Blitz Boys

The stories in the World War II Flashbacks series draw the reader into the experiences and emotions of a young person's life, caught against a period backdrop of historical upheaval. The child reader can also absorb important historical details that might otherwise be taught only as dry facts.

From the dangers of London streets during the Blitz to working on the high seas in the Merchant Navy during the Atlantic Convoy, children were on the frontline of battle during the Second World War. In Sean Longden's gripping retelling of the conflict, he explores how the war impacted upon a whole generation who lost their innocence at home and abroad, on the battlefield and the home front. Through extensive interviews and research, Longden uncovers previously untold stories of heroism and courage: the eleven year old boy who was sunk on the SS Benares and left in frozen water for two days; the teenage Girl Guide awarded the George Medal for bravery; the merchant seaman sunk three times by the age of seventeen; the fourteen year old who signed up for the army three times before finally seeing action in the Normandy campaign; the fourteen year old 'Boy Buglers' of the Royal Marines on active service onboard battleships; as well as the harrowing experiences of the boy who was survived the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster; the horrors of being a child captive in the German PoW camps. Blitz Kids will change forever the way one sees the relationship between the Second World War and the generation - our grandparents and great grandparents- who bravely faced the challenge of Nazism. Allowing them to tell their stories in their own words, Sean Longden brings both the horrors and the humour of young lives lived in troubled times. The book includes stories of: The seventeen year old boy who signed up 4 times before he made it onto the beaches at Normandy. The Girl Guide who saved a family during the blitz. The teenage merchant seaman who was sunk three times. What it was like to be a teenage POW after the disasters of Dunkirk. Praise for Sean Longden: "A rising name in military history ... able to uncover the missing stories of the Second World War." The Guardian 'A tenacious sleuth of Second World War secrets.' Andrew Roberts. 'At times you have to stop and remind yourself that you're reading history and not an 007 thriller." The Soldier. 'First class history from a first class historian' Military Illustrated. 'Fascinating'. Financial Times.

A story set in London during the Blitz. With Gernan planes blitzing London, the wreckage can be an exciting place to play after the fear of the night has died down. Whilst exploring a bombed house one day, a lonely boy makes a friend whose father is an RAF pilot - much more exciting than his own air-raid warden dad. But it takes genuine danger to make him realise the difference between the heroism of fantasy and what people do when their courage is needed for real.

This is the `amazing` story of a brother and sister`s adventure, which begins in war torn London in 1940. A piece of paper with symbols on it, accidentally comes into Jo and Geordie Cameron`s possession! Could it be a Secret Code? Jo and Geordie are kidnapped and the lad is tortured by the `Ferret`. They escape from their prison and get help from gang members Alan, Eddy and Pete. After a roller coaster ride they find their home bombed and their mother missing. Their father, a Captain in the Royal Marines, sends them to their Uncle in Scotland while he is called to the War Office. At King`s Cross Gang Leader Gary gives Geordie Long Distance Lizzie to look after and Jo acts on impulse! Disaster strikes when a bomb explodes on the train and the Flying Scotsman is dive-bombed by a `Stuka` at the Forth Bridge! When they reach Dundee someone is watching! In Carlogie they meet `Bonnie` the mare and later renew their friendship with `Spot Oor Dog`. There is a GREAT RAT HUNT and Spot gets badly bitten! The next day they get a cable from their father but German Commandos invade the farm! The kids get unexpected help before making their escape on a motorbike! They are taken to an Airfield and fly south in a Lysander! Two more narrow escapes later they reach London to find the Blitz Kids Gang have been warned! An Almighty BATTLE takes place and more discoveries are made before Jo and Geordie and their friends in the BLITZ KIDS GANG fight the invaders to a standstill! There are more surprises in store but to know more you must read the book!

In the 1940s, before March Madness, the frenzy of the NBA draft, and multimilliondollar professional contracts, college basketball players played simply because they loved the game. This is the story of a group of kids who loved to play basketball: the underdog 1943-44 University of Utah men's basketball team and their unlikely path to the NCAA championship, who came out of nowhere to upset heavily favored Dartmouth for the title. Josh Ferrin and Tres Ferrin, grandson and son of Arnie Ferrin, both grew up hearing stories of Arnie's illustrious basketball career at the University of Utah. Josh established himself as an award-winning illustrator and author before deciding to research and write the story of Arnie's championship season. He resides in Bountiful, Utah, with his wife and two sons. Tres is a physical therapist who has practiced in the area of sports medicine for thirty-five years, an adjunct faculty member at Weber State University, and an avid cyclist. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Ogden, Utah. The original and unlikeliest of Cinderella stories

In the 1940s, before March Madness, the frenzy of the NBA draft, and multi-million dollar professional contracts, college basketball players played simply because they loved the game. This is the story of a group of kids who loved to play basketball: the underdog 1943–44 University of Utah men’s basketball team and their unlikely path to the NCAA championship, who came out of nowhere to upset heavily favored Dartmouth for the title.

From the dangers of London streets during the Blitz to working on the high seas during the Atlantic Convoy, children were on the frontline of battle during the Second World War. In Sean Longden's retelling of the conflict, he explores how the war impacted upon a whole generation who lost their innocence at home and abroad.