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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Is anyone teaching WW2 this term who would like a free personalised letter for their class from me? If so, please DM me your class name and an email address and I'll send one over 😀

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

If you're looking for a new read for the 9-12 year old in your life then this could be it. The Disappearing Diamond - an action-packed Victorian heist story - is totally free on Kindle today and tomorrow. If you like it, give it a review 😇

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

The last instalment of my character profiles from The Blitz Bus. Stan is also a boy who arrived on the Kindertransport, but his experience was less ideal. No foster family to start with and a general feeling of not being welcome draws a parallel with the cosy experience Jan had at the same time.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

The Kindertransport story is such an important tale of humanity and sacrifice - children sent across Europe to escape the worst of WW2 by parents they often never saw again. Jan is my sub-character who experiences the positive side of this and finds a loving foster family in London.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

When I was growing up, all the WW2 books I read were about boys. I was really keen with my own book in this genre to have a strong female main character. Emmie is the smart one of the pair - compassionate and resilient, especially when things get tough.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Cracking My Chemical Romance concert at Wembley last night. It meant I had to watch most of the football on my phone in an everlasting queue for the Tube, but I definitely wasn't the only one 🤣

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I often get asked about my characters on school visits, so I've put a few posts together explaining a bit about them and why I wrote them specifically. This series will all be about The Blitz Bus.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Just finished this cracker by @stephenronson.bsky.social. I love the Jack Reacher books, so when I saw the cover quote I was already keen. Definitely not disappointed - this was an action-packed page turner which cost me a decent chunk of time I should have been asleep each night!

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

As we say thanks to our mums on Mother's Day, spare a thought for those wartime mums who had very little to sustain their families with. This picture represents the wartime weekly ration allowance for 2 adults in 1943!

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

What a week! Blending the day job with my author life saw me arranging two events at work for International Women's Day, getting to sit in a truck and also giving a virtual author visit to a lovely school in the West Midlands. Fun all round 😁

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Half term fun - proper family time with some bits of history thrown in too (obvs 🤣)

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

So I do hear this from time to time 😀 In short, I love to write, but I also love sharing interesting bits of history too. I found history a bit boring at school, so by creating punchy 10 minute episodes on different topics, I hope others will be encouraged to listen and learn 🤞

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

So pleased to see my little history podcast, started as an experiment to make history a bit more interesting in school has reached 1,000 streams 😊 Not a load by some standards, but I'm well chuffed!

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Took the girls to the local library today. Books for free, order anything they don't have, even sit and read for a while? Truly magic! Don't forget your local library for budget reading. Plus authors get a few pennies each time you borrow a book - so winning all round really 😀

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

If you are teaching the Romans this year, then History Through Today's Eyes has a new podcast episode for you. In all the usual places, including Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0blL...

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Just a pond I'd walked past loads of times... or not. This is the crash site of a B17 bomber in 1945 from a nearby airfield. It crashed on take-off after suffering engine failure, with 5 of the 9 crew sadly killed. Last month this lovely memorial was dedicated at the site.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

As we remember the terrible tragedy of the Holocaust today, spare a thought too for those kind people who organised the Kindertransport - rescuing almost 10,000 mainly Jewish children from Europe in the days before WW2.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

I love the little nuggets you find when researching a book - like the fact that Bethnal Green tube station was incomplete in WW2 and the tracks were boarded over to provide sleeping accommodation as an air-raid shelter. There was even a library and theatre inside!

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Watched a couple of episodes of this last night and remembered how much I loved it back in the day. On reflection, I'm pretty sure this is where I got my fascination with WW2 time travel 🥰

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Some of my favourite WW2 middle grade books. All have a slightly different slant to some of the commonly read class texts and would be good for a teacher wanting to switch it up this term.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

History is all around us and doesn't have to just live in books. You can see and touch it on a walk not far from your house. I wonder who waited for invasion in the pillbox, hid from bombs in the air-raid shelter and worked in the ROC plotting room...?

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

As an author, I feel privileged (and also responsible) in helping encourage children to read. This year, the National Year of Reading can hopefully shine a stronger light on this amazing activity and those who champion it. These are my focus areas this year.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

So, 5 free copies of The Blitz Bus downloaded so far, plus 3 99p copies of the other books. Promo going well so far 😀 If you fancy a free read - amzn.to/48zhyfZ

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

During WW2, the Soviet Union had a regiment of female pilots who flew night raids against German forces. To maintain the element of surprise, they would switch their engines off as they approached their target. 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Teachers - do you have any reluctant or disadvantaged readers in your class? I like to give away a few books at Christmas where the need is greatest - if you would like to nominate a pupil, please DM with their first name & reason. I'll pick some and contact those teachers to arrange sending out. 📚🎁

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Why, as a children's author, do I like writing podcast episodes too? Simple - I love to blend education with entertainment. If I write fiction with an educational slant, then hopefully I can also create podcast episodes helping children understand key moments from history.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

🎙️New episode alert🎙️ Bitesize introduction to life in Victorian London - suitable for KS2. open.spotify.com/episode/7Mnh...

