My son was so engrossed in this book it was so easy for him to understand and he was engrossed in the book it was the right length so he didn't get bored

Another great addition to the Terrible True Tales series by Terry Deary. In this one, Deary collates stories about the Second World War, from what it was like to ration and to what it was like to be an evacuee. Deary explores different perspectives.

I really enjoy each Afterword at the end of each story that gives more context to the story just told. It’s a great way to present more insight / more factual information in a way that is accessible and easy to understand for young readers.

This one had a noticeable lack of ‘activities’ as compared to previous novels, which I think lowered the engagement a bit, however I did like the use of rhetorical questions at the end of the Afterwords to promote further thinking.

Terry Deary’s Terrible True Tales: Second World War is another brilliant addition from the master of making history thrilling, funny, and deeply human. Known worldwide for his Horrible Histories series, Deary once again proves he has a unique gift for bringing the past to life in ways that feel both educational and wildly entertaining.

This collection brings together four gripping stories set on the British Home Front, each inspired by real people and real events. From daring escapes and tense spy hunts to secret thefts and black-market dealings, every tale captures the uncertainty, danger, and courage of wartime Britain—but always through the eyes of ordinary children and communities.

This book of tales from the Second World War features four stories, from the escapades of a young evacuee, foiling a set of German spies, to a barrel heist and pesky rationing.

For any child with a love of history, watching Horrible Histories or adults wanting to teach a bit of the era to their kids, it’s a great read and one that can intrigue young minds.

The stories are all really well written, being both compelling, entertaining and informative without being too heavy. They also feature some capturing illustrations making it a great addition to a young and growing bookshelf.