New Releases by Paul DOWSWELL

The welcome given to refugees from fascist Europe is part of our fond nostalgia for Britain''s role in the Second World War, nestling in our imagination next to images of evacuees clutching teddy bears, and milkmen picking their way through bomb rubble during the Blitz. But there is a darker side to this story. Then, as now, there was great suspicion, resentment and fear towards new arrivals, much of it kindled by the tabloid press. Then, as now, politicians dealt with a reluctance to accommodate refugees by hiding behind bureaucratic hurdles and obfuscation. Many of the 10,000 Kindertransport children who arrived here in the late 1930s have warm memories of the kindness they were shown, but half a million refugees were refused entry and most of them died as a result. And those who were accepted found their troubles far from over. While Britain fearfully awaited invasion in 1940, 30,000 Jews were interned as ''enemy aliens'' and some were sent off to the colonies on dangerous and sometimes fatal voyages. Nor were Jews the only refugees clamouring for the thin gruel of public sympathy. Those fleeing fascism and civil war elsewhere in Europe found that whether they were met with kindness or hostility depended on the locals'' political affiliations and newspapers of choice. Interweaving personal testimonies with historical sources, Paul Dowswell casts a fresh eye on the wartime era, painting a vivid picture of what life was really like for Britain''s refugees.

Thrilling historical adventure set during the English peasants'' revolt of 1381, by Paul Dowswell, the author of Ausländer, and Wolf Children. It''s 1381 and the king, Richard II, has imposed a new tax on the people. In the village of Aylesford, Tilda and her ploughman father were already struggling to make ends meet. As serfs they have no rights to move freely or earn wages for their work. Tilda is desperate for a better life than the village can offer, so when the villagers begin to rebel she is swept up in the excitement. Tilda and her father travel to London with the others to petition the king, but the peaceful rebellion they hoped for soon ignites into violence, mayhem and treachery. Tilda''s fight for a better life is only just beginning... This page-turning adventure sheds new light on a period of history which is covered in the KS3 curriculum, and will have readers gripped from start to finish.

Ten true stories of survival against the odds: from shark attacks and blazing airships to exploding spacecraft and sinking submarines, these are real-life stories of people who have stared death in the face and lived to tell the tale. In hardcover format adapted from Usborne''s True Stories paperback series.

It is July 1945, Hitler''s Third Reich has fallen, and Berlin is in ruins. Living on the edge of survival in the cellar of an abandoned hospital, Otto and his ragtag gang of kids have banded together in the desperate, bombed-out city. The war may be over, but danger lurks in the shadows of the wreckage as Otto and his friends find themselves caught between invading armies, ruthless rival gangs and a strange Nazi war criminal who stalks them ... A climactic story of truth, friendship and survival against the odds, Wolf Children will thrill readers of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne.

"Is there really such a thing as a true ghost story? The strange tales in this book are all based on actual reports by people who believed they had been haunted by ghosts or poltergeists. You can make up your own mid after reading their stories ..."--Page [4] cover.

A write-in book which will allow children to pen their very own adventure story. With lots of hints and tips on how to create characters, plan plots, write dialogue and stage all-important action scenes, this book will start budding writers off with simple exercises, and build them up until they are racing through their own short stories.

ONE IN FIVE NEVER RETURNED. Every boy dreams of flying, but in war that dream can turn into a nightmare. Harry Friedman is the gunner of the Macey May, an American Flying Fortress stationed in East Anglia. The Second World War is raging and the Nazis have swept over Europe. The crews of every Flying Fortress face terrible odds on their bombing missions. To make it through alive, Harry will need luck on his side and courage ... Courage to keep going when he has watched close friends die. Courage to confront a terrible evil. And the courage to make it home from deep behind enemy lines. Nail-biting tension and compelling storytelling combine with Dowswell''s meticulous research to deliver a page-turner for fans of John Boyne, Morris Gleitzman and Marcus Zusak.

This volume contains stories about the men and women whose extraordinary courage has captured the imagination of millions. From spies to test pilots, doctors to explorers, it recounts their spirit, integrity or resolve in detail.

"As the world''s tallest mountain, Everest has held a special fascination for climbers ever since it was first discovered 150 years ago. Since then, over a thousand men and women have stood triumphant on its tiny summit. But the frozen bodies that litter its dizzy slopes tell another tale of tragedy, misfortune and reckless ambition." -- back cover.

From shark attacks and blazing airships to exploding spacecraft and sinking submarines, these are real stories of people who have stared death in the face and lived to tell the tale. Find out what separates the living from the dead when catastrophe strikes.

Russia, 1940. Fifteen-year-old Misha''s life is about to transform when his father is offered a job in Stalin''s inner circle. They move into a luxurious apartment in the Kremlin, but doubts about the glorious new Russia quickly surface. Misha realises that the secret police can do whatever they like. His own mother is arrested and sent to prison, but Misha and his father daren''t complain. Then as German troops advance on Moscow, the atmosphere in the Kremlin ignites. Misha and a friend find themselves at the heart of a battle against the mighty state in this powerful evocation of one of the most turbulent places and periods of the 20th century, told by a master storyteller.

A collection of moving stories from the First and Second World War published in association with the Imperial War Museum. These twenty-two stories recount some of the most heroic, devastating and pivotal moments of the World Wars providing young readers with an insight into the human stories behind the conflicts. "A truly moving collection of tales. From spies and secret plots to snipers and zeppelin raids, it brings history alive with real heroes." - tbk Magazine

From shark attacks and blazing airships to exploding spacecraft and sinking submarines, find out what made the difference between life and death in these ten thrilling stories of survival. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

A gripping collection of true stories of exploration and danger over the icy wastelands of Antarctica. Contains true life stories from the fated expedition of Captain Scott to Ernest Shackleton''s epic trek across the snow to save his stranded crew.

