Author: Tanya Landman
Publisher: Barrington Stokes

Political tensions are heightening on the streets of Stepney, and as Oswald Mosley comes to power, brother and sister Mikey and Elsie begin to see friendships torn apart. Award-winning author Tanya Landman explores the rise of antisemitic fascism in 1930s London in this gripping new story.

Life has always been tough on the streets of Stepney, where Mikey and Elsie are growing up in a vermin-infested slum nicknamed “Paradise.”

But the rise of antisemitic fascist Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts in the 1930s stirs up trouble between families who have lived closely together for years, and Elsie sees friendships torn apart.

When Elsie and Mikey attend a Mosley rally, intending to heckle and cause trouble, they soon see how dangerous the situation has become. But out in the streets the fascists find that people will stand and fight against them and against hatred in what becomes the dramatic Battle of Cable Street.

This is a highly creative way of retelling a significant part of history. The author did a tremendous job finding ways to incorporate real life events into fictional characters. It is like watching a documentary series and feeling nostalgic and entertained at the same time.

The pace fits the genre. The first-person point of view is a good choice for this kind of storytelling. The writing style suits a young-adult audience; the book does not bombard with facts and politics, but offers a mix of entertainment and naivety to which youth will relate.

Halfway through, the narrative shifts away from some vital characters that were dwelled on heavily at the story’s start. However, the way in which facts are introduced in a gradual flow, balances that apparent weakness.

I admire how the book talks about a lesser-known point of history. We tend to be familiar with what mainstream media has told us about World War II, but this book highlights one of the precedents of that war. It gives value; it keeps the story alive by sharing it with the next generation. Highly recommended for readers passionate about world history, culture and politics.

- Kevin Velayo