A great book for enthusiastic young readers, fast-moving and relatable. I can picture many, many youngsters battling to get their hands on a copy of this.

'Under a Fire-Red Sky' is a gripping work of historical fiction for young readers (probably aged 11 upwards) following the adventures of four teenagers in London during the Blitz. Each has a different reason for choosing to stay put rather than being evacuated, but all in some way become connected with firefighting or firewatching as the city around them burns - Gemmy raids bombed out houses but ends up saving others; Franklin is desperate to be taken on as a firefighter; Olive wants to be close to her firefighter father; and Lawrence volunteers as a firewatcher while working on his secret 'Project'.

Based on the author's father's experiences as a firefighter, this is a meticulously researched novel which will teach every reader something new about life during the Blitz, and it features some stunning descriptions. It is quite a demanding read at times but will be popular with those who have enjoyed other WW2 stories. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

I loved reading this book. With it being set just up the road from where I have previously lived, and in the same borough that I teach in, I found it really interesting. I never knew that Invicta School (one that I have been to for training courses many a time) was turned into a fire station and then subsequently bombed. I think that the closeness to our school's location will make this book an even better read for my children.

The characters were likeable and realistic and the settings and events were described really well. Perfect for the middle grade readers the book is aimed at.

There are a lot of children's books set in the time of the Second World War and this one is one of my two favourites of all time. It is well-written with a lot of writing techniques thrown in in such a way that it does not sound pretentious. The writing brings the war scene back to life, It is not one of those that are sugar-coated or abridged to suit the more tender stomach of youngsters. I love this one absolutely. Could not praise it enough.

Set during the Blitz in London, this book followers four teenagers who become friends. All from differing backgrounds, they form an unlikely group but through their experiences of the war, they bond and grow as individuals.
This is a beautifully written story. It provides an honest and no holds barred account of the horrors of war, especially on the lives of civilians. The four main characters are well-defined and diverse and inspiring. There is a lot of raw emotion in this book. Highly recommended.

A raw and honest account of the war, it shed light on the darkest of days through the stories of four young people as we spend the wartime years with them.

It was a heavy read and honest in its retellings of the darkest side of war. From bombings, thievery, death, uncertainty and fear. I got invested in their stories as they experienced the start of war, the phoney war, the blitz all the way to the subsequent ending. It was fast paced and had me rapidly reading as catastrophic events unfurled.

With clever Lawrence who has a questioning and inventive mind, Olive who’s reluctance to be sent away throws her into a group with others like Gremlin who is sleeping rough and Franklin who wants to be a fire fighter more than anything. They form the Meridian Group and hold themselves together as they endure horrors of war.

I was definitely left reeling after this and didn’t half expect it to be as raw as it was. An important read for sure.