UPCOMING RELEASE: Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson

 

Link to publisher

Publisher: Usborne, May 2025

In three words: WWII, brothers, crime

Jenny Pearson is already one of our favourite middle-grade authors. With titles such as The Incredible Record Smashers and The Boy Who Made Monsters, she has the incredible talent of being able to navigate challenging topics such as grief and depression with genuine warmth and humour. Her novella, Bertie and the Alien Chicken, for Barrington Stoke - a publisher well known for producing short, dylexia-friendly texts - remains one of the most extraordinary and insightful texts I've ever read. 

Shrapnel Boys is equally extraordinary. Although different to Jenny Pearson's usual genre, this historical tale had me gripped right from the get-go and is perfect for fans of Lesley Parr and Phil Earle. The story centres around two brothers, Ronnie and Micky, who live in London and who are not evacuated at the start of WWII. With London crumbling around them, thanks to night after night of deadly air-raids, Ronnie finds himself fighting his own battle...for his beloved brother. 

Plotted to perfection and superbly researched, this novel is not for the faint-hearted. With challenging themes of fascism, coercion, toxic relationships, crime and bullying, it's a text that might be best suited to shared reading that allows for discussion of such issues. Yet, although it is not a 'funny' story by any means, Jenny Pearson finds ways to inject her trademark lightness and humour. I especially loved Ronnie and Micky's next door neighbour, Vera Green, and the well-written Harry.  As a result, this is novel I am bursting to share with my 9 year old son, precisely because it explores such crucially important issues as well as depicting the vivid reality of life in London during the war through a child's eyes. Before reading, I had no idea about the dangers of shrapnel and 'hard rain'.

To summarise, this is a book I will be recommending and talking about for a long time. There have been a wealth of WWII stories written of late but each are beautifully written and a rich resource for the classroom, as well as bookshelves in the library or at home. It has cemented my view that Jenny Pearson is an exceptionally talented and diverse writer. This is powerful stuff!

Other WWII recommendations

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr (focus on evacuation)

While The Storm Rages, When The Sky Falls and Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle (focus on animals during the war).

Digging For Victory by Cathy Faulkner (an exceptional verse novel which focuses on the secret attempts to deceive German bombers).

What we've been reading...

Hello! We've had a really busy start to 2025 but we just wanted to stop and do a round-up of all the brilliant books we've been reading recently. Plus, I'm happy to announce the publication of my own debut chapter book, Unicorns in Unicorns, Dragon Inferno which was released on 6th February and is illustrated by Steve Wood and published by UCLan:

The publication of my own chapter book about emergency service unicorns is a dream come true!

Over the festive period and the very wet month of January, we have enjoyed a range of picture books, chapter books and middle-grade novels. There's even a YA novel which I just have to mention. So without further ado, here is what we have been particularly enjoying:

Picture Books

The Really Beautiful Thing by Frances Tosdevin and Ali Pye,

published by Anderson Press

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This is the perfect picture book to tackle our 'I want' culture. We want something...usually until we've got it. Frances Tosdevin sums this message up neatly in a poignant but humorous story which shows rather than tells. There's no preaching and patronising  - just a beautifully written story that highlights the trappings of material things. Frances Tosdevin adds a subtle layer of humour by taking the plot to the extreme but it highlights the point perfectly. Squirrel is a great character with a lovely group of friends and it is a great text to prompt a discussion, especially if used in conjunction with Sneaky Beak by Tracey Corderoy.

The Great Unicorn Rescue by Diane Ewen, published by MacMillan

Diane Ewen's author/illustrator picture book debut is an absolute treat. Just look at those beautiful illustrations and the gorgeous colour palette! Every page turn just brings more and more delight but the story is beautiful too - a gentle narrative which centres around themes of bravery, friendship and growing independence. This will particularly appeal to young readers who love unicorns and magic and yet it is very relatable to a child's own experience of nursery or school and the importance they may place on a favourite toy. Gorgeousness personified!

Chapter Books

Marty Moose: First Class Mischief by Claire Powell, published by Walker Books

link to publisher

This chapter book is, again, just charm personified. It has a perfect main character plus a simple but brilliant set-up and structure which centres around the concept of a brand new postal mouse. There's tons of humour mixed with just the right dose of peril and the illustrations are just gorgeous. I loved everything from the arguing toads to Marty's hilarious rabbit friend to the bamboozling mystery which ends with a brilliant twist. I can't fault it! Bring on book 2!

Young Middle-Grade

Libby and the Egyptian Escapade by Jo Clarke, illustrated by Becka Moore and published by Firefly Press (Book Four)

Link to publisher

Both myself and my 11 year old have loved this series and this is the perfect ending to the travelling school mysteries. Death on the Nile for kids, it has a fabulously atmospheric (and educational) setting with lots of drama and well-plotted twists and turns. The text is engaging and accessible and the characters are really well drawn and completely loveable. I love how they all have distinct personalities and the relationships between the pupils are very relatable. Jo Clarke keeps readers guessing until the end with numerous suspects and I loved the facts that were woven in about Egypt - the author had clearly done lots of research and knew the setting inside out. We're really sorry that this is the end but the conclusion was both heartwarming and satisfying.

Middle-Grade

Magicalia: by Jennifer Bell, published by Walker Books

Link to publisher

I loved the first book in this series and book two is even better. As a reader, I was more familiar this time round with the set-up and the world and so there was more focus on the plot rather than the rules of the magic. This is high-end fantasy penned by an author who knows every last detail of the world she has created. It has a wealth of detail, a fast-paced, twisty plot, loads of red herrings and high suspense.

 The stars of the show, of course, are the magical creatures that Bitsy and her friends learn to conjure in a race against time against Riddlejax, a villain that oozes danger and venom. This is a MG book for competent readers who want to travel across a parallel world and be immersed in magic and imagination.

*Jennifer Bell's series The Uncommoners blew me away and is well worth looking up.

Young Adult

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson, published by HarperCollins

I don't often review YA books on the blog but this is a fabulous novel which had me gripped from the very first page. S. F Williamson's debut is richly written and celebrates the power and beauty of languages. The set-up is clever, with parallels to WWII, and has layers of complexity. I loved that the main character was both flawed and challenged and taken on a powerful internal journey. The world was gritty and the dragons were just magnificient. Unique in concept, this is a fabulous YA read with exceptional world-building and real, 3D characters. The messages and themes regarding political propaganda, oppression and the danger of human ambition were clear to see.