Usborne (9+) 9781805312963 (Paperback)
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Set in the Second World War, this tells the story of two brothers Ronnie and Micky who are not evacuated and shows the emotional impact that war on childhood. Set during the turbulent time of World War Two, there are numerous parallels with modern day concerns like radicalisation in this exciting yet poignant adventure novel. The landscape of war-torn London is convincing and highly memorable.
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Jenny Pearson, originally from Salisbury but now based in the North East, is a mum-of-two and a primary school teacher. In 2021, for The Incredible Record Smashers, Jenny and the children at the school where she teaches set a Guinness World Record for the biggest online reading relay! Jenny loves her job and is inspired by the children she has taught. She says, “If you’re writing for children, it helps to know what they like but also what they’re like. The characters I write are based on the many children I have taught over the years and the friendships I have witnessed.” A master in the craft of writing page-turning adventures, Jenny’s books are packed with humour and heart and have won critical acclaim from fellow authors – Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Hannah Gold, A.F. Steadman to name a few – as well as the national media. Jenny Pearson’s alter ego is Hartigan Browne, arguably Britain’s greatest detective, who pens the number one bestselling Cluedle series of fiendishly fun mystery puzzles.
Find out more at www.jennypearsonauthor.com or follow Jenny on social media @J_C_Pearson
Having recently finished Shrapnel Boys, I found myself immersed in a wonderful tale of friendship and brotherhood. But something is going on in London and it isn't slowing down. As the Nazis bomb London, two brothers ( Micky and Ronnie) challenge a rival gang to a shrapnel finding contest. It all goes wrong when Micky gets a wake up to the back of the head.
sam w
Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group
This book is set in 1939 during WW2. Its about a few boys that in the war collect pieces of Shrapnel. It was a competition to see who could get the best shrapnel piece. Throughout this time, Ronnie is worried about the war but still eager too. He did not know what war was but he knew that it meant change and fortunately for him, there would be change (but the war was unfortunate). There are battles everywhere in London but in other places too. In the end, there were some parts I liked about this story, like the fact that it was not a typical war story bit there was some excitement to it when they raced for getting the best shrapnel piece (which Ronnie won in the end). However, there was one moment in the book that was important, and that was when tiger died as that made Ronnie cry not only for Tiger but for Micky, his mum, Arthur, Graham and Harry. Not to forget, he also thought about the people who died in the war, his dad, himself, Mr Missel and Lugs. This part really touched me and I was able to understand the pain Robbie Smith felt too. This book was quite good but I understand why it’s on the longlist instead of the shortlist. This book is only for people liking the war environment and times. Honestly, this book doesn’t compete with a few of the other books I have read. For this reason, I rate this 6/10.
Ihsan K
Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group
The story focuses on the "home front," where children, including Ronnie and his best friend Lugs, compete to collect the best pieces of "shrapnel" (bomb fragments) after nightly air raids.When a manipulative man named Johnny Simmons charms his way into their home to build an Anderson shelter, Ronnie recognizes him as an untrustworthy person. Ronnie’s younger brother, Micky, is quickly swayed by Johnny’s promises of money and a bike, drawing him into dangerous, potentially traitorous "odd jobs". As London suffers under the Blitz, Ronnie is determined to protect Micky and expose Johnny, who is revealed to have ties to the British Union of Fascists. I like this book because it explores friendship and loyalty and portrays history through children.
Patrick J
Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group
I liked the character development and the storytelling/plot of the story. I didn't like the pacing.
Noah
HGCSC Library
Stealing Happy - Book Review I would highly recommend this title to anybody who has a deep sense of humour, who enjoys problem-solving, and for those who give adoration for drama. Sonny, the main character in this book has Tourette’s, which the author has done to add a sense of humour to the story amongst the hardest of times. His mother is in a bad state financially, and his father is suffering from the effects of COVID-19. This modernised novel shows that no matter if you are disabled, in this case with Tourette’s, anything is possible, even for the greater good. I would rate this a 4/5 on the Likert because this made me smile all the way from beginning to end. To the next person who reads this book after me, have fun!
Ben
The Next Chapter
I THOROUHLY ENJOYED READING THIS PURELY EXCEPTIONAL NOVEL BECAUSE OF SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS. ONE BEING THAT THE STORY BRINGS A DEEP FEELING OF UNCERTAINTY AND HUMAN SENSE. THE AUTHOR DISPLAYED THIS PERFECTLY THROUGH THE STRONG USE OF EMOTIVE LANGUAGE THROUGH CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BOOK WHICH TELL HARD TIMES WITHIN THE STORY AND THAT GIVEN THIS BOOK WAS SET IN THE DISTRESSING NATURE OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR AS WE KNOW IT, THE BOOK GIVES SOME UNDERSTANDING AND POSSIBLY SOME THOUGHT TO READERS ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE FORSAKEN CITIZENS OF GREAT BRITAIN IN ONE OF THE HARDEST TIMES SINCE THE GREAT WAR THAT OUR PREDECESSORS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND THAT THINGS WEREN’T AS EASY AND FREE AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. PERSONALLY, I LIKE THIS NOVEL BECAUSE I AM SORT OF WAR AND HISTORICAL PERSON, AS WELL AS NON-FICTION (DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BASELINE OOIF THE STORY IS), AND THIS VERY NEATLY FITS INTO MY PREFERENCES. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERSESTED INTO WAR NOVELS AND MYSTERY. I WOULD GIVE 5 STARS FOR THIS TITLE
Ben
The Next Chapter
An amazing perspective of WWII, a good way to shift the main issue and show issues of the time period other than the war.
Hollie
Rad readers
Very engaging and hard to put down. Finished very quickly, because I cared for the characters so much.
Elly
Rad readers