New Releases by Bernard Ashley

When 16-year-old Lizzie Parsons starts to meet women involved in the suffragist cause, she has no idea of the dramatic changes that lie ahead. As the women''s rights campaign fights on, Lizzie must also face her own personal battle with a violent, abusive father. Beautifully judged and sensitively written, this is a novel that speaks powerfully to a contemporary readership by placing domestic and sexual abuse, an issue as relevant now as in 1912, at the heart of the story. As Lizzie begins to realize, it is both deeds and words that will win for women.

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.

London is at war and as the Blitz rages, children like Josie and her brother Len face the same dangers as the adults. Can they find the strength to stand up against the onslaught? A tale of amazing bravery, inspired by the true story of the Dead End Kids of Wapping - young people who fought fires and rescued their friends and neighbours from bomb sites. Perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo, this dramatic story brings the Second World War vividly to life.

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?

London is at war and as the Blitz rages, children like Josie and her brother Len face the same dangers as the adults. Can they find the strength to stand up against the onslaught? A tale of amazing bravery, inspired by the true story of the Dead End Kids of Wapping - young people who fought fires and rescued their friends and neighbours from bomb sites. Perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo, this dramatic story brings the Second World War vividly to life.

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?

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.

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

Amber is shocked when her brother falls to his death from a tower block. She''s convinced it wasn''t an accident, and so begins her journey to discover the truth and bring some kind of justice for Connor. With twists, turns and a fabulous multi-layered plot, Bernard Ashley has created a thrilling and engrossing tale. Set in south east London, this is a incredibly gritty and absorbing novel.

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.

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...

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 . .

Hard Stew always gets what he wants, but he''s not the only thing chasing Davey. There''s also a secret - the sort that jumps up on you and is more frightening than a hundred Hard Stews. The sort you''ve got to stare in the face. If you''ve got the guts... Shortlisted for the Sheffield Children''s Book Award and the Angus Award.

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.

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+.

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.

Blossom is a lucky girl - she has TWO grandmothers. The city one she calls Nan and the country one Gran, and she loves them both. At the big party for Blossom''s new little brother, Blossom sees Nan and Gran together for the first time. Now they''ll have fun - all three of them Ages 2-5.

An important and cool-headed look at "stranger danger".

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.