. Will he be handed into enemy hands, onto the French Resistance, or eaten by a starving family?
This is a fascinating story about brave pigeons risking their lives in duty to their country. King George and Princess Elizabeth also have small roles in this story set during World War II.
It’s a story of courage, friendship, growing up, responsibility and is based on three real military pigeons who received actual medals for bravery after saving many lives – even while wounded themselves.
The afterword on these birds is full of amazing facts. 1000’s of pigeons were part of the war effort, these birds being the most awarded of 53 animals to receive the Dickin Medal. Learn more about this at the end of this wonderful story.
A sprinkling of illustrations are throughout the novel, sharing Royal Blue’s story.
A engaging read full of action, heart, loyalty and character growth, all while learning about these brave birds who are much aligned today.
When he unexpectedly gets to meet the King one day, Blue is overjoyed, preening and plumping up his feathers to look his best. The king admires Blue’s strong body and sleek plumage, saying he is perfect as he holds Blue in his hands. Afterwards, Blue’s head is full of thoughts of a special pigeon race the king must want to enter him in, but Blue’s friend Kahn isn’t so sure.
Things are changing around them. Talk of a coming war is backed up by rolls of barbed wire stretching across their beach, sirens going off all the time and the king’s Sandringham beautiful flower gardens are being dug up to grow vegetables!
Kahn was right. Blue isn’t in line for a race. He is to be signed up for military service as a messenger pigeon. Not wanting to admit it – he’s scared for the first time in his life. His new home is at a airforce base, and the sound of the planes roaring around him frighten him further. The self imposed leader of their flock wants to knock the hoity toity ways out of Royal Blue – calling him Bluey instead. Luckily, two other pigeons are kinder to Blue as he learns his new job.
Being thrown out of a plane is terrifying, but he uses his excellent navigational skills to get back to base. Then it’s an official mission for Blue, which goes much worse than anticipated. Blue sheds his fear and his skills shine through.
Becoming an actual military spy was never on Blue’s radar, but soon he is thrown out of another plane into occupied France under a parachute. Will he be handed into enemy hands, onto the French Resistance, or eaten by a starving family?
This is a fascinating story about brave pigeons risking their lives in duty to their country. King George and Princess Elizabeth also have small roles in this story set during World War II.
It’s a story of courage, friendship, growing up, responsibility and is based on three real military pigeons who received actual medals for bravery after saving many lives – even while wounded themselves.
The afterword on these birds is full of amazing facts. 1000’s of pigeons were part of the war effort, these birds being the most awarded of 53 animals to receive the Dickin Medal. Learn more about this at the end of this wonderful story.
A sprinkling of illustrations are throughout the novel, sharing Royal Blue’s story.
A engaging read full of action, heart, loyalty and character growth, all while learning about these brave birds who are much aligned today.
February 29, 2024
Very good for kids around grade 5-7.
November 6, 2024
Edge-of-your-seat wartime adventure based on the true story of pigeons who served and became heroes. Told from a pigeon's point of view.
June 8, 2025
An exceptional book!!. The story is so well written and I really love the characters. I highly recommend this book.
October 30, 2025
Such a good book! Couldn’t stop reading🤣
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews