Author: Bernard Ashley

Published: 1995

Format: Hardback

Pages: 166

Suitable: Senior Primary / Secondary

Wartime London - 'the blitz' - and the East End of London was taking a hammering. If it hadn't been for the gold watch, found hidden in his sock, Johnnie would have been miles away - safe in the country with the rest of his school. But the watch had got him branded as a thief and locked away with the real criminals. Still, Johnnie was a survivor. And now he'd escaped he was going to stay out of trouble until his dad came marching back to clear his name.

East Ender Johnnie Stubbs is on the run from the law. His dad's in the army and he has no mother. Innocent Johnnie finds himself protecting little Shirley, a 3-year-old traumatized girl whose house has been bombed and her mother left in a coma. With some dodgy stuff, they head away from the London blitz to the country, where Johnnie meets up with gypsy girl Biddy and her people. Johnnie finds that whatever he has to prove, it is most importantly to himself. And how can he get Shirley back where she belongs - and at what cost to do so?

• Johnnie Stubbs is a memorable character, and Bernard Ashley a great story.