The Edge of the Cloud facts for kids
Front cover of first edition
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| Author | K. M. Peyton |
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| Illustrator | Victor Ambrus |
| Cover artist | Victor Ambrus |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | Flambards |
| Genre | Children's realistic novel, historical novel |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
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Publication date
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January 1969 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback) |
| Pages | 166 pp (first edition) |
| OCLC | 477505761 |
| LC Class | PZ7.P4483 Ed |
| Preceded by | Flambards |
| Followed by | Flambards in Summer |
The Edge of the Cloud is an exciting historical novel by K. M. Peyton. It was published in 1969. This book is the second part of the "Flambards" series. The story is set in England just before World War I. It continues the adventures of Christina Parsons and Will Russell. The title hints at Will's love for early airplanes.
Contents
About "The Edge of the Cloud"
This book is part of the original "Flambards" trilogy. K. M. Peyton wrote these three books between 1967 and 1969. Victor Ambrus created the pictures for them. Later, Peyton wrote more books in the series.
What the Story is About
This book follows Christina Parsons and Will Russell. They have run away together. Christina stays with her Aunt Grace in London. Will finds work as a mechanic. He later becomes an instructor at a flying school. Christina gets a job at a hotel nearby. This helps her stay close to Will.
During the story, two important people pass away. One death makes Will very sad. The other does not affect him much. Will and Christina become good friends with Sandy. Sandy is another flying instructor. They also befriend Dorothy, Sandy's girlfriend. Dorothy is the daughter of Christina's boss.
Will gives special flying shows to earn more money. He also designs and builds his own airplane. Mark, another character, joins the army. By the end of the book, Will becomes famous. He is known as a stunt pilot. He considers joining the army too. This worries Christina, especially as their wedding day is near.
Awards the Book Won
K. M. Peyton won two important awards for this book. She received the annual Carnegie Medal in 1969. This award is given by the Library Association in the UK. It celebrates the best children's book by a British writer each year.
Peyton also won the 1970 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. A group of British children's writers chooses this award. Usually, it honors one book from the past year. But in 1970, the award was given to the entire "Flambards" series. This was because the series was completed in 1969.
How the Book Was Published
The first American version of "The Edge of the Cloud" came out in 1969. It was published by World Publishing Company in New York. This edition also included Victor Ambrus's original pictures.
The "Flambards" book series was later made into a TV show. It was a 13-part television series in 1979. The show was called Flambards. Christine McKenna played Christina Parsons. After the TV show, K. M. Peyton wrote more stories. These new stories changed some parts of the original plot.
