I’ve been struggling to read a bit lately, so I thought some children’s lit would help me out and I was correct. I looked forward to picking up Boy in the Tower every time I put it down, and it was super fast to read. I used to have a serious thing for survivor stories - how people band together in distressing times, the new normal (sorry to use that phrase). This book delivered on all that, after concrete-eating plants take over London, demolishing buildings one by one. Only Ade’s tower remains, where he lives with his mam.

If you also enjoy books with age-gap friendships, you’ll love this. Ade, Dory and Obi are adorable, and their friendship even made me tear up at times. Middle grade was perfect for right now, as despite all the death (a surprising amount!), there was ultimately hope and a happy ending.

I also appreciated the sensitive portrayal of a woman suffering PTSD (presumably, it’s not explicitly stated) unable to go outside. Polly Ho-Yen really nailed how helpless Ade must have felt with his mam, but his love and support of her never wavered. 

A great little library find! And now I want to read more books set in tower blocks.