Six stories -- one set in Dublin, the others in the countryside -- about children who get caught up in the War of Independence and suffer dire consequences.

Mattie Foley dreams of escaping the harshness of life in the Dublin slums, but her dreams and reality become dangerously entwined with the discovery of a gun.

When Statia Mulligan sets off to get feed for the hens, she longs for the peace and quiet of her favourite spot by the stream; she doesn't expect to become part of an ambush.

Larry Quinn goes after the cow that has strayed -- how could he know that in his absence the Black and Tans would force his mother to reveal all she knows?

This book was recognised by the Reading Association of Ireland Award. It was recognised in the Book of the Year category by the Bisto Book Award.

This book has been graded for interest at 10+ years.

There are 192 pages in this book. This is a short story book. This book was published 2012 by O'Brien Press Ltd .

Gerard Whelan was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and a multiple award-winner. His first novel, The Guns of Easter, won the Eilis Dillon Memorial Award for first-time writers. Dream Invader later won the Bisto Book of the Year Award. He has also been shortlisted for the Reading Association of Ireland awards. Gerard is also the author of A Winter of Spies and Out of Nowhere.