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The God of all Small Boys
James is sent away to live with his mill-town relatives in this nostalgic, coming-of-age novel set against the backdrop of Dundee during WW1.
Some summers were made for growing up...
Dundee 1917. When his father goes to fight in the war, 11-year-old James is sent to live with his mill-town relatives and his cousin, Billy. In this unfamiliar world of poverty, bullying, and uncertainty, James fights to be accepted and learns the true value of friendship and family.
Touching, funny and firmly rooted on the jute-ridden streets of the Scottish mill-town, The God of all Small Boys was one of only three shortlisted for the 2015 Dundee Great War Children's Book Prize.
Some summers were made for growing up...
Dundee 1917. When his father goes to fight in the war, 11-year-old James is sent to live with his mill-town relatives and his cousin, Billy. In this unfamiliar world of poverty, bullying, and uncertainty, James fights to be accepted and learns the true value of friendship and family.
Touching, funny and firmly rooted on the jute-ridden streets of the Scottish mill-town, The God of all Small Boys was one of only three shortlisted for the 2015 Dundee Great War Children's Book Prize.
202 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 17, 2019
What a wonderful book. Perhaps it's the fact that's it's set during WWI, but it really does feel like an old, familiar classic as you're reading it. The characters are brilliant, their relationships so truly captured, and Lamb isn't afraid to break our hearts. Highly recommended for any age. Powerful writing.
June 3, 2020
I purchased this book at a book signing. It took us a while to get round to reading the book because quite honestly my boys have so many books but it was worth the wait.
We enjoyed the fact that the book was set in our hometown, recognising the places and streets referred to. Watching the friendships between the boys flourish and grow and see how the change from Broughty Ferry to Lochee impacted on James, changed him was lovely and we had some discussions about war, about friendships, thanks to the book. The ending of the book, which I wont go into because I dont want to spoil it, my eldest who is 11 was taken by surprise at events and commented that he thought this was meant to be a children’s book. As an adult reading it, I don’t think the event he was referring to was something that doesn’t belong in a children’s book and I think the author did a great job of describing it tactfully and sensitively. It was just rather unexpected - but please dont let that put you off reading the book because overall it is a lovely book and I certainly enjoyed reading it to my boys.
We enjoyed the fact that the book was set in our hometown, recognising the places and streets referred to. Watching the friendships between the boys flourish and grow and see how the change from Broughty Ferry to Lochee impacted on James, changed him was lovely and we had some discussions about war, about friendships, thanks to the book. The ending of the book, which I wont go into because I dont want to spoil it, my eldest who is 11 was taken by surprise at events and commented that he thought this was meant to be a children’s book. As an adult reading it, I don’t think the event he was referring to was something that doesn’t belong in a children’s book and I think the author did a great job of describing it tactfully and sensitively. It was just rather unexpected - but please dont let that put you off reading the book because overall it is a lovely book and I certainly enjoyed reading it to my boys.
July 2, 2019
A beautiful, heart-warming, unexpected and devastating read that captures both a simpler and somehow more complicated time magically. An unforgettable story that reminded me in places of the broken childhood innocence of Goodnight Mr Tom & the camaraderie of The Dead Poets Society. Quiet with a gently unassuming and effortless nostalgia this entire story will stay with you forever. The realities of living with war were captured exquisitely - how a visit from a green motorcycle and a piece of paper could turn your reality upside-down in an instant and cause such heartbreak. The last chapter on loss is one of the most incredible and haunting thing I have ever read.
Every person, young and old, should read this incredible story.
Every person, young and old, should read this incredible story.
October 24, 2019
The God of all Small Boys does well to encourage feelings of nostalgia for a place I have never visited. While reading through Joseph Lamb’s work I found myself smiling constantly, and completely engulfed in the story of James Gunning and his blood brothers. I could almost perfectly imagine them sitting together in their secret den, away from all the troubles the real world has to offer. It made me miss my childhood in a way I didn’t think was possible. This book is high in my recommendations and I truly hope Joseph Lamb continues to create amazing works of art with the likeness of the God of all Small Boys.
February 26, 2019
Set during WWI, 11 year- old James' father goes off to war while he is ripped from everything familiar in his well-to-do existence to live with his less fortunate aunt, uncle and cousins in the mill town of Dundee.
James must navigate a new environment and a cousin that doesn't like him amid the worry for his father.
A lovely historical novel with strong themes of friendship, growing up, and staying strong on the home front.
James must navigate a new environment and a cousin that doesn't like him amid the worry for his father.
A lovely historical novel with strong themes of friendship, growing up, and staying strong on the home front.
February 14, 2019
Dundee, August 1917 - the height of the Great War. 11-year-old James is devastated when his father is sent off to France, and he's suddenly ripped from his comfortable existence in well-to-do Broughty Ferry and his father's big house and servants. He's sent to live with his poor relatives in Lochee, where the air is thick with the smell of jute mills and his cousins sleep three to a bed.
Missing his father, struggling to fit in at school, and suffering from severe culture shock, he's having a miserable time. His cousin Billy isn't making things any better - Billy resents this little posh boy, this cuckoo in the nest, and they even come to blows. Eventually, through the intercession of Billy's friends, James is brought into their inner circle, and they all embark on a project to build a den - a project that will have dramatic consequences.
Full of rich, nostalgic detail of Dundee during the Great War, vividly depicting the constant fear of receiving a visit from the Telegram Man with terrible news from the front, and redolent of the insecurities, rivalries, and triumphs of childhood, The God of All Small Boys is a powerful and dramatic coming-of-age story.
Missing his father, struggling to fit in at school, and suffering from severe culture shock, he's having a miserable time. His cousin Billy isn't making things any better - Billy resents this little posh boy, this cuckoo in the nest, and they even come to blows. Eventually, through the intercession of Billy's friends, James is brought into their inner circle, and they all embark on a project to build a den - a project that will have dramatic consequences.
Full of rich, nostalgic detail of Dundee during the Great War, vividly depicting the constant fear of receiving a visit from the Telegram Man with terrible news from the front, and redolent of the insecurities, rivalries, and triumphs of childhood, The God of All Small Boys is a powerful and dramatic coming-of-age story.
July 14, 2023
absolute heart rendering read!
Absolutely love this book. It takes you deep into the heart of a group of young boys in their quest for survival and fun during the war when the worse tragedy strikes. I found myself immersed in the moment and their pain imagining how it would have felt back then. Amazing description of Dundee and it’s surroundings. I wanted to be there living that in person as tragic as it was. Thank you for this amazing book Joe. Look forward to reading the next.
Absolutely love this book. It takes you deep into the heart of a group of young boys in their quest for survival and fun during the war when the worse tragedy strikes. I found myself immersed in the moment and their pain imagining how it would have felt back then. Amazing description of Dundee and it’s surroundings. I wanted to be there living that in person as tragic as it was. Thank you for this amazing book Joe. Look forward to reading the next.
April 8, 2019
It is 1917. Eleven year old James is torn from his comfortable rural upbringing when his widowed father goes to war. He gradually comes to terms with his new family against a background of urban poverty; and experiences the joys and sorrows of growing up, with the spectre of WWI ever-present.
This is a beautifully-written story of growing up in troubled times. And it was only at the end that I remembered it is a children's book. This adult thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
This is a beautifully-written story of growing up in troubled times. And it was only at the end that I remembered it is a children's book. This adult thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
June 26, 2019
I loved this book, to the point that I made some pretty juvenile choices when it came to not switching the light off and reading on into the small hours.
I am not normally drawn to war stories. This is different - The God of All Small Boys covers the home front and subtly drops in period detail and local Dundee nostalgia without ever seeming twee or patronising. It doesn't shy away from grief, or from the reality of our flawed choices (in adults and children alike), but it is ultimately an utterly uplifting read. I learned a lot without ever realising I was learning.
And, by the way, that is pretty much the best compliment I can give a book. :)
I am not normally drawn to war stories. This is different - The God of All Small Boys covers the home front and subtly drops in period detail and local Dundee nostalgia without ever seeming twee or patronising. It doesn't shy away from grief, or from the reality of our flawed choices (in adults and children alike), but it is ultimately an utterly uplifting read. I learned a lot without ever realising I was learning.
And, by the way, that is pretty much the best compliment I can give a book. :)
April 22, 2019
Shortlisted for the Dundee Great War Children's Book Prize, The God of All Small Boys is a meticulously researched novel, with a strong sense of place. Joe Lamb tells the funny, sweet and sometimes heartbreaking story of 11-year-old James, who is sent to live with relatives in Dundee and has to fight a battle of his own to find acceptance and friendship. A highly recommended read!
May 27, 2025
Really enjoyed this story from 1917 Dundee mainly because I was brought up in the area. My wife went to St Mary's School, Lochee in 1950s and many of the places mentioned , I could see in my mind's eye. We too 'borrowed bits and pieces' from the builders as they built the new schemes. Tragedy was to come to young James but not from the direction I expected. Written for youngsters, it is a must for all ages.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews