'A powerful, thrilling writer' Independent on Sunday

Multi-award winning author Robert Swindells' first published book began life as a thesis for his teacher training finals at Huddersfield Polytechnic. He is now one of the most compelling and admired children's fiction writers of his generation, having won The Carnegie Medal for STONE COLD and The Children's Book Award twice with ROOM 13 and BROTHER IN THE LAND.

Robert's writing has covered a wide range of topics, often with a mystical, unexplained theme - from the mysterious floating monsters in a tank in HYDRA, to ghostly creatures in an old railway tunnel in THE THOUSAND EYES OF NIGHT, on to the terrifying journey of passengers in THE LAST BUS. The Whitbread nominated ABOMINATION and 1999 Sheffield Book Award Overall Prize Winner tells the story of Martha and her family's very dark secret.

Robert also likes to base his books on his own experiences. THE GO-AHEAD GANG is a collection of true tales based on his childhood group of friends. While researching STONE COLD, Robert slept rough and lived the life of a homeless person in London for three nights. Ghost stories told on a school trip were the inspiration for ROOM 13, which is now in 12 translations.

Robert's young adult novels have been acclaimed for their gritty realism and his ability to capture pertinent societal issues. His corgi titles for 9-12 like BLITZED, THE SHADE OF HETTIE DAYNES and 2009’s SHRAPNEL continue to provide quality page turning reads. SNAPSHOT, SNAKEBITE, BURNOUT and KNIFE EDGE are Robert’s thrilling quartet of urban novels for Barrington Stoke.

Robert prefers to write: "the kind of books I would have liked to read as a child." He left school at fifteen. He worked on a local paper and then joined the RAF at 17 for three years. He then worked in a variety of jobs before training and working as a teacher. Robert now writes full time and lives with his wife on the Yorkshire moors near Haworth. He has two grown up daughters and two grandchildren.



The Shade of Hettie Daynes

If you expect a ghost, you see a ghost... That's what Bethan tells herself when her brother takes her to see it at the reservoir. But she really can see it: a pale figure floating over the water. Local legend says that the ghost is the shade of Hettie Daynes, an ancestor of their family, who vanished over a hundred years ago. If so, what does she want? And why is she appearing now? Harry and Bethan and their friends Rob and Alison are determined to find out.

A deliciously shivery ghost tale from a multi award winner.

Random House Publishers     9-12 Age


Shrapnel

World war Two is raging and bombs are raining down from the sky. When Gordon finds a revolver hidden in his parents' house he decides to track his brother down. But when he finds Raymond, Gordon gets more than he bargained for. Raymond claims to be a secret government agent and enlists Gordon to help. Gordon wants to do his bit for the war effort but is Raymond luring him into terrible danger?

A gripping wartime drama.

Random House Publishers      9-12 Age     Jan 2009 


9-12 Age Corgi Paperbacks:

WORLD EATER
THE THOUSAND EYES OF NIGHT
ROOM THIRTEEN
INSIDE THE WORM
HYDRA
NIGHTMARE STAIRS
ABOMINATION
JACQUELINE HYDE
INVISIBLE!
A WISH FOR WINGS
RUBY TANYA
BLITZED
IN THE NICK OF TIME
THE SHADE OF HETTIE DAYNES
SHRAPNEL

Young Adult Titles:

BROTHER IN THE LAND
A SERPENT'S TOOTH
DAZ 4 ZOE
FOLLOW A SHADOW
STONE COLD
UNBELIEVER
SMASH!
DOSH
WRECKED
NO ANGELS
BRANDED