Overview
Is Marcus's fate decided by his family? Or can he stand up for himself to become the person he really wants to be? Long-listed for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2025 'An exceptional story from one of our finest writers' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse 'Gripping and thought-provoking' Book Trust 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. 'Understatedly compelling, with assured characterisation and a 1980s Welsh setting, this story of breaking free from small-town expectations is another banger for 9+ from the award-winning Parr' Guardian
Full Product Details
Author: Lesley Parr
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
Dimensions:
Width: 12.80cm
, Height: 3.00cm
, Length: 19.60cm
Weight: 0.250kg
ISBN: 9781526648013
ISBN 10: 1526648016
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 18 July 2024
Recommended Age: From 8 to 14 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
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Reviews
Clever, compassionate, full of real- life conflict, this is an exceptional story from one of our finest writers. -- Emma Carroll
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 Understatedly compelling, with assured characterisation and a 1980s Welsh setting, this story of breaking free from small-town expectations is another banger for 9+ from the award-winning Parr. -- Imogen Russell-Williams * Guardian *
Author Information
Lesley Parr grew up in a South Wales steel town. Her debut, The Valley of Lost Secrets, published in 2021 and was a Waterstones Book of the Month, longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, and shortlisted for both the Branford Boase and UKLA awards. Lesley’s books have won the Tir na n-Og Award (2022,2024) and Wales Children’s Book of the Year (2023), amongst others. All four of her novels so far have received CILIP Carnegie Medal nominations. A former primary school teacher, she holds an MA with distinction in Writing for Young People. Lesley now lives in England with her husband and rescue cat, Ramsay. She shares her time between writing stories, tutoring adults and shouting at rugby on the TV.
