New Releases by Bernard Ashley

A strange tattoo triggers a surprising turn of events in this tense contemporary drama from master teen writer, Bernard Ashley. Sofia Drake wants a tattoo - a tattoo all of her own, where her parents won't see it. And when she's introduced to Sol Marks, a genius young tattooist, Sofia falls in love with his arty, original designs. But when Sofia's dad sees his daughter's new body art his reaction sets in motion a series of events no one could have anticipated. An enticingly original contemporary story of art, love and the power of creativity. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 12+

A brilliantly diverse story of life in multicultural modern Britain, inspired by a true story of a little girl's connection with her Mum.

When the dam begins to crack open, and the water begins to overflow, Tom knows he's in trouble. But who is the mysterious stranger who comes to his rescue?

Across Europe, the horror of war is destroying lives and separating families. Yield or fight? When tragedy strikes Freddie's family, he and his soldier brother must go on the run, battling for their survival. Jump or burn? Without a parachute, that's the choice Ernst knows he will face if his Zeppelin is shot down. Bravery takes different forms. How far would you go to stand up for what's right?

"Nadine is afraid of London, and of her memories, and especially for her father, who didn't get out of Goma with the family. But then a kind teacher shows Nadine a photo of home, and Nadine learns to dream again"--Publisher's website.

Meet Nerissa, Kompel, Ugaso and Kim - they all have stories to be told from their lives, sometimes quiet, sometimes dramatic, but each one of them has faced up to their own kind of challenge.

Life is not easy for fifteen-year-old Charlie Peat. He is living alone in London, while his guitarist father is on tour abroad and his mother is in a care home suffering from the psychological after-effects of a bomb explosion. He has to cope with all the normal problems of everyday life while keeping up the pretence to his grandparents that he is not in fact living alone, and worrying about his father touring in the notoriously unstable country of Trajanov, where terrorism is rife. And this terrorism is about to threaten Charlie far too close to home ... In this thrilling book Bernard Ashley skillfully interweaves Charlie's story and that of his father in Trajanov into a complex multi-layered narrative which sensitively explores the effects of urban terrorism on young people today.

It is 1940, and Ronnie Warren is a street-smart 11-year-old living with his mum in south London while his father is away fighting with the army. Ronnie's story starts during the Blitz, when he climbs bravely through bomb rubble to rescue his mother and his aunt. Evacuated to Lancashire, he stands up to a sadistic teacher and embarks on a pre-teen romance. Back in London, his mum hears that her husband is missing, presumed killed. Ronnie believes she has fallen for a GI and makes a fool of himself - but patches things up. VE Day brings joy mixed with grief for Ronnie, knowing that his dad is dead - but a surprise telegram brings unbelievable news.

Makis and his mother Sofia escape a devastating Greek earthquake which has claimed his father's life. They move to North London and at first it is hard, especially at school, but being a gifted footballer, Makis slowly begins to fit in. But through no fault of his own, Makis lets down his team at an important match and the whole school, even the teachers, seem to turn against him. Praise for Angel Boy: "Ashley excels at tautly-potted, timely and highly topical thrillers which pack a real emotional punch." - Rivetting Reads "This perfectly plotted thriller." - Bookseller

As top reporter at Zephon TV, Ben Maddox is used to breaking the news - and sometimes he even makes it. When he is sent to investigate the situation on Kutuliza, he finds himself face-to-face with slick politicians, guerrilla fighters and a young footballer who is the hope of his people. Ben has to put everything on the line - including his life...

When Kaninda survives a brutal attack on his village in East Africa he joins the rebel army, where he's trained to carry weapons, and use them. But aid workers take him to London, to a new family and a comprehensive school. Clan and tribal conflicts are everywhere, and on the streets it's estate versus estate, urban tribe against urban tribe. All Kaninda wants it to get back to his own war and take revenge on his enemies. But together with Laura Rose, the daughter of his new family, he is drawn into a dangerous local conflict that is spiraling out of control.

Ben Maddox is in trouble... After disobeying her orders on his last assigment, Ben has been banished by his boss, to work in the archives at Zephon TV. But he is desperate to follow up a hot lead about drug trafficking. To his dismay when his boss eventually relents, she gives him the show-biz brief, but it turns out to be more dangerous than Ben could ever have imagined . .

When journalist Ben Maddox is thrust full-throttle into an investigation for Zephon TV, he worries that he's in over his head. But as he digs deeper, he realises that what's really important is being prepared to fight for what you believe in, and if that means risking his life, then that's exactly what he will have to do...

