What do you think?
Rate this book
Black Powder
England, 1605. 12-year-old Tom must save his father from hanging. He falls in with a mysterious stranger - the Falcon - who promises to help him in exchange for his service. But on the long journey to London, Tom discovers the Falcon's true mission - and a plot to blow up Parliament with barrels of black powder. Tom faces a terrible decision: secure his father's release, or stop the assassination of the king.
368 pages, Paperback
Published August 4, 2016
9 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Ally Sherrick
8 books13 followersAlly was born in Epsom, Surrey, where the famous Derby horse race takes place and Epsom Salts are from. When she was growing up she wanted to be an Egyptologist and dig up mummies. But instead, after a degree in medieval history, English and French, she worked in public relations and marketing, writing press releases, editing magazines, organising events and taking part in radio interviews. In 2010 she took a career break and studied for an MA in Writing for Children. This led on to the publication of her award-winning first novel, 'Black Powder', a page-turning adventure about young Catholic boy, Tom's desperate quest to save his father from the hangman's noose at the time of the infamous Gunpowder Plot.
Ally's second novel, 'The Buried Crown', is set during World War Two and tells the story of a brave evacuee boy, George and his refugee friend, Kitty and their bid to outwit the attempt of a band of Nazis to steal a priceless Anglo-Saxon crown.
'The Queen's Fool', her exciting new Tudor England-set adventure, will be published in February 2021.
Ally's second novel, 'The Buried Crown', is set during World War Two and tells the story of a brave evacuee boy, George and his refugee friend, Kitty and their bid to outwit the attempt of a band of Nazis to steal a priceless Anglo-Saxon crown.
'The Queen's Fool', her exciting new Tudor England-set adventure, will be published in February 2021.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 30, 2018
Fantastic re-imagining of events leading up to the Gunpowder Plot, which, if successful, would have changed England in a myriad of ways. This was a fast-paced, interesting read with emotional heft. All of the characters felt real, each with their own motivations and foibles. I particularly liked the Falcon (Guy Fawkes) and how he was portrayed as an honourable man, with a firm conviction that only such an extreme action could end the persecution of Catholics.
I learned a few new facts too! I don't mind when historical fiction takes a bit of license with events or fills in blanks with speculation, but I always like it when the author specifies which bits were real and which were embroidered. In this book some of the most fascinating tidbits were real.
I would recommend this for aged 12+ readers or pre-reading before recommending to a child or pupil. The reason for this is that it is shelved as MG (approxinately aged 8+) but it does open with a hanging and contains scenes of impaled heads, etc which could affect more sensitive readers.
I learned a few new facts too! I don't mind when historical fiction takes a bit of license with events or fills in blanks with speculation, but I always like it when the author specifies which bits were real and which were embroidered. In this book some of the most fascinating tidbits were real.
I would recommend this for aged 12+ readers or pre-reading before recommending to a child or pupil. The reason for this is that it is shelved as MG (approxinately aged 8+) but it does open with a hanging and contains scenes of impaled heads, etc which could affect more sensitive readers.
August 11, 2019
A really cool historical fiction
January 12, 2019
This is a really fun, indulging and involving gunpowder plot adventure where a boy called Tom Garnett sets out to rescue his father from the hangman’s noose. Poverty-stricken Tom and his little pet mouse, Jago, discover they have rich relatives, and – amongst the backdrop of a Catholic-hating society – they try to persuade that family to help them stop his dad being hung.
Sneaking around one night, Tom meets a man smuggling some barrels of gunpowder and is promptly captured by him. The mysterious man is called The Falcon and I won’t be giving anything away to say this man turns out to be a certain Guy Fawkes on his way to try and blow up Parliament with his gang of fanatical Roman Catholics.
