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The Bombs That Brought Us Together
- Author
- Brian Conaghan
- Narrator
- Thomas Judd
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 20 August 2026
- Run Time
- 7 hours 39 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
WINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2016
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Law has lived in Little Town, on the border with Old Country, all his life. He knows the rules: no going out after dark; no drinking; no litter; no fighting. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the people who run Little Town. When he meets Pavel Duda, a refugee from Old Country, the rules start to get broken. Then the bombs come, and the soldiers from Old Country, and Little Town changes for ever.
Sometimes, to keep the people you love safe, you have to do bad things. As Little Town's rules crumble, Charlie is sucked into a dangerous game. There's a gun, and a bad man, and his closest friend, and his dearest enemy.
Charlie Law wants to keep everyone happy, even if it kills him. And maybe it will ...
Perfect for readers of Patrick Ness, John Boyne and Malorie Blackman.
Critics Review
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A dark, powerful tale of survival, morality and loyalty
Scotsman
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A clever, entertaining and engaging piece of writing ... very carefully composed and gradually seducing its readers with its sense of fun, detail and, as appropriate, seriousness.
Irish Times
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The Bombs That Brought Us Together has all the warmth and humour of Mr Dog whilst also dealing with some pretty heavyweight issues, including immigration and cultural identity … Phenomenal
Sarah Crossan
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I loved When Mr Dog Bites and have been wondering what he would do next. And it’s utterly different. But equally remarkable …
Bookbag
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In this novel Brian Conaghan shows us that he is absolute master at creating believable, funny, brave and vulnerable young male characters
School Librarian
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This accomplished new novel establishes him as a major talent. It’s incredibly powerful and thought-provoking on big issues such as nationalism, war and refugees, and poses some challenging moral questions. It’s also brilliantly funny with characters that you will really root for.
Editor’s Choice, Bookseller
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Brian Conaghan
- Narrator
- Thomas Judd
- Duration
- 7 hours 39 minutes
- Release Date
- 20 August 2026
- ISBN
- 9781037211584
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Speculative, dystopian and utopian fiction, Children’s / Teenage social topics: War and conflict issues, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Friends and friendships
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents The Bombs That Brought Us Together by Brian Conaghan, read by Thomas JuddWINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2016Fourteen-year-old Charlie Law has lived in Little Town, on the border with Old Country, all his life. He knows the rules: no going out after dark; no drinking; no litter; no fighting. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the people who run Little Town. When he meets Pavel Duda, a refugee from Old Country, the rules start to get broken. Then the bombs come, and the soldiers from Old Country, and Little Town changes for ever. Sometimes, to keep the people you love safe, you have to do bad things. As Little Town's rules crumble, Charlie is sucked into a dangerous game. There's a gun, and a bad man, and his closest friend, and his dearest enemy. Charlie Law wants to keep everyone happy, even if it kills him. And maybe it will ...Perfect for readers of Patrick Ness, John Boyne and Malorie Blackman.
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