YA. HISTORICAL FICTION. Bill is a 15-year-old runaway evacuee, and he's finding that surviving on the streets of London is pretty easy. He's fed by a local cafe owner, he earns some cash as a barrow-boy in Covent Garden, and sleeping in the Underground air-raid shelters is cosy - if a bit smelly. Things get more complicated with the arrival of Julie. She's a runaway too and, although she's a bit posh, she's just as determined as Bill to stay free of interfering parents and the 'social'. For a while they have fun ducking Jerry missiles and camping in bombed-out houses, but soon the reality of the Blitz sets in. Playing grown-ups can be a very dangerous game. First published in 1970, and winner of that year's Book World Festival Award, FIREWEED evokes a time of tin Spitfires, powdered eggs, woollen mittens and reading by firelight. This classic is full of adventure, heroism and British wartime courage. Ages 12+