Trouble on cable street was a really interesting read for me.
The story is set in the backdrop of 1930s London in the east end. The history geek in me loved several things about it. Firstly I loved seeing the social history seen through the book. You really get a feel for the divide between the rich and poor and how most families lived on that poverty line to the point where they struggled to pay for the basics like food and medical care. I loved the detail any how you get that feel for how life was like for people at the time. The book also looks at the politics at the time. In the years before the Second World War Fascism was building a huge following across Europe. Most people know about Hitler and Mussolini and might have a vague idea about the Spanish Civil War happening but I've struggled to find anything in historical fiction aimed at children which references the British Fascists led by Oswald Moseley. This book focuses on the impact they had and the way they started to gain a following in the east end, the following they had and the policies they wanted to introduce to the UK which mirrored those of Nazi Germany.
I also loved this book because it had a young female led who was easy to relate to and a fabulous role model to the intended audience. I loved how she knew her own mind and was happy to stand on her own two feet and speak out against the things she thinks are wrong with the world.
A fantastic read which I enjoyed and a perfect example of how I think historical fiction should be done. It is engaging, fast paced and historically accurate doing justice to the times and people involved. Definitely a book I shall be pushing into the hands of my students whilst studying modern history
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