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Bomber
ONE IN FIVE NEVER RETURNED.
Every boy dreams of flying, but in war that dream can turn into a nightmare. Harry Friedman is the gunner of the Macey May, an American Flying Fortress stationed in East Anglia. The Second World War is raging and the Nazis have swept over Europe. The crews of every Flying Fortress face terrible odds on their bombing missions. To make it through alive, Harry will need luck on his side and courage … Courage to keep going when he has watched close friends die. Courage to confront a terrible evil. And the courage to make it home from deep behind enemy lines.
Nail-biting tension and compelling storytelling combine with Dowswell's meticulous research to deliver a page-turner for fans of John Boyne, Morris Gleitzman and Marcus Zusak.
Every boy dreams of flying, but in war that dream can turn into a nightmare. Harry Friedman is the gunner of the Macey May, an American Flying Fortress stationed in East Anglia. The Second World War is raging and the Nazis have swept over Europe. The crews of every Flying Fortress face terrible odds on their bombing missions. To make it through alive, Harry will need luck on his side and courage … Courage to keep going when he has watched close friends die. Courage to confront a terrible evil. And the courage to make it home from deep behind enemy lines.
Nail-biting tension and compelling storytelling combine with Dowswell's meticulous research to deliver a page-turner for fans of John Boyne, Morris Gleitzman and Marcus Zusak.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2014
2 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Paul Dowswell
145 books66 followersPaul Dowswell is a British writer of nonfiction and young adult novels who has written over 70 books for British publishers. He was a senior editor at Usborne Publishing, then went freelance in 1999.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 21, 2021
I actually bought this book (local independent bookstore, obviously) and despite the cover indicating I might not be target audience, was looking forward to reading it. I love YA for one, and have read plenty action packed boys- marketed stories.
This one at this point was just ok. I wasn’t blown away - at all (pun unintended) but it was interesting enough, and protagonist Harry had me rooting soon enough. Maybe I couldn’t be swooned because the book I read the day before was so good. Maybe it’s just not such a good book.
Either way, so here’s your action packed book. A 17 year old Brooklyn boy enlists and is stationed in the UK to bomb Germany. His reasons are mentioned, but I don’t feel them. His fears when he realises how many do not return from their missions are repeated enough, but in a childish way (but hey, it’s aimed not at adults, so I can live with that). You can’t fill a book with just successful missions nor can you reach 200 pages if the protagonist dies too soon. So he’s parachuted and the rest of the book deals with the French resistance. (Can’t say more for spoilers). Did I feel that? Nay….only sometimes. Was it action packed? Only sometimes (possibly because I didn’t feel much). Did I read on? Why yes. It wasn’t a bad book, plus, I was invested enough. But I would say for all the title and cover, there’s precious little flying happening in the book.
Oh, and there’s a super shallow girl-trope. Possibly to pave the way for when the boys reading this are men and they’ll be confronted with books and films that feature a female body with not too much character, text, or depth.
This one at this point was just ok. I wasn’t blown away - at all (pun unintended) but it was interesting enough, and protagonist Harry had me rooting soon enough. Maybe I couldn’t be swooned because the book I read the day before was so good. Maybe it’s just not such a good book.
Either way, so here’s your action packed book. A 17 year old Brooklyn boy enlists and is stationed in the UK to bomb Germany. His reasons are mentioned, but I don’t feel them. His fears when he realises how many do not return from their missions are repeated enough, but in a childish way (but hey, it’s aimed not at adults, so I can live with that). You can’t fill a book with just successful missions nor can you reach 200 pages if the protagonist dies too soon. So he’s parachuted and the rest of the book deals with the French resistance. (Can’t say more for spoilers). Did I feel that? Nay….only sometimes. Was it action packed? Only sometimes (possibly because I didn’t feel much). Did I read on? Why yes. It wasn’t a bad book, plus, I was invested enough. But I would say for all the title and cover, there’s precious little flying happening in the book.
Oh, and there’s a super shallow girl-trope. Possibly to pave the way for when the boys reading this are men and they’ll be confronted with books and films that feature a female body with not too much character, text, or depth.
August 3, 2015
4.5 stars
July 17, 2016
Great story - gave a good insight into the crew of a B-17 Bomber... Really liked this book...
November 26, 2022
Recensione completa su Scheggia tra le pagine
Bomber – Quando il cielo cade a pezzi è il primo libro che leggo di Paul Dowswell, un autore che ha scritto molti libri per ragazzi e spesso con temi relativi alla guerra.
La storia è quella di Harry Friedman, un ragazzo non ancora maggiorenne che mente per arruolarsi come volontario nell’aviazione militare, per combattere contro i tedeschi durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
Nonostante sia un libro per ragazzi, la storia è molto corposa e forte e non si risparmia sugli eventi, evitando di puntare al lieto fine per tutti. Il protagonista e i suoi compagni sono in guerra e vivono tutti i momenti terribili che quella situazione comporta.
Questa è una storia di coraggio e tuttavia secondo me esagera nella ripetizione degli eventi, infatti a un certo punto mi era un po’ passata la voglia di continuare. C’è un po’ di complessità tra eventi che si susseguono e termini relativi all’aviazione e parti del veicolo, infatti non definirei questo libro eccessivamente scorrevole, però potrebbe essere interessante da far leggere anche per comprendere ed eventualmente integrare con spiegazioni determinate questioni relative alla guerra, come l’olocausto, l’arruolamento, la resistenza e le sue regole.
È un libro denso di temi ma si fatica ad affezionarsi al protagonista che sembra spesso solo un catalizzatore degli eventi, un soldatino messo lì per raccontare qualcosa, ricordandomi un po’ Steve Rogers prima di diventare Captain America.
