*Shortlisted

Review by Alara, Sheen Mount Primary School, Richmond
Rivet Boy is about 12-year-old John who works at the Forth Bridge construction site in the 1880s. I would rate this book a four out of five stars because some of the vocabulary was very tricky, especially “briggers” and the parts of the bridge. I didn't understand which part or where everything was on the bridge so it would help if there was a page at the beginning that explained all the terms with images, a diagram of some sort, or a glossary. Other than that, I would highly recommend this book as it isn't just about history and the bridge, there is also action and adventure, as well as lots of characters, people who aren't on the construction site, animals, and a story about what is happening at home as the main character has to support his family. This book is informative, includes real people and events, well-written and is neither too short nor long. I highly recommend this book, even for people who aren’t that interested in history!

Review by Ethan, The Kingston Academy
‘Rivet Boy’ is about the life of John Nicol twelve years after his dad lost his life in 1876 and left his wife and John in Scotland. It is quite interesting that this book is set in the Victorian Era and referred to the Prince and a shah from another country. John Nicol’s family was having a financial problem as his dey (grandfather) became old. He became the breadwinner and had no choice but to give up school.

He successfully got a job at the Forth Bridge construction site. As his twelve birthday approached, he met Mr Peebles in the library and started working the day after. Unfortunately, he was sent to work with Cain Murdochs as his boss alongside his two sons as a group. Mr Murdochs, his boss, was evil and John encountered lots of hardship during his work.

However, as time passed he met new friends during his adventures like Cora. She influenced John to become tougher and more self-confident which helped him a lot when facing his boss.

I find John’s friend Cora the most interesting because she was very brave and was not scared of many things. She even went past the securities and successfully got an autograph from one of the famous people in the book. It was quite interesting when she was able to go past people during a protest.

I learnt about some of the key figures in the construction of the Forth Bridge in Scotland including William Arrol, who also built Tower Bridge in London. I also further understood what the women were like during the Victorian era. Cora was a girl and she wanted to be an engineer, but it was not popular for a woman to be an engineer. In the book, I briefly know about a woman engineer called Margaret Moir which is quite fascinating. Also, I now know how people at that time construct a bridge - they heat up and throw rivets. It is absolutely amazing!

This book is rather intense and spine-tingling with a setting of the Forth Bridge. The author’s style is quite gloomy in this book as he used repetition of negative words like ‘I want to tear it, stamp on it, slash it.’ It is quite good that Barbara Henderson used some fife Scottish words like dey to make the story sound more realistic. Although this book is not very long, it is very exciting as I went from sad to shocked to relaxed.

I would definitely recommend this book to people who like adventures and are interested in the construction of the Forth Bridge in Scotland.

Review by Kari, Parliament Hill School, Camden, London
In "Rivet Boy," Barbara Henderson crafts a narrative that transports readers to the Victorian era, reflecting on the shift towards modernity. The story centres around John Nicol, a young boy thrust into the adult world of bridge construction, and Cora, whose experiences offer insight into the lives of young girls at the time. The plot, while maintaining a gentle pace, delivers excitement and surprises. The addition of Rusty the squirrel provides a light-hearted contrast to the novel's more serious themes. The book's historical setting not only enriches the narrative but also provides a poignant commentary on the era's social and technological changes. Despite certain slow-moving sections, "Rivet Boy" is a deeply engaging read, offering a unique perspective on historical events through the lens of its well-drawn characters. It's a compelling recommendation for readers seeking a story that combines historical accuracy with the adventures and challenges of its young protagonist.