Reading partly like a incredibly fun history lesson of how Protestants and Catholics fought one another under the reign of a manipulated King, Ally Sherrick brilliantly weaves Tom’s fictional story (about his father helping a Catholic priest so therefore committing a heinous crime to be hanged for) into the 1605 gunpowder plot. Tom becomes friends with Fawkes, meets his troublesome allies and their enemies and must battle a very dangerous London to try and rescue his father as well as – potentially – try and stop Guy Fawkes blowing up the King and Parliament.
A really snappy, descriptive feel-like-you’re-there thriller of a middle-grade book that any child who is a fan of the gunpowder plot (but wants a different take on it) will enjoy reading!
Sneaking around one night, Tom meets a man smuggling some barrels of gunpowder and is promptly captured by him. The mysterious man is called The Falcon and I won’t be giving anything away to say this man turns out to be a certain Guy Fawkes on his way to try and blow up Parliament with his gang of fanatical Roman Catholics.
Reading partly like a incredibly fun history lesson of how Protestants and Catholics fought one another under the reign of a manipulated King, Ally Sherrick brilliantly weaves Tom’s fictional story (about his father helping a Catholic priest so therefore committing a heinous crime to be hanged for) into the 1605 gunpowder plot. Tom becomes friends with Fawkes, meets his troublesome allies and their enemies and must battle a very dangerous London to try and rescue his father as well as – potentially – try and stop Guy Fawkes blowing up the King and Parliament.
A really snappy, descriptive feel-like-you’re-there thriller of a middle-grade book that any child who is a fan of the gunpowder plot (but wants a different take on it) will enjoy reading!
November 8, 2025
Learned a little bit more about the historical context of the Guy Fawkes plot but the implausible ending just didn’t do it for me.
February 27, 2017
What a cracking read, which I could not put down. I don’t read many longer stories (over 200 words) so the ones I do have to ‘have that special something’ which this certainly does in many ways.
Tom’s family is Catholic and it is a period in history when the King is persecuting them. When one day his farther helps a priest his world is turned upside down. He sets out on a long journey to his Uncle’s house (who he didn’t know had) to help his mother and to try and save his farther.
The characterization of Tom is superb, capturing both the curiosity of a 12 year old and his emotions as he grabbles, with fear,guilt and love for his family, in his journey to try and help this farther. The capturing of this period of history is superb. For example: the excitement of the crowd at the execution of a ‘papist’ at the start of the story, and the contrast between Tom’s family and his Uncles, a rich nobleman. The interweaving of the story with that of Guy Fawkes is inspired, and whilst you know how that story will play out, you are kept guessing with many twists and turns as to what will happen to Tom and his farther right to the very end.
I love stories that give you a strong sense of the landscape it is set in. In this story you only get a partial sense of the physical landscape. Instead you are navigated through small rooms, across fields through tunnels, with such great use of descriptive language that you really do feel like you are there.
A fast paced story, with a character you are rooting for from page one, and an eye opening insight into a fascinating period of history, with a skill of writing that you would more readily associate with more experienced authors. I can’t wait to see what Ally Sherrick writes next.
Tom’s family is Catholic and it is a period in history when the King is persecuting them. When one day his farther helps a priest his world is turned upside down. He sets out on a long journey to his Uncle’s house (who he didn’t know had) to help his mother and to try and save his farther.
The characterization of Tom is superb, capturing both the curiosity of a 12 year old and his emotions as he grabbles, with fear,guilt and love for his family, in his journey to try and help this farther. The capturing of this period of history is superb. For example: the excitement of the crowd at the execution of a ‘papist’ at the start of the story, and the contrast between Tom’s family and his Uncles, a rich nobleman. The interweaving of the story with that of Guy Fawkes is inspired, and whilst you know how that story will play out, you are kept guessing with many twists and turns as to what will happen to Tom and his farther right to the very end.
I love stories that give you a strong sense of the landscape it is set in. In this story you only get a partial sense of the physical landscape. Instead you are navigated through small rooms, across fields through tunnels, with such great use of descriptive language that you really do feel like you are there.
