By Manjeet Mann (author)
"Powerful, often heart wrenching narrative poem"
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Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2021 | Shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022 | Shortlisted for the 2022 CLiPPA (CLPE Children’s Poetry Award) | Winner of the UKLA Book Awards 2023: 11 - 14
The premise of this fascinating book is two teenagers from opposite sides of the world who form a connection through odd circumstances. Natalie has just lost her Mum to cancer and struggles to find a calm place in the world, whilst her brother reacts by rebelling and joining a hate filled far right anti-refugee protest and action group. Sammy has had to leave his home in Eritrea on the chance of a new life in Europe – running from conscription into the army - which is a form of slavery in his home country.
Both characters have huge issues to face. Sammy’s seem more obviously dangerous and overwhelming, though Natalie’s are equally as difficult - without the imminent danger. Told through a narrative poem using both voices to alternately express their fears, dilemmas and friendships this is a book you really can’t put down. You have to know if Sammy and Natalie do get to meet.
As the plot carries you along you also want to know more about the plight of refugees and the horrific characters that exploit them in many many ways. Natalie’s decision to swim the channel to raise funds for the refugee charities creates a counterpoint in the narrative. The detail of her struggles and training plan seem an unlikely text for poetry - but it works!
The author says “I wanted to make sense of what I was seeing, I wanted to do something that would help build empathy and understanding.” She has most emphatically succeeded in this aim. This is such a profound story of hope, grief, and strength - I do recommend it to all. Be aware you will weep, too.
A trailblazing new novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis. Natalie's world is falling apart. She's just lost her mum and her brother marches the streets of Dover full of hate and anger.
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Swimming is her only refuge.
Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes on his journey is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future. A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope. But is hope enough to mend a broken world?
Praise for Run, Rebel;
A Guardian best book of 2020
A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems . . . Mann's brilliant, coruscating verse novel lays out the anatomy of Amber's revolution, and the tentative first flowerings of hope and change. Guardian
Manjeet Mann is a multi-award-winning author, playwright, screenwriter and actress. Her debut YA novel, Run Rebel , was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and won the CILIP Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award, along with several other accolades. Her second novel, The Crossing , won the Costa Children’s Book Award, among other honours, and was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the YA Book Award. Manjeet also writes picture books, including Small’s Big Dream , which won the Readers’ Choice Award at the Diverse Book Awards. She adapted Run Rebel for the stage with Pilot Theatre, earning Best Production at the Off West End Stage Awards. Manjeet lives in Scotland.
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Costa Children's Book Award 2021
Yoto Carnegie Medal | Kate Greenaway Medal 2022
Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Poetry Award (CLiPPA) 2022
UKLA Book Awards 2023
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A trailblazing new novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis. Natalie's world is falling apart.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Crossing and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
The Crossing features in the following genres: Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations, Gritty Reads, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Stories in Verse, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, PSHE: Bullying and Discrimination, PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, Sporting Stories, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Crossing was written by Manjeet Mann and published by Penguin Books Ltd an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
The Crossing has 309 pages
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.
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