Moral Courage
Shrapnel Boys by Jenny Pearson is a powerful, children’s historical novel that entertained me from the start.
The action is set in London from 1939 and seen from the point of view of a young boy called Ronnie. It is told in the first person and therefore we get to know Ronnie intimately. He is extremely likable, always trying to do the right thing.
We follow Ronnie and his younger brother Mickey and best friend Lugs as they try to navigate life, family and war.
The war was a mixture of excitement and being scared after the Phony War of 1939. “Life in London didn’t change much in those first few weeks… War, it seemed, had forgotten to show up.” Once World War II begins in earnest, there is more than just bombs to navigate as an opportunist turns up, turning Mickey’s head.
We witness those who profit in war, thinking nothing of preying on the misery of others.
Jenny Pearson has shown the danger of the banned group The Blackshirts, whose ideology lined up with Hitler.
As we follow Lugs, we see his fears as a Jewish boy in London. His father is a pacifist but still conscripted into the war as a stretcher bearer. “It was courageous to march onto a battlefield with a gun in your hands, but treading the ground without one… was even braver.” As Ronnie declares “to me, Lug’s Dad was a hero.” The reader can only echo that statement.
We see that people are more than the persona they present on the outside. Inside they may be quite different – as revealed by head teacher Mr Etherington.
Despite the themes of World War II, the Blitz and the Fifth Columnists, the book is highly amusing and had me chuckling at times. “Animals love me”… “What about the time you were bitten on your bum by your neighbour’s dog… Or when you were attacked by that duck down by the river… And then there was that time you got knocked out by that police horse.”
I enjoyed the camaraderie between the boys and loved the loyalty of Ronnie to those he loved.
Shrapnel Boys is perfect for ages eight years and over. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will leave you with one final thought:
“Guess sometimes you have to do what’s right. Even if it scares you.”
JULIA WILSON
