By Steve Cole (author) , Leo Trinidad (illustrator)
"Super-readable, super-powerful story specially written to be accessible to all readers."
Paperback In Stock £6.99 £6.29
View All Editions (1)
September 2026 Book of the Month / Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 6
Award-winning author Steve Cole delivers a super-readable, super-powerful story of life during wartime and in less than 32 pages.
Specially written to catch the attention of both confident teen readers and those who find reading more challenging, it is set in Ukraine and narrated by young Danylo who lives on a farm with his mum; Dad is away fighting in the army.
Danylo and his mum prepare for an attack, building a shelter to keep them safe. When a missile does strike however, the outcome is truly shocking.
Delivered in short, punchy sentences and accessible language, not a word is superfluous and their story hits home with extraordinary force, demonstrating the courage and resilience of those who have to live under the constant threat of attack.
Barrington Stoke have blazed a trail for years in creating books with high interest levels and low reading levels, written by the country’s top authors, and it’s worth checking out their entire catalogue.
Award-winning author Steve Cole delivers a poignant quick-read for struggling teen readers, expertly capturing resilience and hope amidst the devastating impact of war.
Read the full description
Award-winning author Steve Cole delivers a poignant quick-read for struggling teen readers, expertly capturing resilience and hope amidst the devastating impact of war .
Danylo watches fearfully as war edges ever closer to his peaceful life on a Ukrainian farm. To prepare for the worst, he and his mother build a shelter for protection.
But when the missiles eventually drop, they're unprepared for the devastating impact and must cling to all they have left in order to survive.
• Specially designed and edited to a reading age of 6, this title is aimed at seriously struggling and reluctant teen readers, and is also ideal for EAL learners, filling a crucial gap for engaging, age-appropriate titles
• Driven by a short, sharp plot, the accessible language is ideal for building confidence in independent reading and perfectly tailored for readers aged 11+
• Featuring striking black-and-white illustrations from Leo Trinidad throughout the work to capture attention, break up the text and aid comprehension
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 6
Steve Cole was our Guest Editor in November 2011. Click here to find out more and see some of his favourite books.
Steve Cole is a hugely successful British children's author with sales of over 3 million copies. Formerly a children's book editor at various publishing houses, his Astrosaurs series launched his writing career. His work since has spanned many genres, from science fiction and adventure (including Doctor Who and Young Bond titles) to 'cli-fi' , comedy and graphic novels. Known for his lively school visits and infectious enthusiasm for storytelling, Steve has inspired thousands of young readers. In his spare time, he sings and plays bass with his band Faces Fall, teaches salsa dancing and homes rescue animals. He lives in Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire. To see more author information click here .
You can see more Steve videos on his YouTube channel - click here .
Award-winning author Steve Cole delivers a poignant quick-read for struggling teen readers, expertly capturing resilience and hope amidst the devastating impact of war. Danylo watches fearfully as war edges ever closer to his peaceful life on a Ukrainian farm.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Shelter and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-12 years old
Shelter features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Stories about Family and Friends, Thrillers, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Interest age 11+, Dyslexia Friendly Books for Teens, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Military and war fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £6.29, down from the £6.99 cover price. In Stock.
Shelter was written by Steve Cole and published by Barrington Stoke an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Shelter has 24 pages
£6.29, reduced from £6.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.