A fast paced story, with a character you are rooting for from page one, and an eye opening insight into a fascinating period of history, with a skill of writing that you would more readily associate with more experienced authors. I can’t wait to see what Ally Sherrick writes next.
October 28, 2023
BLACK POWDER is an engaging Middle Grade Historical about a boy trying to save his father who finds himself snared by the Gunpowder plot.
I really enjoyed how this book explored a real event and those taking part in a great adventure for children. The real conspirators are in this book which really helps bring an event learnt as a poem in school to life. It's a fun story to read but it's also highly educational. There is an author's note at the end explaining more about it, which is a nice touch.
The book explores why the plot came out, the religious tensions and persecutions in England at the time. It's a really nice, nuanced view of the circumstances and makes the reader wonder about whether the desperate actions were right - and what leads people to decide that their only course of action is violent acts to enact change they desire. It's nice when a book is as thought-provoking as the adventure is exciting.
As with her other books, Ally Sherrick has clearly done her research into the time period, really bringing it to life. I loved seeing my part of London (North Southwark) so faithfully and vividly portrayed on the page. From the Clink prison to the narrow streets and London Bridge, I really enjoyed getting to see the historical version of my home explored.
I really enjoyed how this book explored a real event and those taking part in a great adventure for children. The real conspirators are in this book which really helps bring an event learnt as a poem in school to life. It's a fun story to read but it's also highly educational. There is an author's note at the end explaining more about it, which is a nice touch.
The book explores why the plot came out, the religious tensions and persecutions in England at the time. It's a really nice, nuanced view of the circumstances and makes the reader wonder about whether the desperate actions were right - and what leads people to decide that their only course of action is violent acts to enact change they desire. It's nice when a book is as thought-provoking as the adventure is exciting.
As with her other books, Ally Sherrick has clearly done her research into the time period, really bringing it to life. I loved seeing my part of London (North Southwark) so faithfully and vividly portrayed on the page. From the Clink prison to the narrow streets and London Bridge, I really enjoyed getting to see the historical version of my home explored.
October 26, 2017
This is a great book to read coming up to Bonfire night. Even though the story is make belief the author does capture an authentic picture of the time. There are also some amazing facts and historic notes after you have finished the book telling you the real story/ or what we know of the Gunpowder plot. It's a great little YA book that takes you on a roller-coaster ride whilst basing you in a real thing that happened.
The author uses some amazing metaphors, similes and just in general awesome description. Which makes the book come to life. My only qualm with the book is that in general historic fiction isn't my cup of tea. The characters (apart from the Falcon) didn't really grab my attention or motivate me enough to keep reading. I didn't care about the main characters plight. I was far more interested in what was going on behind the scenes.
But mainly I read the book as its going out in my school library soon and it is superb for young readers. For adult readers it's a bit of fun but ultimately a bit too simplistic for my taste. I would recommend it as it teaches you something new whilst you enjoy something fictional.
The author uses some amazing metaphors, similes and just in general awesome description. Which makes the book come to life. My only qualm with the book is that in general historic fiction isn't my cup of tea. The characters (apart from the Falcon) didn't really grab my attention or motivate me enough to keep reading. I didn't care about the main characters plight. I was far more interested in what was going on behind the scenes.
But mainly I read the book as its going out in my school library soon and it is superb for young readers. For adult readers it's a bit of fun but ultimately a bit too simplistic for my taste. I would recommend it as it teaches you something new whilst you enjoy something fictional.
June 5, 2017
Black Powder by Ally Sherrick tells the tale of Tom, a young catholic boy living in England during the 1600's. Tom's father finds a priest in need of helping and gives him provisions and helps him on the way to London, but, the problem is that during those times Catholics in England were hated by King James the 1st. Later on he is then sentenced to death. Tom must go off to his uncle to find help where he meets his cousin, Cressida. Sadly his relatives can't help him so he must leave, where he makes unlikely friends with a smuggler who calls himself falcon. They set off on an adventure that leads them to unlikely places.
This beautifully written novel mixes irony, trickery and loyalty in such a fascinating way that you can't put the book down till you finish it. Such a good book that you almost want to keep it a secret.
This beautifully written novel mixes irony, trickery and loyalty in such a fascinating way that you can't put the book down till you finish it. Such a good book that you almost want to keep it a secret.
February 12, 2024
Black Powder is set in 1605 and tells the story of Tom Garnett. James I is king and Catholics, like Tom and his family are persecuted for their faith, forced to practise their religion in secret. When Tom’s father is caught harbouring a priest, he is sentenced to death. Tom must find a way to save his father before it’s too late. Help comes in the form of a stranger - the mysterious Falcon - who promises to help free his father in return for Tom’s help. Before he knows it, Tom finds himself caught up in a plot to kill the King and change the course of British history forever. Can Tom stop the plot and save his father before time runs out?
Although a little slow to get into a first, I’m glad o persevered as this is a lovely book which tells some of the story behind the famous event. I particularly enjoyed the end and finding out which parts were actually true!
Although a little slow to get into a first, I’m glad o persevered as this is a lovely book which tells some of the story behind the famous event. I particularly enjoyed the end and finding out which parts were actually true!
dnf
November 30, 2023Read 140 pages (2023)
I knew going into this that there would be the religious aspects, cause the whole reason for the Gunpowder Plot was persecuted Catholics trying to kill the Protestant government. I was hoping that the adventure part of the story would be bigger, cause I don't particularly take sides when it comes to religion. Sure the Catholics were persecuted, often unfairly. But they did the same thing and would do the same thing if they had all the power, so it's hard for me to feel to much sympathy for them in this book. And for this book to be successful, you do need that.
I knew going into this that there would be the religious aspects, cause the whole reason for the Gunpowder Plot was persecuted Catholics trying to kill the Protestant government. I was hoping that the adventure part of the story would be bigger, cause I don't particularly take sides when it comes to religion. Sure the Catholics were persecuted, often unfairly. But they did the same thing and would do the same thing if they had all the power, so it's hard for me to feel to much sympathy for them in this book. And for this book to be successful, you do need that.
January 24, 2019
I say 4 stars but kids say 10-- we compromised on 5 ;)
Very fun read about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder plot through the eyes of a young catholic boy who wants to save his father from persecution. He meets a friend, or foe? only known as The Falcon. Through a combination of characters Ally Sherrick gives a brilliant historical overview of one of the most famous days in English history that is still celebrated today-- November 5th.
Very fun read about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder plot through the eyes of a young catholic boy who wants to save his father from persecution. He meets a friend, or foe? only known as The Falcon. Through a combination of characters Ally Sherrick gives a brilliant historical overview of one of the most famous days in English history that is still celebrated today-- November 5th.
October 30, 2022
Twelve year old Tom is a Catholic when it's not a great time to be one in England. When his family is attacked and hunted for their faith, he sets out to rescue his father from the executioner. Along the way he falls in with a bunch of men who have plans to end the Catholic persecution in an explosive manner. This was a different approach to the tale of the Gunpowder Plot and I enjoyed reading Tom's adventures and perils.
December 26, 2017
This is historical fiction as it should be: accessible, fast-moving, with a cool animal sidekick - and enough action to make Schwarzenegger look limp. My favourite children's book this year. Excellent!
I am a teacher. Any colleagues thinking about covering the Gunpowder Plot would be mad not to use it!
I am a teacher. Any colleagues thinking about covering the Gunpowder Plot would be mad not to use it!
August 11, 2021
This has been on my tbr pile for far too long. It is an excellent story based around the gunpowder plot. Ally Sherrick expertly writes books based on historical events with very realistic characters and changes that could be true. I would not hesitate to read anything she writes, I have loved all of her books so far.
