As an army private, Johnson Beharry served in Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Iraq. In Iraq in 2004, his actions in rescuing his wounded comrades while under heavy fire led to him becoming the youngest person ever to receive the Victoria Cross. Since then, Johnson has made hundreds of public appearances, speaking about his experiences with children and young people in schools, youth offenders' centres and prisons. He is currently working on setting up a charity - the JBVC Foundation - to help prevent young people becoming involved in crime and gang culture. He has even appeared in a series of Dancing on Ice (2011 series) reaching the semi-final stage.

HOME AGAIN tells twelve moving tales of homecoming, centred around VE Day. With a foreword by Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn. Produced in partnership with The Royal British Legion for the 75th anniversary of VE Day. A child evacuee, a Bletchley Park codebreaker, a rebel fighter, an Indian Army soldier... Each inspiring and authentic story helps to bring the end of World War Two into focus. Every story is followed by a fact file, packed with detail on different parts of the war. Stories written by Bali Rai, Leila Rasheed, Tony Bradman, Jim Eldridge, E.L. Norry and Emily Hibbs. 50p per paperback from the sale of HOME AGAIN in the UK will be paid to Royal British Legion Trading Limited which gives its taxable profits to The Royal British Legion (Charity no. 219279).

Paris, 1899. Abigail Wilson receives a letter from Professor Alphonse Flamand, a prominent French Professor of Archaeology, inviting her to join him on an archaeological dig in Egypt. Abigail is overjoyed to be presented with such an opportunity and prepares to meet the Professor at his office in The Louvre to discuss their upcoming plans. As Daniel has never been to Paris, the couple travel together, but when Abigail goes to the appointment, she finds Flamand with a knife in his chest. She pulls out the knife and tries to save him, but he is already dead. Suddenly, a secretary arrives and sees Abigail kneeling over the bloodied body. Abigail is arrested by security guards and taken to the police station despite pleading her innocence. There she is questioned and accused of Flamand's brutal murder . how will the Museum Detectives get out of this conundrum?

This title is part of Bug Club, the first whole-school reading programme to combine books with an online reading world to teach today's children to read. In this Year 4 Grey B (NC level 4c)...Could you...Start school at 6 o'clock in the morning? Manage with only two days' holiday a year? Sleep on a mattress filled with straw? If the answer is no you probably wouldn't make it as a Tudor schoolboy Look inside to experience what life was really like for a 9-year-old boy in Tudor Britain.

March, 1941. World War Two is well underway and the Blitz is taking its toll on Central London with bombs raining down almost every night. Inspector Coburg and his trusted Sergeant Lampson are just recovering from the devastating bomb attack on the Café de Paris when they get a call asking them to go to the disused Lord's Underground station. Once there, they are taken to see the body of a man on the former platform. He's been beaten to death by blows on the back of his head, by what Dr Welbourne believes to have been a cricket bat. Could the dead man be associated with the British Empire XI who are playing against English cricket teams at the world-famous Lord's cricket ground? Coburg and Lampson have a puzzling case to solve .

London, 1921. Prominent Cabinet minister Lord Amersham has been shot dead outside his Regents Park home, two bullets to the chest and one to the forehead. The killing bears the hallmarks of a professional hit. Tackling one of the most high-profile cases Scotland Yard has ever faced, DCI Paul Stark is under pressure to produce a quick result. Amersham's colleague, Secretary of State for the Colonies Winston Churchill, is convinced the Bolsheviks are responsible. Stark's colleagues at Special Branch believe there's a connection to the Government talks taking place over Irish Home Rule. Or could the motive be connected to Lord Amersham's scandalous private life? Then there is a second murder, once again committed by an expert marksman at close range - and the case takes a terrifying new twist . . .

Jack has always wanted a dog but his parents always say no. One day, Jack discovers that by saying the word 'Flash' his favourite comic book dog comes to life. When he appears, Flash always does something heroic. He saves a child from bullies and rescues a teacher from a fire. Then he disappears. Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 7-8 (Year 3) Book band: Brown A Phonics phase: N/A

DCI Paul Stark discovers that the bitter legacy of WWI casts a long shadow in the second of this intriguing historical mystery series. London, 1921. Lord Johnny Fairfax has been found dead in his study, along with a second victim, a mysterious American who arrived unannounced the previous evening. For DCI Paul Stark, the case is personal: he's in a relationship with Lord Fairfax's former wife, Lady Amelia. The dead man had no shortage of enemies. Winston Churchill, his former colleague at the War Office, is convinced the murder is revenge for the disaster at Gallipoli. Lady Amelia herself is accused of the crime. And who was the American visitor? What was his connection with Lord Fairfax - and could he have been the real target? As Stark digs deeper, he uncovers evidence of a shocking conspiracy that strikes at the heart of the British Establishment

London, 1921. Prominent Cabinet minister Lord Amersham has been shot dead outside his Regents Park home, two bullets to the chest and one to the forehead. The killing bears the hallmarks of a professional hit. Tackling one of the most high-profile cases Scotland Yard has ever faced, DCI Paul Stark is under pressure to produce a quick result. Amersham's colleague, Secretary of State for the Colonies Winston Churchill, is convinced the Bolsheviks are responsible. Stark's colleagues at Special Branch believe there's a connection to the Government talks taking place over Irish Home Rule. Or could the motive be connected to Lord Amersham's scandalous private life? Then there is a second murder, once again committed by an expert marksman at close range - and the case takes a terrifying new twist . . .

After rising to prominence for his role investigating the case of Jack the Ripper, former Detective Inspector Daniel Wilson is now retired. Known for his intelligence, investigative skills, and most of all his discretion, he's often consulted when a case must be solved quickly and quietly. So when a body is found in the Egyptian Collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, Wilson is called in. As he tries to uncover the identity of the dead man and the circumstances surrounding his demise, Wilson must contend with an unhelpful police Inspector, and more alarmingly, Abigail McKenzie, the archaeologist who discovered the body and is determined to protect the Egyptian collection. Can they find a way to work together to solve the mystery?

Christmas, 1940. A temporary truce between the German and Allied forces is a welcome respite from the relentless air raids over London. Down Street underground station, in the heart of Mayfair, is now a secret retreat for Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his cabinet. In this supposedly secure location, the body of a woman is found, stabbed in the heart. Detective Chief Inspector Coburg and Sergeant Lampson are called to investigate. However, whispers of treason as well as the suspicion of insidious Russian plots muddy the waters of the case, and personal resentments strike far too close to home. Everything is on the line for Coburg and Lampson as the body count steadily rises.

London, 1899. Queen Victoria lays the foundation stone on the site of a new museum being built, which she names as The Victoria and Albert Museum. Shortly after, Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton are called to the site because the dead body of a man, curator Andrew Page, has been found in one of the trenches. The Queen is determined that nothing will sully the new museum, and by association her beloved Albert's legacy. But the more Wilson and Fenton dig, the more they discover other potential motives for Page's murder, some with potentially explosive implications for the Royals and the Government. They will have to tread carefully as someone is determined that they will not uncover any more .

1897, London. The capital is shocked to learn that the body of a woman has been found at the National Gallery, eviscerated in a manner that recalls all too strongly the exploits of Jack the Ripper. The Museum Detectives Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton are contacted by a curator of the Gallery for their assistance. The dead woman, a lady of the night, had links to artist Walter Sickert who was a suspect during the Ripper's spree of killings. Scotland Yard have arrested Sickert on suspicion of this fresh murder but it is not the last. Copycat murders of the Ripper's crimes implicate the artist who loves to shock but Sickert insists that he is innocent. Wilson and Fenton have their work cut out catching an elusive and determined killer.

December, 1940. With the Luftwaffe pounding the city nightly, Londoners seek refuge in underground stations. Aldwych has been taken out of service to provide shelter for the British Museum's priceless Elgin Marbles, as well as civilians escaping the bombing. When the body of a young man is discovered on the tracks, wearing evening dress but barefoot, Detective Chief Inspector Coburg and Sergeant Lampson are on the case. Before long, more bodies are discovered, and Coburg's wife Rosa becomes a target for the brutal killer. Caught up in a world of underground jazz clubs, abandoned tube stations and looters, Coburg and Lampson must track down the ruthless murderer before it's too late.

London, 1899. A shocking murder is discovered at the heart of the Tower of London. The dead body of a Yeoman Warder is found inside a suit of armour belonging to Henry VIII, having been run through with a sword, and when details of this outrage are reported to the Prince of Wales, he fears this may be an expression of Republican unrest striking at the very home of the Crown Jewels. In the hopes of hampering the spread of news about the crime, the Prince reluctantly calls upon the services of Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton, the museum detectives, to investigate further. As their inquiries proceed, Wilson and Fenton learn about the long and bloody history of the Tower of London, but dark deeds are not confined to the Tower's shadowy past. More bones will see the light of day and the twists and turns of a dastardly plot will unravel before the museum detectives' case is closed.

Collins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available. Britain, 1940. The Blitz. For 12-year-old Ellie and her brothers, it’s not just about surviving the bombing, it’s trying to solve the mystery of the enemy within. Who’s attacking local people, and why? Diamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view. Text type: A story with a historical setting Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities. Jim Elridge was born in Camden Town in central London in 1944 during the Second World War. When he was a baby his pram was snatched from his elder sister's hands by a blast from an exploding V2 rocket, and he ended up unharmed (and still asleep) on a pile of rubble. He grew up in this area amid scenes of bomb-damage and devastation, and his memories and the tales of what his parents and elder sister went through during the Blitz have inspired this book, Blitz Kids.

1895. Former Scotland Yard detective Daniel Wilson, famous for working the notorious Jack the Ripper case, and his archaeologist sidekick Abigail Fenton are summoned to investigate the murder of a young woman at the Manchester Museum. Though staff remember the woman as a recent and regular visitor, no one appears to know her and she has no possessions from which to identify her. When the pair arrive, the case turns more deadly when the body of a second woman is discovered hidden in the depths of the museum. Seeking help from a local journalist, Daniel hopes to unravel this mystery, but the journey to the truth is fraught with obstacles and the mistakes of the past will not be forgotten ...

When a meteor heads towards Earth, there is only one person who can help... Using the world's largest known database of writing for and by children, our experts have defined 300 ambitious words to help children succeed at school. We've combined these with finelly levelled books that help you develop support comprehension and fluency, while inspiring and engaging your young readers.

When Jack says 'Flash' the dog from his comic comes to life. Unfortunately he says it by accident during the school play with disastrous consequences. However, Flash saves the day when Jack's classmate, Sara, falls into a pond. Part of the Bug Club reading series used in over 3500 schools Helps your child develop reading fluency and confidence Suitable for children age 7-8 (Year 3) Book band: Brown B Phonics phase: N/A

November 1920. Ireland is in the middle of a war for independence. One Sunday, events come to a head and an exciting football match turns into a survival battle for eleven-year-old Liam Donnelly. Soldiers shooting, machine guns firing, people screaming... How will Liam make it out of the stadium alive? And even if he does, is there anywhere safe left to go?

September 1940: the height of the Blitz. The Savoy Hotel boasts London's strongest air raid shelter with all the luxury expected from one of the capital's most prestigious hotels. It prompts the arrival of a disgruntled crowd from the East End, demanding they be allowed entry and respite from the endless bombing raids. They are given permission to enter and are stunned by the opulence that greets them. The all-clear sounds the next morning and London comes slowly back to life, but not everyone can dust themselves down and carry on. One of the hotel's guests has been discovered dead, stabbed in the back. Detective Chief Inspector Coburg and Sergeant Lampson are called in and the finger of suspicion falls firmly upon the East Londoners, but not everything is as it seems in these sumptuous surroundings.

One of the Claridge's kitchen porters is found dead - strangled. He was a recent employee who claimed to be Romanian, but evidence suggests he may have been German. Detective Chief Inspector Coburg has to find out exactly who he was, and what he was doing at Claridge's under a false identity. Once he has established those facts, he might get an insight into why he was killed, and who by. Coburg's job is complicated by the fact that so many of the hotel's residents are exiled European royalty. King George of Greece is registered as 'Mr Brown' and even the Duke of Windsor is staying, though without Wallis Simpson. Clandestine affairs, furtive goings-on and conspiracies against the government: Coburg must tread very lightly indeed .

August 1940. On the streets of London, locals watch with growing concern as German fighter planes plague the city's skyline. But inside the famous Ritz Hotel, the cream of society continues to enjoy all the glamour and comfort that money can buy during wartime - until an anonymous man is discovered with his throat slashed open. Detective Chief Inspector Coburg is called in to investigate, no stranger himself to the haunts of the upper echelons of society, ably assisted by his trusty colleague, Sergeant Lampson. Yet they soon face a number of obstacles. With the crime committed in rooms in use by an exiled king and his retinue, there are those who fear diplomatic repercussions and would rather the case be forgotten. With mounting pressure from various Intelligence agencies, rival political factions and gang warfare brewing either side of the Thames, Coburg and Lampson must untangle a web of deception if they are to solve the case - and survive.

A powerful novel about identity and loyalty, and reaching a hand out across cultural divides. Aithne is a twelve-year-old girl - a Briton - who wears the silver moon of a Wise Woman. Castus is a boy the same age, a Roman servant brought up to think of the Britons as barbarians not worth sparing. When Castus is sent to infiltrate the camp of the Britons, these two children from completely different worlds meet and form an unlikely alliance, before being swept into Boudicca's rebellion. Reflect is a series of emotionally powerful books with realistic settings, carefully crafted to promote thoughtful discussions and develop higher-level reading comprehension. Written by top childrens authors and developed with Literacy expert and Series Editor Nikki Gamble, these are books you can trust to engage, entertain and support childrens personal development. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to stories with the right depth and complexity for them, and helping them to progress. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children deepen their understanding and support their reading comprehension. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links to relationships education and support literacy skills.

London, 1896. Madame Tussauds opens to find one of its nightwatchmen decapitated and his colleague nowhere to be found. To the police, the case seems simple: one killed the other and fled, but workers at the museum aren't convinced and Scotland Yard enlists 'The Museum Detectives' Daniel Wilson and Abigail Fenton to aid the investigation. When the body of the missing nightwatchman is discovered encased within a wax figure, the case suddenly becomes more complex. With questions over the dead men's pasts and a series of bank raids plaguing the city, Wilson and Fenton face their most intricate and dangerous case yet.