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Camp X #4
Shell Shocked
Jack and George have assumed new identities and are back at work as special operatives, keeping an eye out for suspicious activity at an ammunitions plant. They don't have to wait long before they uncover a plot by German spies to blow up the plant and everyone in it! It's up to the quickthinking boys to find a way to stop them and stay alive while doing it ...
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
7 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
158 books909 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 14, 2021
I have to say, as a grown woman I am somewhat outside the target audience for this book, but Walters crafts such a good story that my being outside the target demographics mattered not at all.
I have really been enjoying this series overall and found something particularly satisfying in this book of the series. I really appreciated the development of the protagonist George and his brother Jack. I also appreciated that their mother was given a bit of a stronger role in the book, though she still only has a small part (it is a boys' adventure story after all 😉). I also appreciated that while Walters gave space for his characters to grow and become (and remain, because they always were) 'real', this author never forgets that the book is an adventure-mystery story. The plot moves along at a good clip, with a fair amount of excitement and danger and suspense involved. I enjoyed learning about the historical facts of the ammunitions plant, while also feeling happy, scared, sad, etc. for the charactres involved.
I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
I have really been enjoying this series overall and found something particularly satisfying in this book of the series. I really appreciated the development of the protagonist George and his brother Jack. I also appreciated that their mother was given a bit of a stronger role in the book, though she still only has a small part (it is a boys' adventure story after all 😉). I also appreciated that while Walters gave space for his characters to grow and become (and remain, because they always were) 'real', this author never forgets that the book is an adventure-mystery story. The plot moves along at a good clip, with a fair amount of excitement and danger and suspense involved. I enjoyed learning about the historical facts of the ammunitions plant, while also feeling happy, scared, sad, etc. for the charactres involved.
I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
March 16, 2021
The 4th of 6 books in the Camp X series. My sons and I are still loving it and can’t wait to start book #5! If you are looking for a series to read with your 7-12 year old boys, I highly recommend this one.
June 16, 2024
This book is another very good pre-teen novel in the Camp X series. My son loves this series. I am rating these books as pre-teen books; they are not really meant for adult readers. For the age group they are intended, the books are very well-done.
October 21, 2017
It was good
April 3, 2018
I liked it but it is not one of my favourite books ever
November 14, 2021
It had a good amount of action in it. It kind of is getting rid of the history content within WW2 but it a fun read. Would recommend for a easier history read.
October 8, 2024
Better storyline than the previous books. Finally one of the child “agents” kills a German enemy.
February 19, 2025
Starts out a little slow but, in the end, it's a real page turner. Best one yet.
September 14, 2025
This one may be more appropriate for 11+. The earlier books are more 9+. Either that or read it with your child and have the hard conversations.
May 25, 2015
The fourth in a series about Camp X, the WWII spy training school in Ontario-Eric Walters creates an exciting young adult fiction about two boys who have a knack for intelligence and save the day when Nazi secret agents try to blow up a munitions factory. Besides the larger than life action/adventure, young readers will gain historical understanding about the war effort at home and the part women played, along with the life and death dangers of the intelligence service on the home front. Would love the see 'historical notes' included as an appendix, and could do without the reference to the brother getting a 'hickey'. Appreciate that the brothers have an obvious camaraderie and care for each other.
January 10, 2014
This is the 4th book in the Camp X series and the second one which I have read. Aimed at young readers, these books tell the tale of two brothers who have a habit of getting themselves involved in all sorts of hazardous war-time adventures because of their insatiable curiosity. While it would have helped reading the 2 books directly before this one, the novels till works as a stand-alone and does reveal some Canadian history which is very interesting and not very well known to the general public. I'm inspired to read some adult books on Camp X to learn more.
December 31, 2013
Deserves 3.5 stars.
Read
July 25, 2016good
November 17, 2016
Very good!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews