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The Mushroom in the Sky
In the 80th anniversary year, Jackie French explores the dropping of the bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, which ended World War 2.
1942.
Japan has bombed Sydney Harbour. Sixteen-year-old Ossie lies about his age to protect his country, even though it means abandoning his only family, a one-eyed dog named Lucky.
Kind-hearted Mrs Plum is already looking after forty-six dogs belonging to soldiers who've gone to war. She can't possibly care for another. But just when she's becoming desperate to find a way to feed them, help thirteen-year-old Kat Murphy volunteers to take Lucky and persuades the girls at school to help, too.
As Kat and Lucky grow closer, Kat realises he can still see Ossie, the master he loves. And somehow, Kat and Ossie catch glimpses into each other's lives, too. This extraordinary connection helps Ossie survive when he is taken as a prisoner of war to Japan. There, he witnesses a strange mushroom cloud rise above Nagasaki – the result of a bomb that will take, save and change lives, and forever leave the was it worth it?
Taken from first-hand Japanese accounts of that momentous but often misunderstood time, this is a story of quiet heroism and endurance in the face of an unimaginable horror that continues to resound to this day.
1942.
Japan has bombed Sydney Harbour. Sixteen-year-old Ossie lies about his age to protect his country, even though it means abandoning his only family, a one-eyed dog named Lucky.
Kind-hearted Mrs Plum is already looking after forty-six dogs belonging to soldiers who've gone to war. She can't possibly care for another. But just when she's becoming desperate to find a way to feed them, help thirteen-year-old Kat Murphy volunteers to take Lucky and persuades the girls at school to help, too.
As Kat and Lucky grow closer, Kat realises he can still see Ossie, the master he loves. And somehow, Kat and Ossie catch glimpses into each other's lives, too. This extraordinary connection helps Ossie survive when he is taken as a prisoner of war to Japan. There, he witnesses a strange mushroom cloud rise above Nagasaki – the result of a bomb that will take, save and change lives, and forever leave the was it worth it?
Taken from first-hand Japanese accounts of that momentous but often misunderstood time, this is a story of quiet heroism and endurance in the face of an unimaginable horror that continues to resound to this day.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2025
5 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Jackie French
320 books865 followersJackie is an award-winning writer, wombat negotiator and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2014-2015. She is regarded as one of Australia’s most popular children’s authors, and writes across all genres - from picture books, history, fantasy, ecology and sci-fi to her much loved historical fiction. In her capacity as Australian Children’s Laureate, ‘Share a Story’ will be the primary philosophy behind Jackie’s two-year term.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 8, 2025
Truly brilliant. Loved the two perspectives, the Australian and Japanese war history.
In the endnotes, Jackie French carefully explores how intense wartime propaganda in Japan created a culture where suicide was considered a more honourable alternative to surrender. In a comparison to the two devastating atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Ngasaki, she considers the alternative of nationwide mass suicide. The true horrors of war.
Although confronting, it opens our eyes to another history, and a lesson I don't see as being too disturbing for our students.
This would make an excellent book for Year 9 Readers Cup competitions.
In the endnotes, Jackie French carefully explores how intense wartime propaganda in Japan created a culture where suicide was considered a more honourable alternative to surrender. In a comparison to the two devastating atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Ngasaki, she considers the alternative of nationwide mass suicide. The true horrors of war.
Although confronting, it opens our eyes to another history, and a lesson I don't see as being too disturbing for our students.
This would make an excellent book for Year 9 Readers Cup competitions.
July 16, 2025
I always love Jackie’s fast paced and straight forward stories that, though simple to read, conjure brilliant pictures of what the characters are going through. I felt like I was watching Mrs Plumb and the girls on the farm with the dogs, sitting in Aunty Pat’s house and there with Ossie in the prison camp. While the humans in the story obviously take centre stage this is also a story of how the love for and of a pet means the absolute world to those lucky enough to have it. An incredible war story told with compassion and respect for everyone involved.
September 24, 2025
For a book I picked simply because it was available now at the library, I am smitten.
What a unique yet heartwarming approach to telling the story of the nuclear bombs in Japan. Now that's a sentence I didnt ever expect to say.
