Deadly Sky (ePub), The (16 page)

Something in the water, a hundred yards or so away.

Russell jerked the binoculars back, trying to find it again.

He had to be sure; mustn't make a fool of himself.

Where was it? Then he saw it through the lenses once more.

His voice rang along the deck.

‘Mine! Bearing 290 degrees. 100 yards. Mine!'

Sixteen-year-old Boy Seaman Russell Purchas is stationed on HMNZS
Taupo
, which has just entered hostile waters off the coast of Korea. It's 1951, and his ship is part of the United Nations force fighting in the Korean War. Russell is determined to prove himself against the communists – not just because he wants to be brave, but because he wants to escape the shadow of his Uncle Trevor, killed in World War II. Everyone thinks Trevor was a hero, but Russell knows the shameful truth.

But can Russell keep himself together when the shells start falling? And does he really know what courage means.

Simon is a typical teenager – in every way except one. Simon likes girls, weekends and enjoys mucking about and playing practical jokes. But what's different is that Simon has muscular dystrophy – he is in a wheelchair and doesn't have long to live.
See Ya, Simon
is told by Simon's best friend, Nathan. Funny, moving and devastatingly honest, it tells of their last year together.

Winner of the Times Educational Supplement Nasen Award. Winner of the Silver Plume Award (Germany). A Kirkus Notable Book (USA).

… my right foot slipped on the accelerator. The engine revved, and the car shot forward. For half a second my eyes met Ash's. He was staring past me, through the windscreen. He began to yell something. Somehow I knew what it was. I wrenched my head round, foot stabbing for the brake. And there was the girl, right in front of us.

Tara is heading home. Ryan is driving his mates. Neither of them is paying attention. The tragedy that follows changes many lives.

Finalist New Zealand Post Children's Book Awards 2005. White Ravens List 2005 Special Mention.

Published by the Penguin Group
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Published by Puffin Books, 2014

Copyright © David Hill, 2014

The right of David Hill to be identified as the author of this work in terms of section 96 of the Copyright Act 1994 is hereby asserted.

Maps by Sarah Healey

Cover images by
iStockphoto.com
, except background explosion by Dreamstime

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-743-48608-5