Scarecrows

Robert Westall was born in 1929 on Tyneside, where he grew up during the war. He went to the local Grammar School and then studied Fine Art at Durham University, and Sculpture at the Slade School of Fine Art in London. He worked as an art teacher in Cheshire and for the Samaritans. His first novel for children, The Machine Gunners, published in 1975, was an instant success and was awarded the Carnegie Medal. His books have been translated into ten languages, dramatised for television and he won the Carnegie again in 1982 for The Scarecrows, the Smarties Prize in 1989 for Blitzcat, and the Guardian Award in 1991 for The Kingdom by the Sea. Between 1986 until his death in 1993, he devoted himself to his writing.

"Powerfully blends an exceptionally chilling drama with a story of insight and compassion about unhappiness" -- Julia Eccleshare Guardian "Robert Westall is the father of the golden age of children's literature in this century, quite unrivalled in his sharpness of observation and pace of narrative" -- Michael Morpurgo "A brooding story about jealousy, hatred, murder and love" Parents News "A hard-hitting book ... a must-read from this ever popular author" Teaching & Learning "Atmospheric, perceptive and brilliant" Daily Echo