It is rare that an author is able to handle a dog main character with this much finesse and skill. And Lucky is the best of the best. I cried.
What a unique yet heartwarming approach to telling the story of the nuclear bombs in Japan. Now that's a sentence I didnt ever expect to say.
It is rare that an author is able to handle a dog main character with this much finesse and skill. And Lucky is the best of the best. I cried.
November 18, 2025
‘…the light, the world, changed in that instant…’
MGM Review #46 - The Mushroom in the Sky - @jackie_french_ - @harperkidsau
When you take the time to look at how many kids books Jackie French has written, it’s quite extraordinary. A career spanning 30+ years continues to deliver the goods & this one is no different.
It’s 1942, Japan has just bombed Sydney Harbour & young 16 year old, Ossie, wants to help his country. But he can’t leave his loyal dog, Lucky, all on his own. He asks Mrs Plum for help, but she is stretched already looking after 46 dogs of other soldiers. That’s when 13 year old Kat comes along, she offers to take Lucky & help Mrs Plum out with the other dogs. After Ossie heads off to war, Kat quickly learns of a special connection between Lucky and the soldier. They can still see each other and Kat catches glimpses of Lucky at war as well. Soon Kat herself grows close to Ossie and longs for his return home. But as Ossie finds himself in the hands of the Japanese and struggling in a prisoner camp, will he ever reunite with Lucky and Kat or will he find a greater purpose in the aftermath of an atomic bomb?
This was Jackie French at her finest. A bold yet brave story, one that required significant research and attention to detail, but one that needed to be written. It was a thought provoking and eye opening book. It didn’t seek to provide answers, instead a platform for thoughtful reflections and more questions. It’s a story of soldiers struggling at war and countries dealing with the aftermath of conflict, but also families and communities struggling back at home, waiting for loved ones to return. Jackie expertly provided viewpoints from multiple angles about the lasting impact of WW2 and the decisions that were made. These insights made it a powerful read. One that left me overwhelmingly grateful for this beautiful country we live in.
Thank you Jackie for writing this one.
#LoveOzMG #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks #bookstagram #kidsbooks #mgreads #middlegradefiction #readmoremiddlegrade #middlegradebookstagram #mgbooks #mgbookstagram #mgbookshelf #middlegradebookreview #middlegradelit
MGM Review #46 - The Mushroom in the Sky - @jackie_french_ - @harperkidsau
When you take the time to look at how many kids books Jackie French has written, it’s quite extraordinary. A career spanning 30+ years continues to deliver the goods & this one is no different.
It’s 1942, Japan has just bombed Sydney Harbour & young 16 year old, Ossie, wants to help his country. But he can’t leave his loyal dog, Lucky, all on his own. He asks Mrs Plum for help, but she is stretched already looking after 46 dogs of other soldiers. That’s when 13 year old Kat comes along, she offers to take Lucky & help Mrs Plum out with the other dogs. After Ossie heads off to war, Kat quickly learns of a special connection between Lucky and the soldier. They can still see each other and Kat catches glimpses of Lucky at war as well. Soon Kat herself grows close to Ossie and longs for his return home. But as Ossie finds himself in the hands of the Japanese and struggling in a prisoner camp, will he ever reunite with Lucky and Kat or will he find a greater purpose in the aftermath of an atomic bomb?
This was Jackie French at her finest. A bold yet brave story, one that required significant research and attention to detail, but one that needed to be written. It was a thought provoking and eye opening book. It didn’t seek to provide answers, instead a platform for thoughtful reflections and more questions. It’s a story of soldiers struggling at war and countries dealing with the aftermath of conflict, but also families and communities struggling back at home, waiting for loved ones to return. Jackie expertly provided viewpoints from multiple angles about the lasting impact of WW2 and the decisions that were made. These insights made it a powerful read. One that left me overwhelmingly grateful for this beautiful country we live in.
Thank you Jackie for writing this one.
#LoveOzMG #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks #bookstagram #kidsbooks #mgreads #middlegradefiction #readmoremiddlegrade #middlegradebookstagram #mgbooks #mgbookstagram #mgbookshelf #middlegradebookreview #middlegradelit
October 23, 2025
As soon as I finished this book I returned to the beginning and started again. Had I missed anything in the opening pages? Was it really a confusing first chapter?
Jackie French writes tight and accurately, and I found the book demanded my complete attention. I’m not Australian, I have little knowledge of the Japanese at war or of the Australian war effort in the country - a few gaps to fill. But the 46 dogs had me from the very start and I am so glad I persisted. This book is a magnificent accomplishment and I cannot believe I borrowed it from the Junior section of the public library, it carried the full weight of excellent historical fiction and challenged me at every chapter.
The characters, including the dogs, were revealed in action and conversation - no lengthy prose here. Insights to rural Australian landscapes pop up effortlessly. The structure of the story reflects the author’s immense experience. The inclusion of dates and real events required me to step up and apply all my reading skills.
It was an immensely satisfying read and I can’t thank Jackie French enough for writing this moving and balanced story that at the very least makes us reconsider the accuracy of war reporting. I’m still thinking it through and Yes, there are tears.
Jackie French writes tight and accurately, and I found the book demanded my complete attention. I’m not Australian, I have little knowledge of the Japanese at war or of the Australian war effort in the country - a few gaps to fill. But the 46 dogs had me from the very start and I am so glad I persisted. This book is a magnificent accomplishment and I cannot believe I borrowed it from the Junior section of the public library, it carried the full weight of excellent historical fiction and challenged me at every chapter.
The characters, including the dogs, were revealed in action and conversation - no lengthy prose here. Insights to rural Australian landscapes pop up effortlessly. The structure of the story reflects the author’s immense experience. The inclusion of dates and real events required me to step up and apply all my reading skills.
It was an immensely satisfying read and I can’t thank Jackie French enough for writing this moving and balanced story that at the very least makes us reconsider the accuracy of war reporting. I’m still thinking it through and Yes, there are tears.
August 11, 2025
This is the story of Ossie, who enlists as a soldier at the age of 16 to fight for Australia during WWII and 13 year old Kat who does her bit by helping Mrs Plm look after the dogs that soldiers leave behind. Kat gives Ossie's dog, Lucky a home with her aunt and Uncle and forms a beautiful bond with him. We hear Ossie's perspective as he becomes a POW in Japan and witnesses the atomic bombing of Nagaski and the aftermath. We hear Kat's perspective as she works hard to assist Mrs Plum and recruits help from far and wide, all the time writing to Ossie. Kat and Ossie are able to connect via Lucky through shared visions and emotions. I was initially a bit skeptical of this element but it enhanced the storytelling. This book gives an insight into the plight of POWs at the hands of cruel captors as well as the respect and kindness given to them by Japanese civilians. It shows the extremes that war causes, but never loses sight of the basic goodness of people. At only 218 pages, it is sure to appeal to the average young reader. I must also add that Jackie's notes at the back are worth reading.
July 9, 2025
This book is brutal and lovely. Jackie French has done a really good job of balancing telling all sides of the story, not shying away from the horrors of the war on all sides, and giving her young characters room to grow. I wish there has been more of Ossie's time helping in Nagasaki, as I appreciated seeing him come to understand what he could of the Japanese people, and the questions he was left with. Those questions are important, and kids need to know that even all these years later opinions are divided on how the war ended.
Perhaps most importantly: all of the dogs in the book were good dogs who deserved more pats.
Perhaps most importantly: all of the dogs in the book were good dogs who deserved more pats.
August 30, 2025
In WW2, 16yo Ossie lies about his age to enlist, but has to leave his dog Lucky behind.
Mrs Plum already has 46 dogs of soldiers to care for but 13yo Kat offers to take Lucky and help with the work.
Ossie's story and Kat's interconnect especially through Lucky and the book uses all points of view.
It was labelled 'Junior Fiction' at my library but is a challenging tale of a terrible time.
A well told story of the complexities of war, and the bombings of Japan. Recommended.
Mrs Plum already has 46 dogs of soldiers to care for but 13yo Kat offers to take Lucky and help with the work.
Ossie's story and Kat's interconnect especially through Lucky and the book uses all points of view.
It was labelled 'Junior Fiction' at my library but is a challenging tale of a terrible time.
A well told story of the complexities of war, and the bombings of Japan. Recommended.
