LoveReading4Kids Says
Interest Age 13+ Reading Age 7
Inspired by a tragic real-life event, Bali Rai’s A Sudden Storm presents a tremendously impactful, character-driven account of a horrifying racist attack.
Ahead of celebrating his 16th birthday, Arjan’s dad shares the sage advice that, “Life is about moving forward. It is about doing well and being happy.” Feeling happy ahead of celebrating his birthday with his mates, with the possibility of something special happening with Jem, Arjan is subjected to racist remarks when he almost collides with a white van: “Probably can’t hear with that nappy on your head,” the driver says of Arjan’s turban. “You ain’t English with that stupid rag on your head!”
A little while later, while getting changed for his night out, Arjan reflects on the incident: “What did they know about turbans? Mine was like my Sikh crown.” At his mother’s suggestion, Arjan adorns a bright red turban to wear to the cinema: “Arsenal FC red, or so I told people.” Shockingly, a second encounter with the white van man comes to a violent crescendo that’ll leave readers stunned, and ready to question and call out bigotry.
Juxtaposing the joy of Arjan’s loving family, close friends, and a sense of him being of the cusp of good things in life with the ignorant hatred of racists, A Sudden Storm is a powerful, thought-provoking read, with top-notch dialogue and crisp writing that’ll grip even the most reluctant of readers.
Joanne Owen
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A Sudden Storm Synopsis
An innocent night out to celebrate a sixteenth birthday turns to tragedy in this powerful story of racial intolerance from award-winning author Bali Rai.
It's Arjan's sixteenth birthday and he's celebrating with his mates - going to see a film and then get a Nando's. He's looking forward to some good banter and wondering what might happen with Jem, who's been looking at him differently these days ... But the night comes to a dramatic and violent end when Arjan is targeted by a group of racist thugs, who single him out due to the colour of his skin and the turban that he wears, a symbol of his commitment to his faith and culture. Is the life of a good friend and beloved son really worth so little?
Specially designed and edited to a reading age of 7, this title is aimed at struggling teen readers, and is also ideal for EAL learners, filling a crucial gap for engaging, age-appropriate titles.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781800902534 |
| Publication date: |
5th October 2023 |
| Author: |
Bali Rai |
| Illustrator: |
David Shephard |
| Publisher: |
Barrington Stoke Ltd |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
72 pages |
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About Bali Rai
Bali Rai was born in Leicester where he grew up in a multicultural community dreaming of playing football for Liverpool FC, being Bob Marley or becoming a writer. He writes the books he would have enjoyed as a teenager and Rani and Sukh is a set-text for GCSE English. His novel Killing Honour won the North East Teenage Book Award and was described as “utterly compelling” by The Bookseller; Now or Never was shortlisted for the Little Rebels Prize in 2020.
Bali is Booktrust's online writer in residence. Click here to read his blog.
More About Bali Rai