January 24, 2020
An adventure through history with this book, reimagining the events leading up to Guy Fawkes Gunpowder plot. The characters in the story are well written and pull you into the adventure. Readers 10+ will love this book.
March 21, 2020
Great unexpected ending!
April 19, 2020
An enjoyable read.
July 8, 2024
Excellent historical fiction with lots of interesting characters, well written keeps your interest to the end.
November 8, 2025
I enjoyed the idea of it because there aren’t that many books like this but in the end the writing was mid and the ending was kinda bad
March 12, 2017
Intriguing historical fiction full of great characters!
February 22, 2017
This book tells the story of Tom, who in order to save his father gets involved in the gunpowder plot of the 5th of November. It explores how far one is willing to go for the ones they love, in a beautiful middle-grade story that clearly shows the unfairness of things and the desperation of the characters. Even though bad things are done, you understand why the characters do what they do. You feel for them, but not necessarily root for them. The last page of the book perfectly summarizes the feeling, and the beauty, throughout the story:
'And was he an honourable man?'
The ache started up in Tom's chest again. He shrugged. 'I don't know. He did bad things, but some good ones too.'
... frown melted into a smile. He ruffled his hair. 'Then he is human, like the rest of us.'
What makes this story very strong is that it is not only inspired on a real event, but many of the characters also really existed. Of course, they have been fictionalized and the events around the gunpowder plot have been changed to fit the story of Tom, but as a reader you feel that it is real. All the characters in this book are flawed. They make mistakes, they do stupid things... and it's okay.
I appreciated that, although all the events in this book happen because of religion, the story does not focus on religion. It is about love, family, friendship and humanity. The characters for example rarely pray.
It started of fairly slow, but the second half of the book really makes up for this and I could not put the book down. It made me feel all the feels and I definitely welled up close to the end. Overall it is a very entertaining and beautiful middle-grade read, but enjoyable for readers of all ages. Highly recommend it.
'And was he an honourable man?'
The ache started up in Tom's chest again. He shrugged. 'I don't know. He did bad things, but some good ones too.'
... frown melted into a smile. He ruffled his hair. 'Then he is human, like the rest of us.'
What makes this story very strong is that it is not only inspired on a real event, but many of the characters also really existed. Of course, they have been fictionalized and the events around the gunpowder plot have been changed to fit the story of Tom, but as a reader you feel that it is real. All the characters in this book are flawed. They make mistakes, they do stupid things... and it's okay.
I appreciated that, although all the events in this book happen because of religion, the story does not focus on religion. It is about love, family, friendship and humanity. The characters for example rarely pray.
It started of fairly slow, but the second half of the book really makes up for this and I could not put the book down. It made me feel all the feels and I definitely welled up close to the end. Overall it is a very entertaining and beautiful middle-grade read, but enjoyable for readers of all ages. Highly recommend it.
July 10, 2023
History is written by the victors. This story challenges the reader to consider what would have happened if the plot to blow up Parliament had been successful. It is a clever adventure story interwoven with the true story of the gunpowder plot. I loved the 'other characters who could have been there' aspect to the story.
Was Guy Fawkes evil or not? Tom wrestles with the same question. Was he a traitor or a freedom fighter? If the plot had been successful he would probably have been regarded as a hero. Great, fast-paced adventure.
Describes hanging, but not in detail. Y4/5+
Was Guy Fawkes evil or not? Tom wrestles with the same question. Was he a traitor or a freedom fighter? If the plot had been successful he would probably have been regarded as a hero. Great, fast-paced adventure.
Describes hanging, but not in detail. Y4/5+
January 15, 2017
Historical adventure centred around the gunpowder plot. Revolves around Tom's efforts to save his father who harboured a Jesuit priest. He gangs up with his cousin to save the King and rescue his father. Entertaining.
April 15, 2020
I thought this was an excellent retelling of the Gunpowder Plot from the point of view of a young Catholic. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and felt emotionally attached to the tiny mouse.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews