Publication of this book is timed to coincide with the implementation of recommendations of a groundbreaking United Nations study on Violence Against Children. To support Save the Children and raise awareness for its fight to end violence against children, bestselling authors from around the world have banded together to create a bold and moving anthology of stories about childhood. Participants include such acclaimed and award-winning authors as Ali Smith ( The Accidental ), David Almond ( Skellig ), Melvin Burgess ( Junk ), Meg Rosoff ( How I Live Now ) and Richard Zimler ( The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon ).In The Children's Hours , these and fifteen other renowned authors explore and celebrate childhood; their tales touching on abuse and rejection, loneliness and love, the joys of friendship and discovery, and the first confused inklings of adolescent love. A major launch is planned for London in order to bring attention to this timely initiative. All writers' royalties will be donated to Save the Children for its work to end violence against young people.