Phil Earle
Phil Earle was born and raised in the great city of Hull. His first job was as a care worker in a children's home, which inspired him to train as a drama therapist. After a couple of years in the care sector, Phil chose the more sedate lifestyle of a bookseller and now spends his time writing children's books as well as selling them for a publisher. Phil lives on a hill in south-east London with his family, and writes on the bus to work. No one has used this as an excuse to pinch his laptop. Yet.
Books
Albert and the Garden of Doom
Author: Phile Earle
Illustrator: Jamie Littler
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 5-8
Reading age: 6+
Albie loves playing football in his garden. The problem is, he's always kicking the ball over the fence to the spooky, weed-infested Garden of Doom next door.
Being Billy
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Penguin Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 11+
Billy is angry with the whole world and with himself. But when it looks like his younger brother and sister may be taken from him, what is left of his world begins to fall apart.
Elsie and the Magic Biscuit Tin
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Jamie Littler
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books (Early Reader)
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+
Elsie's funny adventure is illustrated colourfully and with lots of expression by Jamie Littler, providing a warm cautionary tale for younger children.
Heroic
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Penguin Books
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 13+
Brothers Jammy and Sonny see their lives changed forever when Jammy joins the army and is sent to Afghanistan.
Mind the Gap
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 12+
When Mikey's unreliable, mysterious and more than slightly dodgy dad Vinny dies, Mikey seems to lose himself and spirals into a self-destructive spiral of despair - and his best friend loses Mikey.
Saving Daisy
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Penguin Books
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 13+
Daisy's mum is gone. Her dad refuses to talk about it. As far as Daisy's concerned, it's all her fault.
Superhero Street
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Orion Children’s Books
Interest age: 7-12
Reading age: 7+
Superhero Street is a heartwarming and laugh-out-loud read that celebrates mums as the everyday superheroes they are. Sara Ogilvie's illustrations add an even more warm, hilarious background to Earle's realistic family.
The Bubble Wrap Boy
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Penguin
Charlie goes in search of something he is good at, that will make him feel better after being picked on at school. When he discovers skateboarding his whole life changes, but can he persuade his overprotective Mum to let him develop his talent?
The War Next Door
Author: Phil Earle Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
Interest age: 8-11
Reading age: 8+
The War Next Door turns its focus to Masher, the bully of Storey Street. Part of the Storey Street series, Phil Earle's book has all the usual wit, pace, fun and silliness - but also gives a nicely rounded perspective on bullies.
While the Storm Rages
Author: Phil Earle
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+
Inspired by true events, this poignant tale of children determined to protect animals during World War II is a joy to read.