Is Marcus's fate decided by his family? Or can he stand up for himself to become the person he really wants to be? A totally gripping read for readers of 10 and over, from the winner of the Wales Children's Book of the Year Award 2023.
Marcus has one brother in a youth offender centre and the other is working with their dad on plans for their next theft. Everyone assumes Marcus will follow in their footsteps, but he has other ideas, different hopes.
When a mysterious accident lands a man in hospital, it confirms what everyone in their community expects and Marcus gets the blame. He feels trapped. Only new girl Emma - with her peace protest banners and political badges - questions this story. Can they work together to clear his name – and help Marcus become the person he really wants to be?
An exciting and moving story about questioning your loyalties, from the acclaimed author of The Valley of Lost Secrets. Perfect for readers of 10+ who love Phil Earle, Frank Cottrell-Boyce or Brian Conaghan.
Clever, compassionate, full of real-life conflict, this is an exceptional story from one of our finest writers. -- Emma Carroll
A superb evocation of time, place and character. A compelling and sympathetic underdog’s eye-view. It’s funny, hurtful, pulsing and gets right to the heart of what it feels like to be young both back then and right now. -- Keith Gray
Author
About Lesley Parr
Lesley Parr is the author of three novels for children for which she has won the Tír na nÓg Children's Book Awards, the King’s School Chester Book Award and the North Somerset Teachers Book Awards, as well as being shortlisted for many others.
Her debut, The Valley of Lost Secrets, was published in 2021 and was both a Waterstones Book of the Month and longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. Lesley grew up in South Wales and now lives in England with her husband. A former primary school teacher from a Welsh working-class background, Lesley is passionate about seeing more working-class voices in fiction for children.