Paul Dowswell – författare

A bright, lively introduction to space with simple text, amazing photographs and detailed illustrations. Provides simple explanations to questions such as "What are stars made of?" "Why does the Moon shine?" and "What do space toilets look like?" Includes internet links to carefully selected fun and informative websites.Chapters in this book include:- Amazing space- The moving sky- Telescopes- Radio telescopes- Trips into space- Astronaut training- A walk in space- Living in space- Dangers and disasters- Satellites and space probes- Into the future- Is anyone out there?- What's in our Solar System?- The Moon- The Sun- Mercury and Venus- Mars- Jupiter and Saturn- Uranus and Neptune- Pluto and beyond- Bits and pieces- The Universe- Distant suns- A star's life- Galaxies- Weird and wonderful- Looking at the night sky- Binoculars and telescopes- Space words

When Peter''s parents are killed, he is sent to an orphanage in Warsaw. Then German soldiers take him away to be measured and assessed. They decide that Peter is racially valuable. He is Volksdeutscher: of German blood. With his blond hair, blue eyes, and acceptably proportioned head, he looks just like the boy on the Hitler-Jugend poster. Someone important will want to adopt Peter. They do.Professor Kaltenbach is very pleased to welcome such a fine Aryan specimen to his household. People will be envious. But Peter is not quite the specimen they think. He is forming his own ideas about what he is seeing, what he is told. Peter doesn''t want to be a Nazi, and so he is going to take a very dangerous risk. The most dangerous risk he could possibly choose to take in Berlin in 1943.

When Lukas Declercq is orphaned, his uncle summons him to Prague, a refuge for Europe''s greatest alchemists and natural philosophers, offering to take him on as an apprentice. Uncle Anselmus is court physician to Rudolph II, the reclusive and unstable Emperor. He is also curator of Rudolph''s bizarre Cabinet of Curiosities, a series of vast rooms stuffed with wonders and scientific marvels such as a nail from Noah''s Ark, phoenix feathers and monstrous freaks of nature, which fascinate Lukas.As Rudolph retreats further into his fantasy world, the threat of rebellion hangs in the air. Dorantes, a diplomat from Spain, comes with his daughter, Celestina, on a mission from Philip II to persuade Rudolph to give up his heretical ways. But he discovers the court is full of diplomats who have been waiting months or years for an audience with the Emperor. Dorantes notices how some had wormed their way into the Emperor''s favour by presenting him with fantastic gifts for his Cabinet, and sets about creating a device that he says will stop time. But it works only in the presence of the Emperor.Lukas knows the terrible truth behind Dorantes''s mission. But sinister forces have plans for Lukas too, and before he can thwart the plot against the Emperor, Lukas must gamble on Celestina''s loyalty in order to save his own life.

Alex lives in East Berlin. The cold war is raging and he and his family are forbidden to leave. But the longer he stays the more danger he is in. Alex is no longer pretending to be a model East German, and the Stasi has noticed. They are watching him. Alex is told that further education will be blocked to him. His summer job is mysteriously cancelled, and friends begin avoiding him. His parents start to realise that leaving the East may be the only option left to them, but getting across the Wall is practically impossible. And even if Alex and his family make it to the other side, will they be able to escape the reach of the Stasi? This is a tense, page-turning thriller that builds towards a terrifying showdown as powerful forces from the East and West converge. One false move will change everything for Alex and his family, for ever.

Sam is desperate to leave his sleepy Norfolk village and see the world. He seizes the chance to join a merchant ship but soon discovers that a life at sea is harsh and often short, especially when his ship is attacked by a French privateer. About to be boarded, they fear all is lost, but the privateers are driven off by the appearance of a Royal Navy ship. Sam''s relief is short-lived. Soon after, another Navy ship sends over a press gang, and he is forced to join the frigate Miranda. War with France and Spain is raging and Sam is caught in the middle with a dangerous job as a powder monkey in the company of a brutal crew. An amazingly well-researched adventure giving a glimpse of one boy''s incredible life at sea.

Sam fights in a fierce battle against the Danish Fleet, led by none other than Admiral Nelson himself, and against all odds victory is theirs. Peace is declared and Britain''s war with most of Northern Europe is over. Sam can go home. But on the journey back, he witnesses a crime, for which he is framed. He is sentenced to death, but at the last minute this sentence is commuted to transportation to Australia. With petty thieves, vicious criminals, women and other children, Sam begins an eight month journey to the other side of the world, and a life of slavery in the harsh Australian interior. He knows that, against all odds, he must escape.