Eleven true-life stories of adventure and exploration on the world''s tallest mountain, including tales of tragedy, misfortune and reckless ambition. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Paul Dowswell wordt internationaal geprezen om de manier waarop hij in staat is voor jongeren te schrijven over bekende historische gebeurtenissen vanuit een ongebruikelijk gezichtspunt. In Eleven, eleven kruipen we onder de huid van drie jongens die de laatste 24 uur van de Eerste Wereldoorlog meemaken: een Duitse en Engelse soldaat op het slagveld, een Amerikaanse vliegenier in de lucht. Het lot brengt hen samen; slechts twee van hen zullen overleven.

Set during the final 24 hours before the armistice at 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, the story follows a German storm trooper, an American airman and a British Tommy. Their destinies converge during the death throes of the first ever conflict to spread across the globe. War becomes incredibly personal as nationality and geography cease to matter to each of these teenagers on the Western Front, and friendship becomes the defining aspect of their encounter. But who will live and who will die before the end of the day?

Is there really such a thing as a true ghost story? The strange tales in this book are all based on actual reports by people who believed they had been haunted by ghosts or poltergeists. Stories are illustrated with maps and diagrams. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

In March 1801, a mere six weeks after Sam Witchall''s ship wrecked off the Cornish coast, his hopes for getting home are dashed when he is framed for theft and sent to Australia for punishment. The fifteen-thousand mile, eight-month journey is a hard and horrible one, and when he and his good friend Richard finally arrive, they find themselves fighting for their lives in the Australian bush. This epic sequel to Powder Monkey is every bit as exciting and action packed as its predecessor. "Adventure fans will not be disappointed with the daring rescues, shark attacks, espionage, and heated battles that fill the pages of this historically accurate and vastly entertaining sequel." -School Library Journal

Eight thrilling true stories of daring escapes. Contains tales of breakouts from infamous institutions such as Alcatraz and Devil''s Island, and the risks the prisoners faced afterwards, including savage dogs, armed guards and shark-infested waters. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Ten thrilling true stories of spies and espionage. Contains tales of stealth and deception, each every bit as daring and glamorous as the fictional escapades of James Bond, but far more deadly as the real life spies risk capture, torture and execution for their trade. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Twelve thrilling true stories of the Second World War. Includes real life tales of epic naval battles, monumental battles and duels between solitary snipers for control of Stalingrad amongst other tales of bravery and heroism. Stories are illustrated with maps and line drawings and there are notes on sources and ideas for further reading. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Ten thrilling stories of the First World War. Contains eye-witness accounts of some of World War One''s most important events, from the epic naval battle of Jutland to the strange Christmas truce of 1914. Stories are illustrated with maps and line drawings and there are notes on sources and ideas for further reading. Gripping and engaging for readers who prefer real life to fiction.

Thirteen thrilling true stories of courage and heroism. From firefighters battling a blazing nuclear reactor, to a helicopter rescue team on board a fast sinking ship and one housewife''s brave defiance of the Gestapo, this book contains inspiring tales of extraordinary courage from everyday people. A gripping and engaging collection of amazing real life stories, perfect for readers who prefer fact to fiction.

Alex woont in Oost-Berlijn. De Koude Oorlog is op haar hoogtepunt en Alex en z''n familie mogen de stad niet verlaten. Maar Alex is geen modelburger. En de Stasi houdt hem nauwlettend in de gaten.Alex krijgt te horen dat hij niet langer onderwijs mag volgen. Zijn vakantiebaantje wordt op mysterieuze wijze opgezegd, en bepaalde vrienden beginnen hem te ontwijken. Zijn ouders realiseren zich dat vluchten uit Oost-Duitsland misschien wel de enige mogelijkheid is. Maar de Muur passeren is bijna onmogelijk. En zelfs als het Alex en zijn familie lukt om te ontsnappen, is het dan mogelijk om uit de greep van de Stasi te blijven? Eén verkeerde actie, en het leven van Alex en zijn familie staat op het spel.

A far-reaching account of the story of the Second World War, written from a genuinely international perspective, showing how the war affected nations and people all over the world. Black and white and hand-coloured photographs give an atmospheric period feel.

Alex Ostermann (ca. 16) woont in Oost-Berlijn. Het is 1972 en de Koude Oorlog is in volle gang. Alex weigert zich aan te passen aan het communisme, waardoor hij in grote problemen komt. Vanaf ca. 15 jaar.

Alex lives in East Berlin. The cold war is raging and he and his family are forbidden to leave. But the longer he stays the more danger he is in. Alex is no longer pretending to be a model East German, and the Stasi has noticed. They are watching him. Alex is told that further education will be blocked to him. His summer job is mysteriously cancelled, and friends begin avoiding him. His parents start to realise that leaving the East may be the only option left to them, but getting across the Wall is practically impossible. And even if Alex and his family make it to the other side, will they be able to escape the reach of the Stasi? This is a tense, page-turning thriller that builds towards a terrifying showdown as powerful forces from the East and West converge. One false move will change everything for Alex and his family, for ever.

A chilling and thought-provoking story of a Polish orphan who refuses to conform to the Hitler Youth