Most Popular Books by Bernard Ashley

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...

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

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 . .

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.

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.

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?

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.

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...

Wishing he had something to be clever at like each of the other children in his class, Ling Sung unexpectedly and happily discovers the others admire his prowess with chopsticks. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

When his father becomes seriously ill, Ritchie sets out to discover the whereabouts of his estranged uncle.

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.

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.

Haunting memories and hidden truths expose a silent betrayal in this thrilling story of loyalty and deception, war and peace, from master storyteller 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.

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.

Stories by authors such as Noel Streatfield, James Berry, Betsy Duffy and Jan Mark that will appeal to a wide variety of tastes and ages. All the stories are based on something everyone has in common - school. Chosen by a master storyteller and headteacher! Age 10+ 192 pages

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.

A teenage boy living in London with his mother tries to cope with two of his most pressing problems, the daily harassment of the bully running the market stall next to his and the desertion of the family by his father.

This is a wonderful adaptation of Bernard Ashley''s critically acclaimed novel of the same name, which was short listed for the Carnegie and the Guardian Fiction Awards. Kaninda is an ex-child soldier from East Africa, orphaned and living in London. When a child from a nearby estate is hit by a car, he is drawn into an inter-estate conflict. The story combines current conflicts in London with real war in Africa. Little Soldier is a gritty and gripping play with a fast-moving, exciting plot which will hook boys. The play can be used to explore: different cultures (set in Africa in London) urban gang culture and moral questions literary and dramatic techniques and devices.

The story of a precocious little girl''s everyday adventures with her two grandmothers. The story celebrates a loving multi ethnic family.

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.

Part of the CLIPPER STREET series, the story of publican''s son Slade Bendix who entertains a very important visitor in his Dad''s beer cellar. Illustrated by Judith Lawton. Originally published in 1988 and now available in paperback.

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.

This is the sixth title in the six-part Clipper Street mini-series, set in and around a south London street. It is a sensitively-told story dealing with the theme of child abuse, and giving a child''s view of the dilemmas involved for outsiders.

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?

After his disturbed father is committed to a psychiatric ward, Simon realizes that they both must confront the cause of his father''s illness - the mystery surrounding the death of Simon''s mother.

Two stories - the first about the events surrounding Uncle Jack''s funeral, when Winnie discovers that there was more to her uncle than she thought and that in his time he had been a fighter for black rights, and the second where Winnie must put family loyalty before personal pride. Suggested level: intermediate, junior secondary.

Een taxichauffeur houdt, om zijn familie te beschermen, het bewijs achter waardoor de leider van de onderwereld gegrepen kan worden. Na zijn overlijden proberen zijn kleindochter Paula en haar vriendin Narinder achter het geheim van de bewijsvoering te komen. Vanaf ca. 14 jaar.