Robbers on the Road

Description

An exciting tale, narrated from two very different perspectives, about two boys' efforts to become highwaymen to fool their school teacher. Further danger lies in store when they realize that they've strayed on to another robber's patch... By turns funny and thrilling - with an brilliant twist in the tale - this has all the hallmarks of a classic Melvin Burgess story. In addition, it's a story that explores a fast-changing period of history, and brings it vividly to life. As Melvin Burgess notes, 'Tensions between Britain and Spain were high, political talk was all of spies and treachery and war. Religion was a big issue - you could be imprisoned or worse for following the wrong faith.'

Born in London in 1954, Melvin Burgess trained as a journalist and then spent a number of years pursuing various jobs, often in the building industry, until he turned to full-time writing. Melvin's books are renowned for dealing with tough subjects such as homelessness, disability, child abuse, witchcraft and drugs. Four times he has been shortlisted for the prestigious Carnegie Medal, a prize he won with his most famous book, Junk. This novel also won the Guardian Fiction Prize. Melvin has written an earlier Flashbacks title, The Copper Treasure.