Seed Time
Published on 14. June 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-340-80570-1 (ISBN)
Description
Robert and Michael are at a crossroads in their lives - Michael alienated by his father's death, and profoundly disaffected at school, Robert worried about his friend and the impending failure of his father's business. When they retrieve a tankard - once belonging to the nineteenth-century poet John Clare - from a heath pond, their find becomes national news. But the heath is designated for housing development - and the contractor is the one responsible for the death of Michael's father.
Following public protests over the future of the heath, the contractor tries to bribe Robert's father - financial help for his ailing magazine, if he will persuade the boys to end the protests. But Robert and Michael withstand the blackmail and the defence of the heath is ultimately successful. They are all profoundly altered by these events: for Michael it is the beginning of a process of rehabilitation. And Robert's family begin to deal with their debts and family relationships in a different way . . .
Following public protests over the future of the heath, the contractor tries to bribe Robert's father - financial help for his ailing magazine, if he will persuade the boys to end the protests. But Robert and Michael withstand the blackmail and the defence of the heath is ultimately successful. They are all profoundly altered by these events: for Michael it is the beginning of a process of rehabilitation. And Robert's family begin to deal with their debts and family relationships in a different way . . .
Reviews / Votes
Refreshingly realistic, sensitive writing from a new author with his finger on the pulse of teenage boys and their concerns * Carousel, Autumn 2003 * CONTROL-SHIFT' . . . if this impressive work is anything to go by, (Nick Manns) is one to watch . . . well-written, suspenseful and a true page-turner, CONTROL-SHIFT is an uncompromising novel that will leave readers wide-eyed and breathless.' AMAZON.CO.UK I liked this book a lot. It was easy to read. The characters were very realistic, and the plot dealt with real issues. I would recommend it highly. * Teen Titles, reviewed by Rosa Marnie from Trinity * 'A challenging and thought-provoking read, which handles complex issues with courage and originality.' BOL.COM . . . if this impressive work is anything to go by, (Nick Manns) is one to watch . . . well-written, suspenseful and a true page-turner, CONTROL-SHIFT is an uncompromising novel that will leave readers wide-eyed and breathless. * Amazon.co.uk * CONTROL-SHIFT: 'A challenging and thought-provoking read, which handles complex issues with courage and originality.' * Bol.com *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hachette Children's Group
Target group
Children/juvenile
Young adult
US School Grade: Seventh Grade and over, Interest Age: From 12 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
207 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-340-80570-1 (9780340805701)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
While Nick Manns was growing up, his father was in the RAF. Every two years his family would pack up and move to another RAF base - but one of the things that stayed firm during his childhood were the stories he could fetch from the local library. Even in some remote desert outpost, there was alway a book to transport him to other worlds. He has written stories and poems every since. Formerly a secondary school English teacher, he is now a curriculum coordinator for Leicester College. A published writer of books about teaching, CONTROL-SHIFT was his debut novel, shortlisted for the North-East Book Award and the Branford Boase Award, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and nominated for the Stockton Award.