Robert Swindells left school at fifteen to work on a local newspaper. At seventeen, he joined the RAF for three years, then trained and worked as a teacher. Now a full-time writer, he is the author of a number of bestselling titles for the Random House children's list. In 1994 he won the Carnegle Medal for Stone Cold (Hamish Hamilton), a teenage novel about a serial killer.
'Provides a gently persuasive argument for doing the right thing even if that leads you into conflict with your family.' - TES; 'This is a brave and successful attempt to help readers understand a complex, topical situation in our real world.' - The Bookseller; 'This is an exciting, fast-moving story of topical interest...and Swindells confidently handles the build-up of racial tensions in the community, tempering his story with humour as well.' - Booktrusted News; 'The subject is very relevant today and Swindell's approach for younger readers is superbly formed.' - Independent On Sunday; 'The book opens with an explosion and maintains its pace throughout' - The Observer