Overview

The high school is on fire. Aaron Smith, the local bad boy, is arrested at the scene. He’s locked up by the end of the night, guilty until proven innocent. Only two people know the truth about what happened; Aaron and his little sister. Aaron will do anything to save his sister, including going to prison without a trial. But then the pandemic comes to Scotland, and trials are cancelled. Aaron finds himself locked up, in a lockdown, and no one is able to help him. Blood Red Sky is a story of love, loss, humour and hope and makes you wonder; what should we do with teenagers who cross the line? Should we lock them up, or take time to find out the truth?

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9781911740056

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Reviews

""Despite the darkness that Blood Red Sky explores, this is not a hopeless book. What Sara has done so well is to balance truth with hope and show that with the right support, change is possible. Cycles can be broken. Futures can be reimagined. Relationships can heal. This is not wishful thinking – it is a reflection of what happens when compassion, courage, and understanding meet action."" – Fiona Dyer, Director, Children & Young People’s Centre for Justice 'Realist fiction at its most powerful' – Jennifer Horgan, author of ‘O Captain, My Captain': One Teacher's Call for Change… 'A deeply affecting look at the impact of intergenerational poverty and violence on family bonds and teenagers' perceptions of inevitability and their own power and choices.' – Gráinne Murphy, author of Winter People 'Hard-hitting, immersive and poignant.’ – Nicola Garrard, author of 29 Locks and 21 Miles

""Despite the darkness that Blood Red Sky explores, this is not a hopeless book. What Sara has done so well is to balance truth with hope and show that with the right support, change is possible. Cycles can be broken. Futures can be reimagined. Relationships can heal. This is not wishful thinking – it is a reflection of what happens when compassion, courage, and understanding meet action."" – Fiona Dyer, Director, Children & Young People’s Centre for Justice

Author Information

Sara Cullen is an Irish writer living in Fife, Scotland. Sara’s commitment to writing for social justice began in her teens when she joined Amnesty International and corresponded with a pen pal on death row in Oklahoma. Inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird at age 13 (thanks to her English teacher), Sara pursued a degree in English Literature from University College Cork and later spent 17 years teaching English in Scottish high schools. She also served as a Guidance Teacher in areas of high deprivation. Sara’s dedication to child welfare led her to work in the Public Protection Unit and earn a qualification in Child Welfare and Protection from the University of Stirling. Her writing reflects her belief that books have the power to change the world and her commitment to amplifying the voices of care-experienced children who have encountered the justice system at a young age.

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