Local children’s author Jamie Russell has released his fourth novel for young readers, Mech Brigade, a futuristic science fiction story aimed at readers aged 9 to 12.
Published by Walker Books, Mech Brigade follows 13-year-old protagonist Miles, who is recruited into a force of child soldiers trained to pilot giant robotic machines, known as “mechs,” in a battle against monstrous alien creatures called the Spinners. The plot takes a dramatic turn when Miles is paired with a rogue AI mech named Ironclad, prompting him to question the authority figures he’s been taught to trust.
“I grew up in the 1980s reading action-packed kids’ sci-fi novels like StarStormers and The Tripods,” Russell said. “Those books were my gateway into grown-up literature. Mech Brigade is my version of that kind of story—giant robots, even bigger alien spiders, and a deeper message about following orders versus standing up for what’s right.”
Russell noted the challenge of capturing the attention of modern young readers, who face a wide range of digital distractions.
“With video games, streaming platforms, and social media competing for kids’ attention, I’ve written Mech Brigade with even the most reluctant reader in mind. It’s a fast-paced, high-stakes story designed to hook readers from the first page,” he said.
Russell is best known for his Skywake trilogy, also published by Walker Books. The first installment, Skywake Invasion, was selected for the BookTrust School Library Pack, resulting in 20,000 copies being distributed to schools across the UK. The trilogy has since been published internationally and adapted into audiobooks.
Beyond writing, Russell has actively promoted literacy by speaking at schools, libraries, literary festivals, and events organized by the National Literacy Trust, including one at Aston Villa Football Club.
“I never set out to be a children’s author, so it’s a privilege to now be speaking directly to young readers,” he said. “I always tell people that a ‘reluctant reader’ is just someone who hasn’t found the right book yet. And when they do, that spark can change everything—from their academic success to their future happiness.”
Mech Brigade is now available from major booksellers nationwide.
