THE KINGDOM BY THE SEA

BLITZ

Experience the drama and the danger of living through the Second World War with the children in these short stories.

BLITZCAT

She made her way down the cliff, and on to the beach. At the edge of the waves, she stopped, shaking her wet paws. She knew that somewhere ahead was her person, but far, far away. She miaowed plaintively; stood staring at the moving blur of uncrossable sea. She led the way to safety, out of the blazing hell of blitzed Coventry. People touched her for luck; feared her as an omen of disaster. Wherever she went, she changed lives...From her beginning to her end she never wavered. She was the Blitzcat.

THE CATS OF SEROSTER

The quest to find the legendary Seroster, guardian of the cities' great golden cats, leads Cam to unimagined perils.

THE CHRISTMAS GHOST

A thrilling Christmas ghost story set in Tyneside in 1930.

FALLING INTO GLORY

Robbie, growing up in England during World War 2, is a hugely fat boy and the butt of taunts and jokes. Later the fat turns to muscle and he becomes the star of the school rugby team. Emma Harris, one of the teachers, begins to notice him and she and Robbie begin a flirtation that turns into a passionate affair.

GULF

Shortly after the beginning of the Gulf War, Figgis (Andy) starts talking in his sleep in a strange language that his brother Tom doesn't understand, and calling himself "Latif". "Latif" gradually starts to take Figgis over - and Tom realises that Figgis has somehow become a boy in the Gulf.

THE MACHINE GUNNERS

Set in World War II a working machine gun, stolen from a crashed Heinkel leads police to suspect local boys.

THE SCARECROWS

Simon is outraged that his Mum plans to remarry. He can't bear her new fiancé or the way his mother and sister seem to have forgotten his late father. Overwhelmed by hatred and anger he seeks solace in a nearby abandoned water mill. But another, powerful hatred lingers within its walls. And it is about to be unleashed...

THE STONES OF MUNCASTER CATHEDRAL

Two stories of the supernatural, in the first, evil is leaking from the stones of Muncaster cathedral as a dark presence re-awakens. In 'Brangwyn Gardens', Harry Shaftoe's lodgings hide a sinister secret that he is now obsessed by.

THE WATCH HOUSE

When Anne is sent to stay with her old Nanny, Prudie, in Garmouth she is lonely, bored and unhappy. Fascinated by the old Watch House, she gradually believes that she is being followed by someone or something from the building.

THE WIND EYE

Sally is lured from her bed and into the night by a vision of St Cuthbert. Mike knows the only way to get her back is by using the boat which is controlled by the awful power of the Wind-Eye.

YAXLEY'S CAT

Carnegie winner and Smarties shortlist. When Yaxley's cat returns to his cottage to find his missing master, the villagers fear that a secret will come to light.