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Planning some writing today, using the 3 Act Method. I always liken it to a rollercoaster (hence the line on the page) as it helps me build the tension in the right places 📚

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

This gas lamp is powered by.... farts! Sited in Carting Lane, just off the Strand, it is London's last surviving sewer gas lamp - designed to burn off excess methane built up in the Victorian sewer system. These days though, it burns biogas from a sewage treatment works instead.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Educating our children today on the decisions and consequences of the past is the best way ensure all those who suffered are not forgotten. We can then hope this leads to a better tomorrow. Here are some favourite books which I feel give a rounded view on WW2. #RemembranceSunday

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Fancy a hotel with a sea view? For German pilots shot down over the Channel during WW2, this rescue buoy would have been a welcome sight. Equipped with 4 bunks, rations and electric light, it could provide safe accommodation until a seaplane or rescue launch... 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Looking for a new half term read??? The Disappearing Diamond is a classic Victorian adventure but with a twist - Jack and Emmie are from the present day! How will they navigate 1850's London to find the stolen diamond and get home again???

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

What's unusual about these houses in Bayswater, London??? Well, they're just a facade - literally! 23-24 Leinster Gardens, not far from Bayswater tube station, were demolished in the 1860's so the Metropolitan line could be built - using the shallow cut and cover technique. 🧵1/3

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

Imagine a gun so powerful it could shell London from 100+ miles away. Germany built it during WWII. Meet the terrifying V-3 supergun. It used multiple sequential charges along the barrel to boost projectile speed - a giant, experimental cannon. 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 05/10/2025

For anyone teaching WW2 this term, History Through Today's Eyes has a number of bite-sized 10 minute episodes on topics like the Battle of Britain, the Blitz and how WW2 started. Available in all the usual places - let me know if you have any requests for future episodes too. 🎙️

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

📚Teachers - fancy a free virtual author visit to support your WW2 topic? I'm taking bookings for this term and the visit is totally free when you buy 4 books from me (£7.99 each plus P&P). Please DM me for further details/to book, or have a look at www.glenblackwell.com/schoolvisits/

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Teaching the Maya this term? History Through Today's Eyes has a new episode cramming in loads of content about the ancient civilisation in just 10 minutes. Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/02z8... #edusky

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Did you know Japan once tried to bomb the USA using balloons? It sounds wild, but it really happened during WWII. Japan launched over 9,000 hydrogen-filled balloons called Fu-Go, each carrying explosives. 🧵1/3

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

On 1st Sept 1939, as Germany invaded Poland and war became a reality around them, the last group of children left Berlin on the Kindertransport, bound for Britain. Over 10,000 children had been brought to safety via this route in the lead up to WW2.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Teachers - do you have a reading corner/wall in your classroom? Very happy to send a personalised letter encouraging reading to your class if you DM me the class name and an email address. Perfect if you are teaching WW2 this term too 📚 #edusky

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

If you are teaching WW2 this coming term, these are some of my favourite books arranged by theme. Some will be on every class bookshelf and others are a bit less well-known. I've enjoyed them all 📚

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Reposted by Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes

Lindsay Littleson @lindsaylittleson.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

If you would like your pupils to come back to school to a letter from an author about the joys and benefits of reading for pleasure, just email or DM me.

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Did you know this Japanese soldier kept fighting for 29 years after the end of WW2??? With the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, this story takes on a special significance. Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda refused to believe the war had ended in 1945 and went into hiding... 🧵1/3

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 03/08/2025

If you're looking for a new summer read for the 8-12 year old in your life, look no further 😊

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 02/08/2025

These fences aren't quite what they seem... During WW2, a lot of railings around the UK were cut down so the metal could be used for the war effort. You can often see the stumps of railings in front of older houses on the top of low walls... 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

A long-abandoned Tube station used by Churchill for meetings during WW2??? Tell me more... Down Street station closed in 1932 due to lack of use & proximity to Green Park & Hyde Park Corner stations. As Britain prepared for war, it was chosen as a secret bunker location... 🧵1/3

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Ever heard of a Stanton shelter? Thought not... I found these WW2 relics on a local walk recently - they lie on land which was once a US bomber base. The Stanton shelter was an air-raid shelter typically made of 18 pre-cast concrete arches, bolted together at the top. 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

A secret underground factory in a Tube station??? When researching The Blitz Bus, I discovered that part of the Central line in London (between Leytonstone and Gants Hill) was turned into an electronics factory in WW2. That part of the Tube wasn't finished at the time... 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Did you know... that Poland had a bear who officially served in the military in WW2? In 1942, a group of Polish soldiers were evacuated from the Soviet Union and made their way to Iran. Along the way, they found and befriended a brown bear who they named Wojtek. 🧵1/2

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Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes @gblackwellbooks.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

As we approach the summer holidays, here's a reminder of some excellent WW2 books for 9-12 year olds 📚

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