*Shortlisted

Review by William, St Mary’s RC High School 
The history of the time the book is set in, was interesting as it was set in the second world war which provided new challenges for the characters. My favourite character was Lugs as he had a funny nickname instead of using his real name Billy. 

I didn’t have a character that I disliked, although some of the teachers at the school where the book is set didn’t seem massively important to the story. They didn’t play a big part in the plot. 

I didn’t learn that much about the second world war from the book except for what a shrapnel boy was and the dangers they faced like dangerous gangs and policemen. I learnt a new word from the book though, the word being ‘shrapnel’ which means small pieces of discarded bomb often sent flying through the air after an explosion. 

I found the plot of the story exciting because there was a lot of suspenseful moments in the book, and mystery but also with some humour. 

There was nothing I particularly disliked about the book, the thing that stood out to me the most was the time it was based in. 

Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I would suggest it to other people, especially if they already have an interest in books set in the second world war era. 

Review by Clara, St Albans High School for Girls 
I love Shrapnel Boys because it is a book that lets you learn about the Second World War and what it would be like to live in that time period. The main character is Ronnie Smith, and the character trait that I love most is how all the cheeky things he did at the start really changed throughout the book and in the middle of the book he kept secrets from his mother for a good reason and that takes courage. Ronnie’s brother is getting up to something suspicious that is where Ronnie’s challenges begin. Ronnie lives in London and London was very heavily bombed in the War. I think the author (Jenny Pearson) did an amazing job of the book because the language that she used is like how they would speak, which makes the book that much better. At some points of the book you gasp because it is so heartbreaking but at other times you think I want to read as you do not know what is going to happen next. I would recommend this book for ten and above because this book has quite big themes but other than that it is the best book about World War Two. 

Review by Elizabeth, Sandymoor Ormiston Academy
The book was set in WW2, which was interesting as this was the side of the war that I hadn’t learnt in depth. I would definitely recommend this book to other history lovers, like me, but mainly I would recommend it to people really invested in WW2. I liked how it was a serious topic about what happens to everyday people in war but still shows familial bonds of family members in war. I also liked the word ‘jam roly-poly’ as it sounds delicious and I need to try it! I didn’t like the character of Johnny as he was evil and stole from people’s homes during the Blitz and he forced children to do it for him as he was part of a gang. I also leant about the British Fascist Movement form the book, which I didn’t know anything about, and it made me realise how easy hate can spread. It made me think about the world today. Overall Shrapnel Boys was an amazing book from the plot, characters and the history behind it all.