"Masterful story of Blitz Britain...a beautifully told coming-of-age story." The Telegraph, Children's Book of the Week
"An emotion-packed tale of survival, heartbreak and hope." Lancashire Evening Post

From the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Geraldine McCaughrean comes an utterly immersive and unforgettable novel set during the London Blitz, inspired by her firefighter father.

With the Second World War looming, four young people sit on a train waiting to be evacuated to a safer place...but they don't want to go. They climb out of the carriage and head back home to Greenwich, forming an unlikely friendship.

They spend their days trying to be useful. Laurence is building a secret machine. Gemmy searches bombed-out homes for things of value - only to find an adorable mutt she can't even give away. Franklin wants to join the Fire Service, although it means lying about his age. Olive looks after her father, who is broken by the deaths of his fellow firefighters. And together, the four roam the streets of London, discovering their resilience amongst the secrets of the city.

But as the Blitz unleashes a barrage of bombs on London, turning the sky ragged with flame, can the friends keep each other safe and survive?

Prizes

Nominated for The Yoto Carnegie Medal 2026 (UK)

The world of the Blitz is brought into raw, flaming life. Brutal, beautiful and wise. -- The Times * The best children's books of 2025 *
McCaughrean spins a thrilling story of four teenagers who evade evacuation... The true cost of war becomes heartbreakingly clear as "The Meridians" pursue both friendship and adventure. -- The Financial Times * Best books of 2025: Children's and Young Adult *
After more than 170 books, this superb historical novel, recounting the adventures of four teenagers during the London Blitz, might be McCaughrean's best. -- The Daily Telegraph * Your complete guide to the best books of 2025 *
Masterful story of Blitz Britain...a beautifully told coming-of-age story. * The Telegraph, 5 Star review *
Reading Under a Fire-Red Sky feels like diving into one of those black-and-white Pathé film reels and finding the world of the Blitz brought into flaming colour. * The Times Children's Book of the Week *
Brutal, beautiful and wise. * The Times Children's Book of the Week *
A powerful and moving celebration of young people and their courage. * The Bookseller *
This superb historical novel, recounting the adventures of four teenagers during the London Blitz, might be McCaughrean's best. -- The Telegraph * The greatest books of 2025 *
Thrilling wartime tale. * The Telegraph, 5 Star review *
The highly accomplished and versatile Geraldine McCaughrean is on form in her latest novel, drawing on her father's experiences as a firefighter in the second World War. * The Irish Times *
Unflinching in its portrayal of conflict and history, this terrific novel follows four kids who first dodge evacuation during the Blitz, then return to the chaos of London. -- The i Paper * 14 best children's books of 2025 *
Just when you think that there's no new stories about WW2 to read along comes a book like this which blows your mind... An incredible war story * Sarah Salmon, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library *
Stark and realistic Blitz portrayal... Harrowing yet hopeful... fine writing that brings home the lessons of the past. * Katy Kelly, librarian *
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. * Goodreads review *
An important read. * Stuck in the Book Loop *
An emotional adventure that blends a coming-of-age tale with WWII historical fiction, reminiscent of The Famous Five. * School Reading List *
An emotion-packed tale of survival, heartbreak and hope. * Lancashire Post syndicated review *
McCaughrean writes with a directness that has considerable impact and this is a moving and compelling read. * A Library Lady *
[A] gripping wartime adventure * The Week Junior *
This powerful story puts a heroic record straight in a way readers are unlikely ever to forget. * Books for Keeps *
In short, punchy chapters, McCaughrean captures both the horrors of war and the importance of friendship. * The Scotsman *
The world of the Blitz is brought into raw, flaming life. It feels like plunging into one of those black and white Pathé film reels and finding everything in colour. Brutal, beautiful and wise. -- The Times * The best children's books of 2025 *

Geraldine McCaughrean is one of today's most successful and highly regarded children's authors. She has won the CILIP Carnegie Medal twice: first in 1988 with A Pack of Lies and again in 2018 with Where the World Ends. She's won the IBW Book Award 2018, the Whitbread Children's Book Award three times, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Smarties Bronze Award four times, the prestigious U.S. Printz Award and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award. Geraldine lives in Berkshire with her husband John and the lingering shades of all those characters she has invented in her books.