If you’re looking for a way to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, may I recommend the really quite extraordinary ‘Shrapnel Boys.’

“There’s a war going on out there, and I’m missing it.

When war comes to London in 1939, Ronnie Smith is scared and excited: scared of the bombs that fall at night, but excited to race his friends to collect the best bits of shrapnel every morning. 

But for Ronnie, the battles aren’t just in the sky and on the streets. They’re at school and at home too. His little brother is up to no good with a secret job and dangerous new friends, and Ronnie’s worried he’s getting himself into big trouble. 

Ronnie’s desperate to help his little brother. But he isn’t expecting to uncover secrets that could change the fate of the whole war…”

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I have been a fan of Jenny’s writing since the very beginning – her blend of humour, cracking storylines and emotional depth make for a knockout combination. When you pair that with one of my very favourite genres of historical fiction – dynamite!

Shrapnel Boys has absolutely everything you could possibly want from a novel set during the Blitz – adventure and hijinks paired with real danger and menace.

What was particularly interesting was the exploration of the rise of fascism in England at that time. That’s not a theme I’ve seen explored in a middle grade title before. Looking at how easily some of the key characters in the story started to become radicalised by the group may encourage readers to reflect on how similar things are still happening today.

I would absolutely recommend this book for anyone aged 9+

Jo.

*Many thanks to Usborne Books for sending me this title to review*