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?

"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.

Street-smart Cockney Jack finds hiimself evacuated to Kent, where he is swept off by Lady Ashwell and plunges headfirst into the social deep end and a thrilling adventure of espionage and black marketeering.

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.

To escape a thunder storm, Nicky accepts a lift from a stranger. Based upon a real incident, Bernard Ashley's story tells how one of the author's pupils was abducted in the 1980s when the author was a headmaster.

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

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 . .

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

When shipwrecked Pax is discovered by an elderly man searching for his only grandson and the heir to his business, the two form a powerful bond. But as Pax regains his memories, haunting truths and guilt-ridden deception reveal that their destinies have been long intertwined by a silent betrayal that could yet tear them apart.