Shrapnel Boys

(Paperback)

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Description

An explosive new novel about the friendship and courage of a group of young boys living through the Second World War, from award-winning author Jenny Pearson.

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...

Reviews

Jenny Pearson puts her band of brave, spirited kids in the middle of their very own war. * Phil Earle, British Book Award-winning author *
Jenny Pearson must be the best children's author writing at the moment. SHRAPNEL BOYS is a pacy and compelling journey through the mess and fragility and love of what it means to be a human. All that, and she can make you laugh on every page. She's a genius. * Katya Balen, Carnegie Medal-winning author *
Full of whip-smart and emotive storytelling, brave characters & authentic voices, Jenny's first historical adventure is an absolute smash hit * Mel Taylor-Bessent *
Jenny Pearson's first venture into historical fiction is accomplished with seamless skill, and has all the relatable, warm storytelling we've come to expect. Rich in period detail, but never didactic, Shrapnel Boys is a triumph of a novel; one which deserves to join other classic World War II children's stories on our bookshelves. * Lesley Parr *
An expertly woven tale of brotherly bonds during a time of war. Despite its historical setting it feels current and timely! * Maisie Chan, award-winning author *
Shrapnel Boys skilfully combines an entertaining storyline and immediately likeable protagonists with historically accurate details, resulting in a gripping read. * The School Reading List *
Jenny Pearson wows us with her new tale of resilience and spirit as we follow brothers, Ronnie and Mickey, as they navigate a war that is close to home. * Maisie Chan, award-winning children's author *
An important and timely book. * Maisie Chan, award-winning children's author *
Led by authentic characters with the author's trademark spark, this is a funny, heartwarming story with an additional layer of dilemma and emotional depth. It will challenge readers to think about everyone's role in the Second World War and how it affected ordinary people in extraordinary ways. * Kate Heap, Scope for Imagination *
A truly outstanding book which manages to weave so many themes into its pages. It deals with issues around family, friendship, bravery and loss coupled with providing insight and historical facts about an important time in British history. * Books for Topics *

Author Bio

Jenny Pearson is an award-winning author, teacher and mother of two young boys. Her books have been translated into 21 languages, and she has been shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Week Junior Book Award and was the winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Award. As a primary school teacher, Jenny regularly covers the Second World War in her classroom and was inspired to write Shrapnel Boys by the extraordinary resilience of Londoners living through the war.