Fiction for Teens

In Callum and Sephy’s society, Noughts, the white citizens,  are ruled by Crosses, the black citizens. Callum, a Nought, and Sephy, a Cross,  who have been friends since childhood, soon learn that Noughts and Crosses simply don’t mix when Callum goes to a mainly Crosses school for the first time. As they get closer, they find it harder and harder to be together. Then, everything changes when the bomb goes off…

This is the most thought-provoking book I’ve read in a while — it touches on some tough topics like terrorism and racism. The book is written from the points of view of Callum and Sephy, alternating between the two. This worked really well, especially as the story is told over a number of years. While the pair’s feelings and emotions changed as time went by, the writing style didn’t change as they matured.

However, Callum and Sephy are two very different characters which made it an interesting read. I really enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to reading her latest book, Chasing the Stars, especially as I saw her at the Hay Festival earlier this month.