Book 3

A moving story of the African slave trade.



Obah is a young boy living in Benin in western Africa in the eighteenth century. One day his life changes for ever when he and his beloved younger sister, Banita, are wrenched away from the world they know, and sold into slavery. But the greatest pain of all comes when Obah and his sister are separated. He vows never to give up searching for Banita. Obah's love and determination to escape keep him strong, but will that be enough to keep him alive?


Book 13

It's 1914 and France is at war. 14-year old Pierre is desperate to help his country fight the Germans, but the only way he can sign up is if he has false identity papers. So when the opportunity arises, two years later, Pierre seizes it with both hands and opens the door from childhood into adulthood. But he finds that the world of war is a gruesome one and Pierre's dreams of glory soon fade when he finds out what life is really like in the trenches...



An introduction and epilogue set the story in historical context, and a map provides geographical context.


Book 17

Thirteen-year-old Lizzie McCallum is a Protestant living in Northern Ireland. She has seen her fair share of the troubles, and she is used to being taunted by the boys from the local Catholic school. Lizzie's family hates Catholics, especially since Uncle Jim was killed. On an ordinary Saturday in August, 1998, Lizzie's world is blown apart when she finds herself at the centre of a tragic bombing incident on the high street. Lizzie has always thought she was on the right side, but she finds out that bombs do not discriminate - they kill innocent people - from both sides.

Book 20

It's early in 1999 when Drita, an Albanian, and Zoran, a Serb, become friends. They're just like any other teenagers. But this is Kosovo, and Serb-Albanian tension is rising. Drita and Zoran's families are now enemies and the couple are forced to meet in secret. The events that follow are enough to blow apart even the strongest of friendships, and Drita and Zoran are about to begin a fight for their lives. Will their friendship survive?

The Star Houses

by Stewart Ross

Published 15 November 2001
This story is set in Budapest in 1944. The Nazis have invaded Hungary, and they have started to impose their anti-semitic laws. Fourteen-year-old Bandi Guttmann finds he is now forced to declare his Jewish identity by wearing a yellow star. He and his family are harrassed every night by the thugs of the fascist Arrow Cross. Life is tough, but as long as they stick together, they believe they can survive. In the months that follow, as the murderous intentions of their conquerors become ever more apparent, the courage and resourcefulness of Bandi and his family are tested to their limits.

Star Houses

by Stewart Ross

Published 17 May 2001
This story is set in Budapest in 1944. The Nazis have invaded Hungary, and they have started to impose their anti-semitic laws. Fourteen-year-old Bandi Guttmann finds he is now forced to declare his Jewish identity by wearing a yellow star. He and his family are harrassed every night by the thugs of the facist Arrow Cross. Life is tough, but as long as they stick together, they believe they can survive. In the months that follow, as the murderous intentions of their conquerors become ever more apparent, the courage and resourcefulness of Bandi and his family are tested to their limits.

It is the 18th century and 12-year-old Obah already has a big future ahead of him. He is destined to be a high chief in his village in Benin. In just one day, Obah's life changes forever when he and his beloved young sister, Banita, are wrenched away from the world they know and sold into slavery. But the greatest pain of all comes when Obah and his sister are separated. He vows never to give up searching for Banita. Obah's love and determination to escape keep him strong, but are they enough to keep him alive?

Inspired by The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, the first published account by an African slave taken to the New World.

Part of a unique collection of fictional stories about young people caught up in real-life conflicts and disasters. Through their eyes we experience the day-to-day hardships and dangers of living through troubled times from throughout history.


It's 1914 and France is at war. Fourteen-year-old Pierre Clouet is desperate to help defeat the Germans, but he's too young to fight. The only way he could sign up is if he has false identity papers. So when the opportunity arises, Pierre seizes it with both hands. But the world of war is a gruesome one and Pierre's dreams of glory soon fade...

Part of a unique collection of fictional stories about young people caught up in real-life conflicts and disasters. Through their eyes we experience the day-to-day hardships and dangers of living through troubled times from throughout history.