Overview

'Do you feel safe?' A powerful novel exploring how teenagers can be swept up into county lines. For fans of PUNCHING THE AIR and SPLINTERS OF SUNSHINE. Erik's mum is juggling the challenge of two small babies, plus the recent death of her husband due to COVID-19. Both these factors affect teenage Erik too, struggling with homework as the babies continually cry or his mum needs help. When the difficulties at home affect Erik's behaviour at school and he gets in with the wrong crowd, Erik is tempted to earn some easy money. . . But this kind of money is never truly easy to earn and comes with a terrible cost. Written in verse, the thoroughly-researched narrative exploring how teenage boys can be drawn into county lines pulls the reader in from the very first page, as Erik makes some good - and some very bad - decisions...

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9781471413049

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Reviews

Just wow. Incredible voice, impeccably crafted - so funny, moving and terrifyingly real. A verse novel for our times. I read it, then read it again. So will you. * Finbar Hawkins, author of Stone * Crossing the Line is a fast-paced, highly readable novel in verse. This an exciting and growing sub-genre of YA fiction that tends to particularly appeal to reluctant or disengaged readers. The innovative use of different fonts and layouts in this case is particularly appealing and draws the reader into the narrative. The post-covid setting is very relatable and the murky world of drug dealing makes for addictive reading. * School Reading List * Let's hope the young people who read this brilliant book pass it on to their parents. They'll learn a lot. * Brian Patten, poet and author of Monster Slayer * While this novel is a work of fiction, it offers real insight into how children are groomed and coerced by adult criminals. * Claire Alldis, National Disrupting Exploitation Programme Manager for The Children's Society * A gripping read that packs a real punch. Compelling, gutsy and important, Crossing the Line is a stunning debut. * Lucy Cuthew, author of Blood Moon * Moving and compelling. * Louisa Reid, author of Wrecked *

Just wow. Incredible voice, impeccably crafted - so funny, moving and terrifyingly real. A verse novel for our times. I read it, then read it again. So will you. * Finbar Hawkins *

Just wow. Incredible voice, impeccably crafted - so funny, moving and terrifyingly real. A verse novel for our times. I read it, then read it again. So will you. * Finbar Hawkins * Crossing the Line is a fast-paced, highly readable novel in verse. This an exciting and growing sub-genre of YA fiction that tends to particularly appeal to reluctant or disengaged readers. The innovative use of different fonts and layouts in this case is particularly appealing and draws the reader into the narrative. The post-covid setting is very relatable and the murky world of drug dealing makes for addictive reading. * School Reading List *

"Just wow. Incredible voice, impeccably crafted - so funny, moving and terrifyingly real. A verse novel for our times. I read it, then read it again. So will you. * Finbar Hawkins, author of Stone * Crossing the Line is a fast-paced, highly readable novel in verse. This an exciting and growing sub-genre of YA fiction that tends to particularly appeal to reluctant or disengaged readers. The innovative use of different fonts and layouts in this case is particularly appealing and draws the reader into the narrative. The post-covid setting is very relatable and the murky world of drug dealing makes for addictive reading. * School Reading List * Let's hope the young people who read this brilliant book pass it on to their parents. They'll learn a lot. * Brian Patten, poet and author of Monster Slayer * While this novel is a work of fiction, it offers real insight into how children are groomed and coerced by adult criminals. * Claire Alldis, National Disrupting Exploitation Programme Manager for The Children’s Society * A gripping read that packs a real punch. Compelling, gutsy and important, Crossing the Line is a stunning debut. * Lucy Cuthew, author of Blood Moon * Moving and compelling. * Louisa Reid, author of Wrecked * This is an outstanding and important novel that should be widely read by parents and teachers as well as by the young people who will find it gripping, relatable, authentic and unputdownable. * LoveReading4Kids * I loved every moment - I could not put it down. THIS is why verse novels are so brilliant - the atmosphere captured in so few words, the rhythm, the characters and the extraordinary content. Highly highly recommended. Eye opening, compelling, and with characters I deeply care about. This is a book that will make a real difference. * Zana Fraillon author of The Way of Dog * Crossing the Line is a very exciting and engaging read...the book does a brilliant job exploring the idea of how one small choice can have a domino effect and spiral into massive consequences. Erik is a great protagonist, really feeling for him as he battles hardship after hardship, all in the hope of helping his struggling family. The writing is super accessible and the creativity in the shape of the poetry really makes this book stand out. It's a well-paced story that will make it all too easy to ""just read one more page... I know this book will appeal to a wide range of readers, suitable for 12+ years -- Ruth Ennis * Children's Books Ireland * I found myself totally immersed into Erik's world and the decisions he had to make. An incredibly powerful and poignant verse novel with themes of friendship, empathy, guilt & love. Totally compelling & engaging. * Jenny Hawke, Bromley Libraries * An incredible book which focuses on county lines - definitely one to share with students, staff and parents. * Shorny Malcolmson, PiXL Reading. * Urgent, intelligent and heart-breaking. . . would make a terrific graphic novel. . . I hope it will be widely read in schools up and down the UK. * Matthew Fox, author of The Sky Over Rebecca * A fantastic YA verse novel that is brutally honest. * Book Riot *"

Author Information

Crossing the Line is Tia Fisher's debut novel. In her spare time, she works in a children's library and is also completing an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. She has published poems in The Rialto and been longlisted for the Mslexia Children's Novel Award. Tia lives in South London with her husband and two teenage children (who wish she'd stop mining them for source material.)

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