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Operation Doodlebug: a wartime story of friendship, courage and one boy’s heart-wrenching quest for truth
Not yet published
Expected 5 Nov 26From award-winning author Tia Fisher comes an unforgettable wartime story of friendship, courage, and one boy's heart-wrenching quest for the truth. Perfect for fans of Phil Earle and Michael Morpurgo.
It's 1944 and Stan's hopes of keeping his family together until the war is over are shattered when his father signs up to fight. Left with his mother in Croydon as Hitler sends over waves of V1 rockets, Stan suffers endless air-raid sirens and long nights in the cramped Anderson shelter they share with their neighbours.
Then comes the news they were his father is missing, presumed killed. But Stan refuses to give up hope, and when a mysterious piece of doodlebug shrapnel holds crucial information from a prisoner of war, he and his friends run away to track down the truth.
It's 1944 and Stan's hopes of keeping his family together until the war is over are shattered when his father signs up to fight. Left with his mother in Croydon as Hitler sends over waves of V1 rockets, Stan suffers endless air-raid sirens and long nights in the cramped Anderson shelter they share with their neighbours.
Then comes the news they were his father is missing, presumed killed. But Stan refuses to give up hope, and when a mysterious piece of doodlebug shrapnel holds crucial information from a prisoner of war, he and his friends run away to track down the truth.
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Expected publication November 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Piccadilly Press for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I'm generally not a fan of books written in an accent or dialect, but this one felt real - perhaps because it's not overpowering. But also, it felt very East London and I live about 20 minutes from London so it felt familiar.
I thought the choice to have it narrated by a child was good. You get that mixture of innocence with fear but still with a bit of hope that comes with that innocence of youth. It also gives younger readers someone to identify with.
We have three main child characters and then a range of adults, and they're all very well written, and have interesting personal stories but also play a part in the overall story.
Tia has perfectly encapsulated the fear of shelters, the claustrophobia, the panic - I can't even begin to imagine how horrendous it was. She's not gone overboard but she's really painted an uncomfortable picture.
She's been careful not to paint war as fun. I mean, yes, they're kids, and so they will find fun in most things, but she hasn't let it take over, but nor has she hammered home the morbidity.
It's a war story, but for me the war is incidental. It's a story about family, friendship, love, grief, trust, hope, resilience, believing, community, and the power of togetherness.
Whilst it's a fictional book, it's clear Tia has done her research because everything feels so right and grounded. I found it interesting. But she hasn't overwhelmed the story with facts, she's just rooted it in reality.
Whilst it should be rea on its own merit, it definitely reminded me of Goodnight Mister Tom which was a staple read at school and I could this right up there.
Whether it has a happy ending or not I won't spoil, but it's the ending this story deserved and I really liked it.
I read it in one sitting, it was so gloriously addictive.
I'm generally not a fan of books written in an accent or dialect, but this one felt real - perhaps because it's not overpowering. But also, it felt very East London and I live about 20 minutes from London so it felt familiar.
I thought the choice to have it narrated by a child was good. You get that mixture of innocence with fear but still with a bit of hope that comes with that innocence of youth. It also gives younger readers someone to identify with.
We have three main child characters and then a range of adults, and they're all very well written, and have interesting personal stories but also play a part in the overall story.
Tia has perfectly encapsulated the fear of shelters, the claustrophobia, the panic - I can't even begin to imagine how horrendous it was. She's not gone overboard but she's really painted an uncomfortable picture.
She's been careful not to paint war as fun. I mean, yes, they're kids, and so they will find fun in most things, but she hasn't let it take over, but nor has she hammered home the morbidity.
It's a war story, but for me the war is incidental. It's a story about family, friendship, love, grief, trust, hope, resilience, believing, community, and the power of togetherness.
Whilst it's a fictional book, it's clear Tia has done her research because everything feels so right and grounded. I found it interesting. But she hasn't overwhelmed the story with facts, she's just rooted it in reality.
Whilst it should be rea on its own merit, it definitely reminded me of Goodnight Mister Tom which was a staple read at school and I could this right up there.
Whether it has a happy ending or not I won't spoil, but it's the ending this story deserved and I really liked it.
