Shrapnel Boys

Shrapnel Boys was a really fun read! I am always a fan of historical fiction in WW2, and this book certainly gave that! It was such a nice read! It’s about a boy called Ronnie, and it’s almost like a mystery book! It thrilled me to no end! I would recommend it to those who like historical fiction, like me! Five stars! ;D

Kayla

SCD Pageturners

Usually, I don’t care about war or fascism but this book felt different. Instead of brave men on the battlefield, it was the ordinary people that went into shenanigans of their own.

Zak

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Shrapnel Boys was incredibly heartwarming. The way the relationships between people, especially The Wreckers versus the Shrapnel Boys, were developed really did reflect real life and how some people that don't seem like they'd fit with you do and also vice versa. I completely understood Ronnie's frustration and definitely felt his emotions with him throughout the book. Four stars!

rida

HGS Book Club

This book was my absolute favorite and I really loved it. I loved the action, the drama, the rivalry, the friendship and just really everything. This book is great for people who love action mixed with history.It also shows the ways people can get mixed up into trouble and this book makes it even more interesting when Micky gets lured in by Johnny. I would definitely recommend this book and I am so happy that I finally found a book I will remember forever after some failed attempts of trying to find a good book. I rate this 10/10 and even more!

Marie

SHHS shadows

This book is really good - it focuses on WWII in London for once. I like it because usually WWII books with kids as the main characters are about their evacuation experiences. this book, on the other hand, talks about the life of a boy within London during the time of war. it must be pretty hard to be him because he thinks this guy is pretty sus but everyone else doesnt and kinda likes him. Ok long story short this book is great everyone read it!

Leah

Hasmonean Pages

This book has a fabulous setting, it is really interesting as the theme is familiar but Pearson takes a spin on it!! It makes you feel what the boys are going through and their feelings towards the war!

Arielle

Hasmonean Pages

Shrapnel boys is about two brothers ( Ronnie and Micky Smith ) and their friends and is set in WWII. One day, just before the war, a man called Johnny ( later shown as a fascist and a manipulator ) who wants the Germans to win the war. Johnny gains the trust of Micky and forces him to steal stuff when the air raid sirens sound later leading to a plot that could completely change the war. I really liked this book as it is set in WWII and is a great book. It also shows the other side of world WWII, showing instead of bravery cowardice and thievery.

Samuel H

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I think shrapnel boys is a great book - very disappointed it did not make the shortlist. I think this book was good because it was engaging, exciting, and had good morals, 10/10!

alfie c

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I thought Shrapnel Boys was a great book. I enjoyed how it explored life in WW2 and the love between families. I thought the storyline was brilliant as Ronnie finally proved who Johnny really was.

Rafferty T

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Shrapnel Boys is the Best Book I've read so far. It is very easy to get behind Ronnie's motivation and to really, really hate Johnny. You feel all the same emotions as the the protagonist, the plot is exciting and dramatic, and Mr. Etherington being a War Veteran is great. Tiger is the Best, I rate this book 9.6/10

Rahul

SCD Pageturners

It is a very good historical fiction book and I enjoyed reading it

netanel

Belsize Stories

Shrapnel boys is set just before World War 2 to the middle of the blitz. takes place in London while England is surrounded by Germany. Main character Ronnie is best friends with his brother Micky and his friends Lugs. There is a man called Johnny who Micky suspects that is a criminal. And Johnny has wormed his way into Ronnie's family and is doing someting secertive with Micky and Lugs and Ronnie are trying to uncover Johnny's secret. It is a good book, I do recommend it for 9-15 yr olds. I learnt about what London was like during the blitz

Yehuda

Belsize Stories

Shrapnel Boys is an amazing read that I enjoyed a lot, with its action-filled and tense story. The characters have good personalities and are quite funny at times, and the plot is very intriguing and tense. I would recommend this book to others for its tense story.

Elliot

Knox Readers

I read Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson. It was a story about 3 boys in WW2 and they have to hide in their bunker for the blitz by the Lufftwaffe (German Air Force). The 3 boys Micky, Ronnie and Lugs meet Johnny who is secretly part of the BUF (British Union of Fascists). They have to help the police stop Johnny. They are called the Shrapnel Boys because after the bombing finishes they run out to collect the biggest and best bits of Shrapnel (bits of metal from bombs). I would recommend this to people who like history and to teenagers because there are interesting bits of history.

Het

Xenial Readers of Rushey Mead 2026

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as the themes were very clear and had a good story a clearly highlighted the point it wanted to. It was written beautifully and it had me gripped after the first chapter. The importance a friendship and brother-ship was clear and I think that this book should of made the shortlist.

Henry D

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

It is impossible not to care about the characters! The story had me on the edge of my seat!

Isabelle

SCD Pageturners

This book was an amazing read as I loved looking at the story through Ron's point of view. The story portrayed a sense of Ron losing him to Johnny and essentially getting him back at the end which I personally liked as the relationship between both of them was an important part of the story. Favourite character for me was actually Ron because of his bravery and his love for his friends that the author showed really well in the way they had written it. Enjoyed this book a lot and an 8/10 for me.

Lakshake

HGS Book Club

The book is focused on a boy whose mum falls in love with a blackshirt (Nazi) but at the time she does not know what he is or what he stands for. The boy's father was abusive so he has a hunch about Johnny from the start, but doesn't manage to persuade anyone, only for his hunch to turn out to be right. I enjoyed this book.

George

Epsomians

In Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson the story follows Ronnie and Micky, two siblings who weren't evacuated during WW2. The writing is very descriptive and relatable which helps the reader understand the thoughts of the protagonist. One of the strongest aspects of the book is how Pearson shows that war isn't always fought for land and resources, but war can be personal and without planes and gunfire. However, I think that we should have the mother be slightly more suspicious about Johnny, as it seems that only Lugs and Ronnie realsie something is off. Overall, I think this book does deserve its place on the Carnegie longlist because it explores the theme of war in a literal and historical way as well as a social and personal way. I would rate it 9/10 and recommend it to teenagers who have an interest in WW2.

Noor

HGS Book Club

I have really enjoyed Shrapnel boys and it is probably my favourite book out of the five I have read because firstly, of the setting that adds a load of excitement and suspense with all the bombing. Secondly I like the main themes of collecting Shrapnel and protecting your family and friends no matter what the cost. Finally I also like the book because of the mischief and excitement of the main characters that always keeps you on your toes making you want to read more.

James

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Shrapnel boys is an amazing book set in 1939, WW2. A boy called Ronnie finds this war scary but exciting. He has a brother, Mickey; a mum, Cathy; a best friend, lugs; a friendly neighbour; Vera and an evil fascist man trying to wind his way into the family while also stealing his brother. All the while he was bullied up until they one competition of shrapnel collecting put an end to their feud. Personally, I loved this book, and I really felt the connections between the friendships and I really felt the anger and sympathy with Ronnie the entire journey. This book was a perfect contrast and balance between drama peace friendship and action. I did find the scene where Mickey rides a bike with a magnet a little unrealistic because I don’t think any magnet would be that powerful, but none the less still enjoyed the scene. I would recommend under a fire red sky if you enjoyed this book because they have a similar story and both are set in ww2 in parts.

Hal L

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

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