Bernard Ashley
Born in Woolwich, south London, Ashley trained as a teacher at Trent Park College of Education after his National Service in the RAF. His teaching career included thirty years as headteacher. Ashley is also an author of books for children and young adults. His debut novel, The Trouble with Donovan Croft, published in 1974, won The Other Award, an alternative to the Carnegie Medal. A Kind of Wild Justice (1978), Running Scared (1986), and Little Soldier (1999) were commended runners up for the Carnegie Medal from the Library Association, recognising the year's best children's book.
Books
Aftershock
Author: Bernard Ashley
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Childrens Books
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+
After a major earthquake in 1951 devastates their lives, Makis and his mother are re-homed in North London, but they face antagonism from both the British and Greek communities.
Dead End Kids
Author: Bernard Ashley
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10+
Closely based on historical fact, Bernard Ashley has created another gripping account of wartime London.
Dive Bombing
Author: Bernard Ashley
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+
Bernard Ashley’s vivid portrayal of urban living, war, social issues, ethics and ideology has engaged readers for 40 years, and these elements combine in this tale of a family facing terrorist threats.
Nadine Dreams of Home
Author: Bernard Ashley
Illustrator: Ollie Cuthbertson
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 7+
An ultimately uplifting story aimed at new or dyslexic readers.
Shadow of the Zeppelin
Author: Bernard Ashley
Publisher: Orchard Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 9+
Set around Woolwich, in Flanders and in Germany, Ashley's latest powerful novel for KS3+ readers shows World War One from the viewpoint of British and German combatants, but concentrates on the little-known Home Front experience.