View source for Black Powder by Ally Sherrick

{{infobox2
|title=Black Powder
|author=Ally Sherrick
|reviewer= Tony Taylor
|genre=Confident Readers
|summary= The Gunpowder Plot in a fast-paced emotional story.  What an adventure. 
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=368
|publisher=Chicken House Ltd
|date=August 2016
|isbn=978-1910655269
|website=https://allysherrick.com/
|video=
|aznuk=1910655260
|aznus=1910655260
|cover=1910655260
}} 

''Black Powder ''follows a fictional account of the events leading up to November 5th 1605 – The Gunpowder Plot.  The story opens with Tom Garnett, a 12 year-old boy, witnessing the hanging of his neighbour for a crime he did not commit.  However being Catholic sealed his fate.  This opening event is told with caution which paints an appropriate picture for a children's story.  Tom's father, also a good Catholic man, helps a struggling priest by giving him shelter for the night and attempts to guide him to safety along the road to London.  Unfortunately, the police hear of these kind deeds, which is against the King's rule and through forced information they set off to arrest his father.    Knowing what lays ahead, Tom sets out to warn his father and so sets the scene for this exciting tale.

I didn't know too much about the Gunpowder Plot and this era, apart from the basic information and knowledge of Guy Fawkes: ''Remember remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.  We see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot''.  Ally Sherrick has created a thoroughly believable, convincing and eye opening portrayal of this event.  Characters, although fictional, are based upon real people who were all influential in the failed attack on parliament.  Throughout this time a law was put in place which stated that the very presence of a Catholic priest in England was treason and it was made a felony for anyone to shelter or assist them. Treason and felony were capital crimes and as a result many Catholics were to suffer death under these laws. As a Primary School teacher, I love books which provide children with an understanding of significant events and eras in history told through fictional stories.  Children will be able to visualise people's houses and clothes, the towns and cities, the food, language and atmosphere of the time.  This wonderful novel provides a rich representation of life in 1605 alongside this notable event.

On the back cover of the book there are three words: rip-roaring, historical and adventurous.  These are three perfect words to describe ''Black Powder''.  At its heart, ''Black Powder'' is a wonderful adventure story, faced paced and the short chapters make you want to read just a bit more every time.  The plot is told at an appropriate level – not too many or too few characters.  There are plenty of twists and turns along the way which kept me on the edge of my seat.  I also felt great empathy towards Tom and I am sure children will also feel this emotional attachment throughout his journey.  Overall, this is a fantastic novel with brilliant characters, a great adventure and a dollop of historical atmosphere. 

For further reading I would suggest the brilliant [[Street Child by Berlie Doherty]].  This story also follows the journey of a boy alone in search of his family and equally leaves you with empathy for the characters.  

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