Bomber – Quando il cielo cade a pezzi è il primo libro che leggo di Paul Dowswell, un autore che ha scritto molti libri per ragazzi e spesso con temi relativi alla guerra.
La storia è quella di Harry Friedman, un ragazzo non ancora maggiorenne che mente per arruolarsi come volontario nell’aviazione militare, per combattere contro i tedeschi durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale.
Nonostante sia un libro per ragazzi, la storia è molto corposa e forte e non si risparmia sugli eventi, evitando di puntare al lieto fine per tutti. Il protagonista e i suoi compagni sono in guerra e vivono tutti i momenti terribili che quella situazione comporta.
Questa è una storia di coraggio e tuttavia secondo me esagera nella ripetizione degli eventi, infatti a un certo punto mi era un po’ passata la voglia di continuare. C’è un po’ di complessità tra eventi che si susseguono e termini relativi all’aviazione e parti del veicolo, infatti non definirei questo libro eccessivamente scorrevole, però potrebbe essere interessante da far leggere anche per comprendere ed eventualmente integrare con spiegazioni determinate questioni relative alla guerra, come l’olocausto, l’arruolamento, la resistenza e le sue regole.
È un libro denso di temi ma si fatica ad affezionarsi al protagonista che sembra spesso solo un catalizzatore degli eventi, un soldatino messo lì per raccontare qualcosa, ricordandomi un po’ Steve Rogers prima di diventare Captain America.
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December 30, 2025Bomber is a standout, educational, and highly engaging entry in WWII historical fiction for young adults. It succeeds brilliantly in making history feel immediate, dangerous, and human. It’s an ideal recommendation for readers fascinated by military history, for teachers seeking a compelling companion text for units on WWII, and for any teen reader who enjoys stories of survival, loyalty, and resilience under extreme pressure. It stands shoulder-to-shoulder with classics like Johnny Got His Gun (in tone, not message) and more recent titles like All the Light We Cannot See in its ambition to bring a pivotal historical moment to vivid, emotional life for a new generation.
December 7, 2015
WOW! This book is a corker of gutsy action adventure, especially good for anyone into the idea of flying!
This book lands you slap bang in the middle of the Second World War and fighting with the allies, running bombing runs across Germany and occupied France. Harry and the crew of the Macy May find themselves up against it in one of the most perilous armed forces where one in five servicemen didn't return.
As usual, Paul Dowswell's writing gives a clear vision through his character's eyes and asks some pertinent questions about the time and setting of the piece. (Are acts of war ever the right thing, how quiet bravery stands against "louder" heroic acts, the anti-Semitic attitudes os the time etc)
Giving believable detail of bombing runs, flying missions and accidents, occupied France and Resistance operations to help Servicemen return to safety, this book keeps your mind very much stuck with the story and raring to start the next chapter.
The only thing I would watch out for is the brutal and often shocking descriptions of death and injury throughout the novel, not out of place but very effective and visceral. Not for the weak stomached!
This book lands you slap bang in the middle of the Second World War and fighting with the allies, running bombing runs across Germany and occupied France. Harry and the crew of the Macy May find themselves up against it in one of the most perilous armed forces where one in five servicemen didn't return.
As usual, Paul Dowswell's writing gives a clear vision through his character's eyes and asks some pertinent questions about the time and setting of the piece. (Are acts of war ever the right thing, how quiet bravery stands against "louder" heroic acts, the anti-Semitic attitudes os the time etc)
Giving believable detail of bombing runs, flying missions and accidents, occupied France and Resistance operations to help Servicemen return to safety, this book keeps your mind very much stuck with the story and raring to start the next chapter.
The only thing I would watch out for is the brutal and often shocking descriptions of death and injury throughout the novel, not out of place but very effective and visceral. Not for the weak stomached!
November 23, 2016
Reading this with Master Nine. Although a pretty good read it's a tad adult for him (some inappropriate language) and I'm finding it rather hard work to read aloud so we are abandoning about 1/2way through in search of something more rivteing. Might come back to this at a later date. Not nearly as captivating as David Hill's Brave Company - possibly as the US Bomber is not so relatable as the NZ history of NZ Naval Fleet?
August 28, 2015
Een boek vol actie wat iets heel knap heeft gedaan: ik zou graag eens een b-17 in het echt gaan zien. Fascinerend oogpunt, vanuit de buikschieter gelezen. Ik kan me direct voorstellen hoe dat gevoeld moet hebben in zo'n bol. Ben blij dat ik daar nu meer over weet.
Ik had wel wat moeite met de binding met de personages, het is allemaal vrij koud geschreven.
Ik had wel wat moeite met de binding met de personages, het is allemaal vrij koud geschreven.
December 31, 2015
Engaging page turner, feels very authentic and real. Enjoyed it very much.
Engaging page turner, feels very authentic and real. Enjoyed it very much. Would read another book from this author. Excellent read.
Engaging page turner, feels very authentic and real. Enjoyed it very much. Would read another book from this author. Excellent read.
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March 13, 2016Goed, spannend boek over een jonge vlieger in de WOII. Vanaf ong 15 jaar omdat er toch wat achtergrondkennis voor nodig is, zeker in het tweede gedeelte van het boek. Deze schrijver is overigens zeer toegankelijk voor de ya-lezers ;-)
July 29, 2016
Not for me but I know a lot of my history clubbers will be very much into it
January 8, 2017
Not the most in depth book but it was an ok quick read, would suit a younger audience to get them into reading novels.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews