Conkers Series by Tom Palmer 7 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
Armistice Runner
D-Day Dog
After the War
Over the Line
Arctic Star
Resist
Angel of Grasmere (Novel)

Format: Paperback

Overview:
Seven brisk, history-forward adventures sit at the heart of the Tom Palmer Conkers Series collection. This set gathers Armistice Runner, D-Day Dog, After the War, Over the Line, Arctic Star, Resist, and Angel of Grasmere, offering a cohesive portal into two world wars seen through the eyes of brave, curious young protagonists. Each title blends authentic historical detail with accessible pacing, making complex moments of loss, courage and endurance feel real and relatable for readers aged roughly 9–13. The Barrington Stoke imprint underpins these tales with clear typography and a focus on readability, helping reluctant readers or those who crave fast-moving plots stay engaged. Whether you’re building a classroom library, searching for a meaningful gift set, or expanding a personal wartime-read collection, this seven-book bundle delivers immersive storytelling, memorable characters, and timeless lessons about resilience, empathy, and hope across generations.

What This Collection Covers:
Across seven distinct narratives, this collection charts a century of conflict and consequence—from the trenches of 1914 to the home front during Dunkirk and beyond. Readers follow young people who navigate fear, family ties, and moments of moral choice within vivid settings: running on rugged fells, beaches at D-Day, Lakeland summers after liberation, and frozen Arctic convoys. The books interweave personal growth with historical context, inviting readers to consider how ordinary acts of bravery—keeping faith with a friend, standing up to peril, or enduring hardship—shape lives long after the battles end. Together, the titles form a coherent arc about memory, belonging, and the quiet courage that sustains communities under pressure.

Book-by-Book Guide:
Armistice Runner follows Lily as she wrestles with performance and anxiety while coping with her gran’s battle with Alzheimer’s. When she uncovers her great-great-grandfather’s World War I diaries, Lily discovers a family history of resilience that mirrors her own struggle to stay steady on the fell runs she loves. The diary entries illuminate the past with vivid immediacy, helping Lily reframe fear as fuel for perseverance and direction. This story threads sport, memory, and intergenerational connection into a moving, message-filled adventure that speaks to readers who chase personal bests while trying to understand their roots.

D-Day Dog centers on Jack as he braces for a school trip to the D-Day beaches, eager to discover the heroes who inspired his father’s Reserve service. When his father is called away and news from the front arrives, Jack must reconcile the heroism he admires with the ordinary realities of family life. The narrative mixes history with family loyalty, exploring how courage shows up in small, everyday choices and how memory can shape our sense of duty and belonging.

After the War lands in the English Lake District in the summer of 1945, where Yossi, Leo and Mordecai—recent refugees who survived Nazi camps—begin to find a new place in a world rebuilding itself. The trio’s arrival in a peaceful landscape contrasts with the trauma they carry, inviting readers to witness resilience, friendship, and the slow reconstruction of trust through shared experience and communal welcome.

Over the Line delves into the 1914 onset of war, where a young narrator recalls the terror and awe of being above the parapet. The story captures the visceral memory of shellfire, cold rain, and the constant awareness of danger, while also centering on moments of camaraderie and moral choice that withstand the test of time. Timeless themes of duty, fear, and personal responsibility emerge through intimate scenes and stark history.

Arctic Star follows Royal Navy recruits in winter 1943 as they sail toward Russia to deliver vital supplies. The Arctic convoy mission tests courage, teamwork and endurance against brutal seas and ferocious weather. The characters’ friendships deepen as they confront danger, sacrifice, and the weight of duty, offering a compelling meditation on collective resilience under extreme pressure.

Resist chronicles life under Nazi occupation in the Netherlands, where ordinary Dutch citizens face peril and moral dilemma as the war drags on. The narrative foregrounds resistance, risk, and perseverance in a world where every choice carries consequence, making the human cost of oppression palpable and personal.

Angel of Grasmere (Novel) is set in 1940, as Tarn struggles with loss during the Dunkirk period and searches the hills around the Lake District with friends. Their independence and curiosity drive them to uncover acts of kindness that hint at healing amid upheaval, offering a poignant portrait of youth navigating fear, friendship, and hopeful possibility in a time of danger.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This collection is ideal for middle-grade readers who love history-driven adventures with relatable protagonists. It suits classrooms exploring World War I and II themes, families seeking family-friendly wartime narratives, and gift buyers looking for a complete, cricket-and-hell-raising reading experience that builds historical empathy. Fans of character-focused fiction, accessible historical fiction, and stories about resilience and bravery will find this set particularly appealing. It also serves as a strong entry point for readers transitioning from shorter chapter books to more substantial novels, offering seven distinct journeys with a common, meaningful through-line about courage and community.

Key Benefits:

• Seven complete, era-spanning stories in one handy set
• Engaging historical fiction that’s accessible to younger readers
• Strong character-led narratives that build empathy and resilience
• Versatile for classroom discussions, family reading, or gift-giving
• Clear pacing with vivid settings that spark imagination
• Consistent themes of courage, memory, and belonging across titles

About the Author:
Tom Palmer is a prolific writer of children’s historical and sports fiction whose work brings history to life through the eyes of young protagonists. Known for clear storytelling, well-researched settings, and emotionally resonant journeys, Palmer blends real events with intimate character growth. His Conkers series—complete with Armistice Runner, D-Day Dog, After the War, Over the Line, Arctic Star, Resist, and Angel of Grasmere—offers accessible entry points to complex periods of the 20th century, while preserving the immediacy and vitality of youth. Readers trust his voice for respectful portrayal of difficult topics, balanced by warmth, hope, and genuine human connection. This collection showcases his signature blend of courage, curiosity, and compassion across seven distinct, memorable adventures.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you’re assembling a thoughtful, history-rich reading collection, this seven-title set delivers depth without heaviness. Each story stands alone yet shares a cohesive thread of resilience across generations, inviting readers to reflect on bravery, family, and community. The compact format makes the series easy to gift, collect, and read aloud in class or at home, while the vivid historical settings offer ample entry points for discussion and inquiry. Owning the full Conkers collection means instant access to a curated journey through the wars—perfect for reluctant readers who crave momentum and vivid imagery, and for curious minds who want to understand how ordinary kids faced extraordinary times.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.