Fallout

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

Readers of a certain vintage might remember a series of fiction books for children/teenagers called Topliners which we had in the school library in the late 1970s although I believe they were first issued in 1968. These books dealt with contemporary issues and the problems of teenagers and were trailblazing in their day. I particularly like the Birdy Jones stories and the Louie's Lot books.

This book reminds me of those Topliners. It is well written, entirely believable and deals with issues maybe more relevant to younger children in the modern world than to teens in the 1970s. There would be a lot to discuss with readers, friendships, bullying, family problems etc. I particularly liked the intergenerational friendship between Marcus and his elderly neighbour Mick. i wonder how many of today's youngsters know about Duck and Cover and nuclear bunkers?

There is even social activism in there although in those days it was the nuclear threat we marched about rather than today's climate change. I loved all the references to the time - Findus Crispy Pancakes, Starsky and Hutch to name but two - and the authentic picture of those days which would I am sure be of interest to children who like social history.

Educational for children, nostalgic for adults.