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This is a contemporary tale about two friends - one of whom, Asra, is an asylum seeker from an unnamed Eastern European country. The other, Ruby Tanya, is the daughter of a local man who is campaigning against the presence of asylum seekers in his community. During a dramatic explosion at the girls' school, a young teacher is killed. The asylum seekers at the local camp are blamed, and local people begin to argue that they should be deported. A branch of the National Front gets involved and demos are planned. Asra and her parents are due to be deported, but Asra runs away at the last minute so her parents have to return without her. She hides in a nearby derelict building and is helped by Ruby Tanya. Provides a gently persuasive argument for doing the right thing even if that leads you into conflict with your family * TES * The book opens with an explosion and maintains its pace throughout * Observer * The subject is very relevant today and Swindell's approach for younger readers is superbly formed * Independent On Sunday * The plot moves quickly, building to a gripping and frightening climax . . . An interesting read * The School Librarian * Is a challenging story of friendship set against difficult and topical subject matter * The Sunday Times *

Ruby Tanya