By Jenny Pearson (author)
"Friends and brothers face home grown dangers in WWII London."
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May 2025 Book of the Month
While this extraordinary historical novel is a new departure for this best-selling author, it retains her trademark skill in delivering empathetic, nuanced characters and capturing authentic dialogue and childhood relationships.
Perfectly published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 , this gripping story is about the lives of a group of young boys living in London at the start of the war. 12 year old Ronnie, his younger brother Micky and his best friend Lugs are the self-styled Shrapnel Boys, full of banter and bravado, especially with their rival gang, the Wreckers. Initially, the prospect of war is incredibly thrilling with spotting planes overhead and collecting the fascinating ‘hard rain’, the pieces of shrapnel littering the ground, and having a bomb site for a den.
The reality of the danger all around them doesn’t really sink in at first and for Ronnie when it does, it is not just the danger overhead, but the danger threatening his family, in the shape of Johnny Simmons, that matters. Johhny came to install their Andersen shelter and wheedled his way into the affections of Ronnie’s single parent Mum and of Micky, who is lured into running suspicious errands. Ronnie and Lugs are convinced that Johnny is a Bad ‘un but are shocked to discover his potentially traitorous links with the Mosley Blackshirts, particularly because Lugs is Jewish. Can they expose Johhny and the plot before it is too late?
What makes this novel so outstanding is not just the depth of research behind it and the authentic view it gives of the Home Front and the terror of the Blitz. Nor is it just the challenging themes which it articulates so well: domestic violence, bullying, crime, fascism, pacifism, coercion and toxic relationships. It is also the way it portrays such a beautifully positive view of boys friendship and the unbreakable bonds of brotherly love.
With extremism rearing its ugly head again, it tells a story very relevant to today and shows us the importance of moral integrity and doing the right thing. Perhaps even more remarkably there is still the pure gold streak of Jenny Pearson humour running through it all. Truly outstanding,
An explosive new novel that illuminates the realities of the Second World War for a new generation, from award-winning author Jenny Pearson.
Read the full description
There's a war going on out there, and I'm missing it.
For Ronnie Smith in 1939, life is full of battles. On the streets, in the sky, at school, at home. When war comes to London, death falls from the sky at night, and he and his friends collect bits of bombs on their way to school in the mornings. But as war starts to feel normal, his little brother starts acting strangely with new friends and a secret job, and Ronnie worries he's getting mixed up with some bad people.
Ronnie can't stop the bombs, but he can try to help his brother by exposing his new gang. But Ronnie isn't expecting to uncover secrets that could change the fate of the whole war...
Publishing to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, this is the perfect read to bring history to life for today's young readers.
Jenny Pearson 's debut children’s novel, The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates , won the Lollies 2022 and was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book of the Year 2020, Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Bradford Boase and the UKLA Book awards.
When she’s not writing, Jenny enjoys inspiring young writers in her classroom and looking after her family and their many animals.
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 many children I have taught over the years and the friendships I have witnessed."
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An explosive new novel that illuminates the realities of the Second World War for a new generation, from award-winning author Jenny Pearson. There's a war going on out there, and I'm missing it.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Shrapnel Boys and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Shrapnel Boys features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Historical Fiction, History, Warfare & Battles, c 1938 to c 1946 (World War Two period), Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, c 1940 to c 1949, Early 20th century c 1900 to c 1950, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, c 1500 onwards to present day, Time period qualifiers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. Not Available.
Shrapnel Boys was written by Jenny Pearson and published by Usborne Publishing Ltd
Shrapnel Boys has 368 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. Not Available.
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