*Shortlisted

Review by Mia, year 9 Blackfen School for Girls
Fallout by Leslie Parr is an amazing historical novel that kept me hooked from start to finish. It’s set in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which was a time when people were really scared about a possible nuclear war. The story follows a boy named Jimmy, who has to move to a new town with his mum. He doesn’t really know why, but he quickly realizes that his family is keeping secrets. As he tries to figure out the truth, he makes new friends and uncovers things about his past that completely change the way he sees everything. One of the best things about this book is how real the characters feel. Jimmy is easy to relate to because he’s curious, determined, and sometimes gets things wrong—but he never gives up. I also loved how the story shows what life was like in the 1960s, especially how scared people were about war. The book made me think a lot about how people deal with fear. The writing is really good, and it made me feel like I was right there with Jimmy, experiencing everything alongside him. It’s full of mystery, emotion, and even some funny moments, which kept me turning the pages. If you like books with strong characters, historical settings, and a bit of mystery, then I would definitely recommend Fallout!

Review by Kayden, 13, The Henry Box School
This book was great! When I picked it out, I said to myself that this wasn’t my type of reading, but when I started getting into the storyline and it didn’t stop getting better, I disagreed with myself. I would recommend this to people who enjoy the history of the 1950s-1980, but also people who enjoy adventures. I rate this 4.5 stars. Enjoy reading!