By E. L. Norry (author)
"A heartwarming slice of middle grade social realism, Outlaws is a story about friendship and family and about getting the strength and self-belief that enables you to stand up for justice for yourself and others."
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August 2026 Book of the Month
Will, Robyn and Scarlett are the titular ‘outlaws’, who are all in Year 8 at Sherwood High, which has an acting headteacher called Mr Nottingham, so we are given lots of clues that this engrossing story may turn out to be about fighting for social justice.
The three equally strong narrative voices really hook the reader in and enable us to understand their situations and why, initially, they may be afraid to share personal details with each other, having only just met in a detention which none of them deserved.
Like Jacqueline Wilson before her this is an author who can write with real authenticity and compassion about young people from underrepresented groups. Will is trying cope as a carer for his mum and younger brothers, earning money from his side hustle of doing other kid’s homework. Scarlet is in a new foster home and is desperate to stay where she is, despite the bullying of an older daughter in the family.
Robyn is autistic and currently lives with her grandad, after her parents separated. She loves nothing more than helping out at her grandad's bike repair shop, but with her dad working in Italy, she must cope alone when her Grandad starts to forget things and behave erratically.
But despite all of this, when they find themselves in a situation where the head teacher seems determined to go out and pick on the children who are most vulnerable, by cutting bursaries and limiting opportunities, they suspect that there is something seriously wrong at their school and are determined to find a way of setting things right.
These are flawed but very relatable and likeable characters, who discover the comfort of sharing their burdens and demonstrate great moral courage, resilience and loyalty. The highly satisfactory comeuppance that they deliver to the villain of the story will be much enjoyed while also giving readers plenty to think about and discuss.
A page-turning story about three unlikely schoolfriends who learn they can take on the world when they stick together; perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson.
Read the full description
Robyn, Will and Scarlet first meet in detention. Robyn is not looking for friends - being new in Year 8 and everything changing at home is more than enough for her to cope with.
Will is smiling, as usual - he's got it under control: acing his schoolwork, caring for his sick mum, looking after his little brothers. He's even got a side hustle to help out with the bills.
Scarlet just wants to keep her head down. Her latest foster parents are the best ever - so if she can just be quiet and avoid their bullying daughter, she really hopes she can stay there. But the three of them soon notice that the new headteacher is making life really hard for the kids least able to defend themselves. Banding together, these three unlikely 'outlaws' come up with a crazy idea to help those in need, only to find just what they need themselves: true friends.
'Gripping, heartfelt ... unforgettable' Jenny Pearson, author of The Super-Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates , on E.L. Norry's previous book, Runaways
'An exciting, heartrending story' - Jacqueline Wilson on Fablehouse
Emma Norry is a rising star with a particular interest in exploring difficult issues and complex characters. She is the author of Amber Undercover (written under Em Norris) and Son of the Circus , part of Scholastic’s Voices series which was shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards.
She says: 'Finding reading a challenge shouldn't deter anyone from enjoying a good story. I believe that stories are how we make sense of the world; they are an essential part of who we are and what makes us human.'
Though historical fiction, Fablehouse draws on Emma’s personal experiences as a mixed-race child and teenager growing up in the care system in Cardiff, Wales.
Emma Norry has a BA (Hons) in Film and an MA in Screenwriting.
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A page-turning story about three unlikely schoolfriends who learn they can take on the world when they stick together; perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. Robyn, Will and Scarlet first meet in detention.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Outlaws and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Outlaws features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, School Stories, PSHE: Bullying and Discrimination, PSHE: Family Issues, PSHE: Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem and Wellbeing, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Outlaws was written by E. L. Norry and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Outlaws has 315 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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