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Robert Swindells
Robert - always known as Bob - was shy and quiet at school and
useless at everything except English, Art and cricket.
He got through his boring childhood by discovering the
local library when he was nine. First he had to get past the fierce
old librarian. But once he started reading, he realised that he
could go anywhere and be anyone he wanted. Discovering the library
turned him into a reader and later made him a writer,
too.
Bob left school at 15. He worked on a local newspaper
for a couple years before joining the RAF. He hoped to fly
spitfires but ended up with a job on the ground. Bob then trained
as a primary school teacher and worked as a teacher before becoming
a full-time writer. In 1984, Bob wrote Brother in the Land, a
hard-hitting story about the collapse of society, after the nuclear
bomb had been dropped. It reflected his active involvement with the
CND, which on one occasion led to his arrest and a week in
prison.
Since then he has written over 20 books that are
contemporary, thought-provoking novels about society including
Stone Cold that won the Carnegie Medal in 1994.
Bob is a Buddhist. He believes that we are all
responsible for each other and that we should be careful not to
harm anyone. He writes books that encourage young readers to think
the same.
Room 13
Fliss dreams a terrible dream about a dark and sinister house - a house with a secret in room 13. When she arrives in Whitby on the school trip she finds the hotel they are staying in looks very like the house of her dreams. But there is no room 13. Or is there? At the stroke of 13 a mysterious room appears. Is there anyone in it? Who dares to find out? A spooky story written by Swindells with the help of a group of children who planned the exciting twists and turns. (9+).
Published by Corgi Yearling
Ice Palace
Starjik and his hungry wolves come at dead of night. No one sees them but after every visit a child is missing. Can anyone rid the land of this cursed creature? Fear of him causes people's hearts to freeze over. To save his brother, Ivan dares to face the dangers of Starjik's terrifying cave. A chilling story full of fear. (7+)
Published in Puffin Books
Smash!
Steve and Ashraf are friends. They've been friends for years but now their lives are changing. The new development in town threatens the whole community, and brings out tensions over racism that force the friends to take opposing sides. What will their futures be? Or will they even have a future? (11+)
Published in Puffin Books
Dosh
How can anyone stop the protection racket that controls the school? Individuals have no power, but when a group of kids unite to form Pull this soon proves a match for Push, the bullies' gang that has ruled for so long. Swindells understands the fear that bullies can arouse and comes up with a dramatic solution to stop them. (12+)
Published in Puffin Books
Brother in the Land
Danny has to protect his brother when their world falls apart after a nuclear bomb has been dropped. Swindells shows how selfishly individuals react when there are no rules to keep them in check. Brother in the Land is also the story of the developing love between Danny and Kim and their hopes for a better future. (11+)
Published in Puffin Books
Abomination
Martha's parents are strict members of a religious sect who lay down lots of rules about what Martha can and can't do. The most unbreakable rule is that she is not allowed - ever - to bring anyone home. Why? Because of the secret that her family is hiding. Then Martha makes a friend and, with the help of Scott, begins to question things at home. Narrated by both Martha and Scott, it is a convincing story about friendship set against a dark background of prejudice and suppression. (11+)
Published by Corgi Yearling
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[ Windows Media Clip 1- Room 13 ]
[ Windows Media Clip 2- When I was a kid I had a very boring life ]
[ Windows Media Clip 3- I read everything I could get my hands on ]
[ Windows Media Clip 4- My Books ]
