Author: John Christopher

Published: 1975

Publisher: Heinemann

Format: Hardback

Pages: 160

Suitable: Secondary

One of a series of fiction for schools. The moral of this story, set in the 21st century, is that freedom has to be won and kept by the young. It won the "Guardian" Prize for Children's Literature.

England has been divided into two camps - the Conurbs and the Country. Rob, escaping from the noise, crowds and violence of the Conurb, tunnels under the fence into the rural peace of the country. But as he tries to adapt to the rich and leisurely life on the other side, he discovers all is not as calm as it seems. There are sinister forces at work.