September 24, 2025
Although this book was intended for young readers the concepts are most definitely adult, very adult. Some of the characters are fictional, however, based on real people or a composite thereof. I personally as young person would have found this very distressing although in the main the ending was ‘happy’. I will most certainly be reading other ‘young’ people’s books by this very talented Australian author.
December 10, 2025
A slightly different take on WWII and (obviously) the dropping of the bombs on Japan. Told from two viewpoints. One from Kat - an Australian focus on the people (and animals) left behind, what they heard/got told and how they navigated life. The other on Ossie who joins up but almost immediately is captured and spends years in Japanese POW camps, including being nearby Nagasaki when the second bomb dropped. It’s confronting and asks some very big and important moral questions.
December 15, 2025
Phenomenal.
Reminder this book is written to be suitable for a younger audience 12+.
it is not gory but it absolutely is emotional.
one thing I love about Jackie French Is the author note
I love her meticulous research and how she lays out what is fiction and what is story , what is true but changed for the narrative and what sources were instrumental in writing the book.
This book is an insightful novel presenting knowledge and human stories in tandem.
Reminder this book is written to be suitable for a younger audience 12+.
it is not gory but it absolutely is emotional.
one thing I love about Jackie French Is the author note
I love her meticulous research and how she lays out what is fiction and what is story , what is true but changed for the narrative and what sources were instrumental in writing the book.
This book is an insightful novel presenting knowledge and human stories in tandem.
December 26, 2025
I loved this book. I appreciate the thought and research Jackie puts into her novels. I was looking forward to reading the authors notes at the end and I wasn't disappointed.
Jackie writes with respect and kindness to history, her characters and her readers. Even though the subject matter is quite traumatic this book felt like coming home.
Thank you to Jackie for being the talented writer that you are. You are inspirational and you make me want to gave a go at developing the craft of writing.
Jackie writes with respect and kindness to history, her characters and her readers. Even though the subject matter is quite traumatic this book felt like coming home.
Thank you to Jackie for being the talented writer that you are. You are inspirational and you make me want to gave a go at developing the craft of writing.
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July 27, 2025Another impressively researched page-turner by Jackie French! The balance of Japanese and Australian war history is excellent with comprehensive and brave endnotes. I loved the backdrop of kindness and dogs in the story. The Mushroom in the Sky is a cracking read and a valuable resource for readers of all ages to consider some of the complexities of our war history,
October 25, 2025
Once again Jackie French does what she does best: explodes some of the myths we have been fed as truths about history. Although many of her books are written for children they are still entrancing for adults. She is a fascinating and brilliant writer.
October 25, 2025
An excellent exploration of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I enjoyed the interesting narrative connections between the two main characters. It perfectly did what French set out to do, explore the two sides of things. I enjoyed it a lot.
October 27, 2025
I'm a Jackie French fan from way back and I still feel the same today as I did back then. This was just the read I needed at the right time, including the absolute mess of tears that came along with it.
January 10, 2026
A beautifully crafted story, exploring the dropping of the bombs at Hiroshima and Ngagsaki in August 1945.
I loved the one-eyed dog Lucky, teenage volunteer Kat, and the generous Mrs Plum who looked after the many dogs belonging to men who had gone to war.
I loved the one-eyed dog Lucky, teenage volunteer Kat, and the generous Mrs Plum who looked after the many dogs belonging to men who had gone to war.
August 18, 2025
Another amazing book by Jackie
October 6, 2025
I loved this Book. Beautiful eye catching cover. It is for Juniors. However, I have a new Author to admire - Jackie French. Such a beautifully written book for all ages.
October 12, 2025
beautiful story, thoughtfully constructed and incredibly timely and remains relevant.
October 13, 2025
Another fantastic historical novel from Jackie French - good discussion for older kids
December 13, 2025
A solid read that looks at women’s work in war. An accessible book that I would recommend for Year 7s!
August 9, 2025
An amazing book I always love reading her books 😍😍😍
I’m always so excited to read her books they bring me joy and I think everyone should read her books 📚
You should definitely read all of her books!!!!🤩
I’m always so excited to read her books they bring me joy and I think everyone should read her books 📚
You should definitely read all of her books!!!!🤩
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews