The power of football to transform a boy’s life makes a roller coaster story line to this touching novel of how Makis, newly arrived in London from a Greek island destroyed by an earthquake, builds a new life for himself through his prowess at football. Set in 1950s London, Aftershock is both tender as it describes how Makis helps his mother adapt to their new life and optimistic about how children adapt and flourish in new situations.
Makis and his mother Sofia escape a devastating Greek earthquake which has claimed his father's life. They move to North London and at first it is hard, especially at school, but being a gifted footballer, Makis slowly begins to fit in. But through no fault of his own, Makis lets down his team at an important match and the whole school, even the teachers, seem to turn against him.
'Ashley excels at tautly-potted, timely and highly
topical thrillers which pack a real emotional punch.' - Rivetting Reads
'This perfectly plotted thriller.' - Bookseller
Author
About Bernard Ashley
Bernard Ashley lives in Charlton, south east London, only a street or so from where he was born. He was educated at the Roan School, Blackheath and Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, Rochester. After National Service in the RAF Bernard trained to teach at Trent Park College of Education, specializing in Drama. He followed this with an Advanced Diploma at the Cambridge Institute and has recently been awarded honorary Doctorates in Education by the University of Greenwich and in letters by the University of Leicester. During his career as a teacher he worked in Kent, Hertfordshire, Newham and Greenwich, with thirty years of headships in the last three. His debut novel The Trouble with Donovan Croft won the Other Award, the alternative to the Carnegie Medal, and several of his other titles have been highly commended by the Carnegie Medal panel.