When Sophia and her mum move into Revenge House, on the lonely and windswept Romney Marshes, little do they know how the timbers of the ancient building are steeped in the secretive life of the marshes. They are both struggling to cope with the death of Sophia's father, although Sophia is embarking on a tentative romance with a local boy who is sensitive to her feelings. But suddenly they all find themselves sucked in to a criminal underworld that will eventually threaten their lives.

The holidays lie heavy on young Leonard Boameh. His schoolfriends live far away from his home town of Accra, his nana is no fun, and his dad - who's great - is away working most of the time. So Leonard decides to run away for a few hours, and when Nana isn't looking he takes the tro-tro bus to Elmina, a historic European fort built to imprison West African slaves shipped off to America. There are lots of rough kids begging there, and before Leonard knows what's happening, he is kidnapped by the meanest gang of all, who plan to use his angel-face to fleece the tourists. Leonard is now a slave, trying to escape from a living nightmare. Bernard Ashley's thought-provoking Ghanaian story, set in the sinister, poverty-driven underworld of gangland, leads to a taut, thrilling climax. This title is also available as an ebook, in either Kindle, ePub or Adobe ebook editions

When Justin falls out with Tanya, her big brother, Tyrone, decides to teach Justin a lesson - with his fists. Justin tries everything to get out of the fight but it's no good - fighting is a dead cert.

Lynne Golding: Australian Ballerina" tells the story of Australia's first prima ballerina. Golding made history in 1951 when she became the first ballerina to perform the dual role of Odette/Odile in Australia's first full-length "Swan Lake." She continued her dance career in England, Venezuela and New York before returning to her beloved Australia, where she came to be one of Australia's most revered and beloved ballet teachers. This beautifully illustrated book chronicles the life a remarkable dancer whose career spanned four continents and over seven decades

Ellie hates leaving behind her friends, but the worst thing about moving to a pub by the canal is that the dark, swirling waters bring back traumatic memories. And Ellie's troubles only grow when she discovers the shady dealings that take place in the Regent's Arms on Friday nights. There is somebody who could expose the truth - if only she could escape the evil gang that holds her captive.

Toddler Shirley survives when a bomb hits her house during the blitz, but she runs wildly into the night to find her mother. Johnny, who is on the run from reform school, finds Shirley and looks after her, but he can't take her home as he risks capture.

Tom isn't much good at reading or writing, but he is good at sailing. So he finds himself rescuing a girl stranded in rocks when her should be at home studying. The girl turns out to be an illegal immigrant and she has a terrifying story to tell. Tom is determined to help her, even if it means outsmarting those smarter then him. Ages 12+.

Joyce and her family live in Uganda. One day her mother arrives home with a pair of rabbits. They soon have babies and Joyce becomes very fond of them. Especially one, which she names Kipenzi. When Mum says that she's going to take them to 'The Bush', a misunderstanding leads to an exciting chain of events. A warm family story told by Bernard Ashley.

Ronnie Webster lives in the East End, in an area under the control of the notorious Bradshaw brothers. When his father is framed by the Bradshaws and sent to jail, and his mother goes off to live with one of the brothers, Ronnie finds himself on his own, struggling to keep out of trouble andlooking for a way to clear his father's name. But he soon finds himself caught up in another of the Bradshaws' plots - this time a scheme to bring illegal immigrants into the country, for cash. Ronnie foils the plan - but we see the other side of his actions too, for one of the immigrants hidden inthe back of the Bradshaws' coach is the father of Ronnie's schoolmate, Manjit.

Donovan Croft is sent to be fostered by Keith Chapman's family when Donovan's mother has to return to the West Indies. But the trauma of leaving his parents is too much for Donovan, and he becomes mute. He won't talk to Keith or his family, and he won't talk to the teachers at school. The combination of Donovan's silence, and the racist attitudes of both pupils and teachers at school means trouble, and it's the growing bond between Donovan and Keith which helps them all find a way to resolution.

Billy gets free school lunches, but what he really wants is packed lunches like Decklan, with surprise notes from his Mum. Soon the other kids get surprise notes too. Billy's Mum gives in and lets him have packed lunch, but she doesn't write notes. Billy starts to write his own.

First published in hardback in 1997, a story in the CITY LIMITS series which follows the adventures of the friends of the City Limits Cafe, which is visited by a famous television celebrity, but can Sharon teach the TV star how to act?