Sam escapes death in Australia when the truth about his false conviction is finally revealed. But on the journey back to England he faces pirates and a terrible storm, before making the longed-for trip back up the River Thames. Finally reunited with his family in Norfolk, Sam realises how much life at sea has become part of him. So when he hears that Napoleon plans to attack England, he is tempted to join the Navy once more, and finds himself Midshipman on none other than the Victory, preparing for one of the most epic battles in history: Trafalgar.

Set during the final 24 hours before the armistice at 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, the story follows a German storm trooper, an American airman and a British Tommy. Their destinies converge during the death throes of the first ever conflict to spread across the globe. War becomes incredibly personal as nationality and geography cease to matter to each of these teenagers on the Western Front, and friendship becomes the defining aspect of their encounter. But who will live and who will die before the end of the day?

Russia, 1940. Fifteen-year-old Misha''s life is about to transform when his father is offered a job in Stalin''s inner circle. They move into a luxurious apartment in the Kremlin, but doubts about the glorious new Russia quickly surface. Misha realises that the secret police can do whatever they like. His own mother is arrested and sent to prison, but Misha and his father daren''t complain. Then as German troops advance on Moscow, the atmosphere in the Kremlin ignites. Misha and a friend find themselves at the heart of a battle against the mighty state in this powerful evocation of one of the most turbulent places and periods of the 20th century, told by a master storyteller.

ONE IN FIVE NEVER RETURNED. Every boy dreams of flying, but in war that dream can turn into a nightmare. Harry Friedman is the gunner of the Macey May, an American Flying Fortress stationed in East Anglia. The Second World War is raging and the Nazis have swept over Europe. The crews of every Flying Fortress face terrible odds on their bombing missions. To make it through alive, Harry will need luck on his side and courage … Courage to keep going when he has watched close friends die. Courage to confront a terrible evil. And the courage to make it home from deep behind enemy lines.Nail-biting tension and compelling storytelling combine with Dowswell''s meticulous research to deliver a page-turner for fans of John Boyne, Morris Gleitzman and Marcus Zusak.

It is July 1945, Hitler''s Third Reich has fallen, and Berlin is in ruins. Living on the edge of survival in the cellar of an abandoned hospital, Otto and his ragtag gang of kids have banded together in the desperate, bombed-out city. The war may be over, but danger lurks in the shadows of the wreckage as Otto and his friends find themselves caught between invading armies, ruthless rival gangs and a strange Nazi war criminal who stalks them ...A climactic story of truth, friendship and survival against the odds, Wolf Children will thrill readers of Michael Morpurgo and John Boyne.

A write-in activity book to help children plan, plot and write their own adventure stories. Each colourful page is full of inspiring ideas for writing thrilling adventure stories about explorers, spies, daring rescues, ghosts, aliens, heroes and villains and lots more. Fun activities such as creating a character and "what happens next?" help children to create characters, develop plot and stage all important action scenes, until they are racing through their own short stories.

Thrilling historical adventure set during the English peasants' revolt of 1381, by Paul Dowswell, the author of Ausländer, and Wolf Children. It's 1381 and the king, Richard II, has imposed a new tax on the people. In the village of Aylesford, Tilda and her ploughman father were already struggling to make ends meet. As serfs they have no rights to move freely or earn wages for their work. Tilda is desperate for a better life than the village can offer, so when the villagers begin to rebel she is swept up in the excitement. Tilda and her father travel to London with the others to petition the king, but the peaceful rebellion they hoped for soon ignites into violence, mayhem and treachery. Tilda's fight for a better life is only just beginning...This page-turning adventure sheds new light on a period of history which is covered in the KS3 curriculum, and will have readers gripped from start to finish.

Thrilling historical adventure set during the English peasants' revolt of 1381, by Paul Dowswell, the author of Ausländer, and Wolf Children. It's 1381 and the king, Richard II, has imposed a new tax on the people. In the village of Aylesford, Tilda and her ploughman father were already struggling to make ends meet. As serfs they have no rights to move freely or earn wages for their work. Tilda is desperate for a better life than the village can offer, so when the villagers begin to rebel she is swept up in the excitement. Tilda and her father travel to London with the others to petition the king, but the peaceful rebellion they hoped for soon ignites into violence, mayhem and treachery. Tilda's fight for a better life is only just beginning...This page-turning adventure sheds new light on a period of history which is covered in the KS3 curriculum, and will have readers gripped from start to finish.

Thrilling historical adventure set during the English peasants' revolt of 1381, by Paul Dowswell, the author of Ausländer, and Wolf Children. It's 1381 and the king, Richard II, has imposed a new tax on the people. In the village of Aylesford, Tilda and her ploughman father were already struggling to make ends meet. As serfs they have no rights to move freely or earn wages for their work. Tilda is desperate for a better life than the village can offer, so when the villagers begin to rebel she is swept up in the excitement. Tilda and her father travel to London with the others to petition the king, but the peaceful rebellion they hoped for soon ignites into violence, mayhem and treachery. Tilda's fight for a better life is only just beginning...This page-turning adventure sheds new light on a period of history which is covered in the KS3 curriculum, and will have readers gripped from start to finish.

An accessible and thought-provoking introduction to the First World War and the Second World War, stunningly illustrated with dramatic contemporary photographs, paintings, posters and maps. This beautifully presented hardback book tells the story of both conflicts, from the trenches of the First World War to the battles and Blitz of World War Two.Please note this title is a combined volume containing Introduction to the First World War and Introduction to the Second World War.

The welcome given to refugees from fascist Europe is part of our fond nostalgia for Britain's role in the Second World War, nestling in our imagination next to images of evacuees clutching teddy bears, and milkmen picking their way through bomb rubble during the Blitz. But there is a darker side to this story. Then, as now, there was great suspicion, resentment and fear towards new arrivals, much of it kindled by the tabloid press. Then, as now, politicians dealt with a reluctance to accommodate refugees by hiding behind bureaucratic hurdles and obfuscation.Many of the 10,000 Kindertransport children who arrived here in the late 1930s have warm memories of the kindness they were shown, but half a million refugees were refused entry and most of them died as a result. And those who were accepted found their troubles far from over. While Britain fearfully awaited invasion in 1940, 30,000 Jews were interned as 'enemy aliens' and some were sent off to the colonies on dangerous and sometimes fatal voyages. Nor were Jews the only refugees clamouring for the thin gruel of public sympathy. Those fleeing fascism and civil war elsewhere in Europe found that whether they were met with kindness or hostility depended on the locals' political affiliations and newspapers of choice.Interweaving personal testimonies with historical sources, Paul Dowswell casts a fresh eye on the wartime era, painting a vivid picture of what life was really like for Britain's refugees.

How does a whale breathe? How does a snake see in the dark? Why do zebras have stripes? This fascinating book has all the answers and more. Simple, easy-to-read text, detailed illustrations and extraordinary wildlife photography introduce children to the wonders of the animal kingdom. Links to exciting recommended websites make this a fantastic resource for use at home or school.Chapters in this book include- Animal worldMammals- Mammals- What's for dinner?- Night mammals- Hide and seek- Escaping from enemies- Living together- Baby mammals- Sea mammalsBirds- Bird life- Colours- In the air- Bodies and beaks- Nests and chicksReptiles- Reptile life- Snap and grab- Special senses- Reptile defences- Young reptilesAmphibiansCreepy-crawlies- Creepy-crawlies- Baby bugs- Bug food- Colours and tricks- ButterfliesWater life- Living in the sea- Baby fish- Sea hunters- Sea monsters- Coral reefs

Discover the weird and wonderful world of witches and warlocks down the centuries - the facts, the myths, the folk tales and the horrifying truths. This title features over 300 colour photographs and illustrations that include medieval drawings, step-by-step instructions, maps, and cross-section of a wizard's workshop. It provides lots of magical things to make and do with 12 step-by-step projects - including making masks and costumes, carving a Halloween pumpkin, and making charms and spell-bags. It offers fact-boxes and accessible information for home reference and school projects. This is a stimulating and enjoyable reference and activity book for 8- to 12 year-olds at home and school. Seek out the practice of magic around the world and through the ages, from the spirit-worship of ancient civilizations to the spells and potions of modern-day witches. To help you find out more about this magical world, there are 12 step-by-step projects to make learning fun and challenging. Fact-boxes and accessible information make this the perfect introduction to the subject: the book is ideal for home reference and school projects.Over 300 photographs and historic illustrations include medieval drawings, astrological symbols, step-by-step instructions, fine art paintings, maps, and cut-aways of the amazing inside view of the wizard's workshop.

Sam is desperate to leave his sleepy Norfolk village and see the world. He seizes the chance to join a merchant ship, but soon discovers that a life at sea is harsh and often short, especially when his ship is attacked by a French privateer. About to be boarded, they fear all is lost, but the privateers are driven off by the appearance of a Royal Navy ship. Sam's relief is short-lived. Soon after, another Navy ship sends over a press gang, and he is forced to join the frigate Miranda. War with France and Spain is raging and Sam is caught in the middle with a dangerous job as a powder monkey in the company of a brutal crew. This is an amazingly well-researched adventure giving a glimpse of one boy's incredible life at sea.

Set during the final 24 hours before the armistice at 11 a.m. on 11th November 1918, the story follows a German storm trooper, an American airman and a British Tommy. Their destinies converge during the death throes of the first ever conflict to spread across the globe. War becomes incredibly personal as nationality and geography cease to matter to each of these teenagers on the Western Front, and friendship becomes the defining aspect of their encounter. But who will live and who will die before the end of the day?