How's business - Alison Prince

11 year-old Howard Grainger is living with his mum through the Second World War Blitz in London. How's dad is away fighting the war, and How has grown used to the nightly bombing raids - he just gets on with his life, ducking and diving with his best friend, Clifford. But then How's mum sends him to live with his aunt and uncle in Lincolnshire, and his life changes more than he could have imagined. The country is not quite as gentle and dull as he thought, and How becomes embroiled in another war here - a war of predjudice.

Meanwhile, he looks forward to his mum's weekly letters - until they stop coming. How is worried sick, and then he does the bravest, most foolish thing he's ever done. He runs away, back to London, to find her.

Born in South London, Alison Prince now lives on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. She has three grown up children and, on the rare occasion when she's not writing, enjoys playing the clarinet, walking and reading. She travels a lot, mostly to schools in Scotland to talk to children. Her first book was published in 1972 and Alison has had more than 30 books published (including some adult) since. 'The Sheerwood Hero' won the Guardian Prize.