I read it in one sitting, it was so gloriously addictive.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Operation Doodlebug is an exciting and engaging story which follows three children during WW2. Nellie, Stan and Billy, for various reasons, have stayed in London during the Blitz, facing hardships but getting by. But things become harder, Stan's dad signs up to fight and then the Doodlebugs begin to fall. and staying home becomes even more dangerous.
The characters are likeable and relatable - I especially enjoyed Nellie's character - they all have their own strengths but none are infallible.
Whilst it is a fictional story, it is based in lots of facts - definitely suited to anyone with an interest in WW2 - with lots of details I didn't know, so I learnt quite a few new things. However, you don't need a specific interest in history to enjoy this story; it has lots of action, and moves at a quick pace. It also covers themes of friendship, intolerance, resilience, loss and hope. These themes and the historical accuracy would make it an excellent class read too.
The characters are likeable and relatable - I especially enjoyed Nellie's character - they all have their own strengths but none are infallible.
Whilst it is a fictional story, it is based in lots of facts - definitely suited to anyone with an interest in WW2 - with lots of details I didn't know, so I learnt quite a few new things. However, you don't need a specific interest in history to enjoy this story; it has lots of action, and moves at a quick pace. It also covers themes of friendship, intolerance, resilience, loss and hope. These themes and the historical accuracy would make it an excellent class read too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having very much enjoyed Tia Fisher's brilliant YA verse novels, I was eager to see where this change of direction would take a younger reader.
This wonderful MG story is so full of warmth, hope and heart with a cast of engaging characters, particularly Billy whose personality is so much bigger than his disability. His dwarfism is sensitively handled, ensuring he is portrayed as a rounded, flawed character and never a figure of pity.
Operation Doodlebug brings World War II skilfully and vividly to life with fascinating attention to detail. Optimistic, never heavy handed despite the serious subject matter, this future classic should be a staple in every junior school library.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the early read.
This wonderful MG story is so full of warmth, hope and heart with a cast of engaging characters, particularly Billy whose personality is so much bigger than his disability. His dwarfism is sensitively handled, ensuring he is portrayed as a rounded, flawed character and never a figure of pity.
Operation Doodlebug brings World War II skilfully and vividly to life with fascinating attention to detail. Optimistic, never heavy handed despite the serious subject matter, this future classic should be a staple in every junior school library.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the early read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Both my parents were bombed out by Doodlebugs at the end of World War II which made this a fascinating and meaningful read for me. It begins with a boy, Stan, saying goodbye to his Dad, who's off to fight in the war. But while Stan waits anxiously for news about D-Day, the Doodlebugs continue to rain down on Croydon, and Stan and his friends Billy and Nellie are evacuated to the Norfolk coast, where even more challenges await...
Fans of Goodnight Mister Tom will LOVE this book, which is the perfect introduction to the Home Front (life in England during World War II) for middle grade pupils.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from the publisher.
Fans of Goodnight Mister Tom will LOVE this book, which is the perfect introduction to the Home Front (life in England during World War II) for middle grade pupils.
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from the publisher.
August 7, 2026
A book the deals with the doodlebug bombings at the end of the Second World War. It’s ok but tbh I expected something a bit more hard hitting than this from fisher after her first two books. The book is aimed at upper ks2, and the nuances of the text that parallel the world today were the best bits for me, around the middle, but will be lost on that age group. Also, plenty has been written about the blitz and while it was clear to me this was about the doodlebugs, it could easily have been about the blitz itself. It also reminded me a bit of shrapnel boys, which I read earlier in the year as both have a subplot involving one of the main characters fathers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Another extraordinary book from the pen of Tia Fisher. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and I struggled to put it down once I’d started. This book has rich and relatable characters, a page-turning plot and uses authentic period detail with a light and illuminating touch. The last six chapters had me bawling. Reminded me of the enduring, quality storytelling of the books of my childhood e.g. The Railway Children, Carrie’s War and Tom’s Midnight Garden. Bravo, can’t wait to see what Tia will turn her hand to next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I loved this. Focuses on the V1 and V2 attacks later on in the war. Also features Norfolk I enjoyed every page
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews