From start to finish this is an evocative, immersive and well-balanced read with brilliant characters, important discussions and some much-needed moments of levity too. Most importantly, however, When Our Worlds Collided is a story you certainly won’t forget in a hurry. I really enjoyed Danielle Jawando's recent visit to our school. Her talk was stimulating and helped deepen my insight into the themes of her book, such as racism and the justice system in the UK. I was also curious to hear about her personal writing process. I found her approachable, friendly and enjoyed meeting her after her talk.’ The Hidden City had offered him multiple chances to be all sorts of things. A magic wielding yokai. A waiter at a hot dog restaurant. A warrior. But of all those things, Usagi had turned to the Battle Nexus. Usagi was a samurai, born and trained to fight. He had chosen to leave his old life in Japan behind, but he hadn’t turned away from fighting. That’s why he had left, actually. To find a reasonable sensei to train him. It didn’t get him anything good but a taste for fighting dirty. Nobody had wanted to take up the sad rabbit from nowhere. Nobody cared about his family name. They just didn’t want to train him. Too brash. Too arrogant. Won't ever get anywhere in life. As time went on, Usagi grew to care less about what he had been told as a child. You need a Sensei, Usagi. Psh, yeah right. Usagi grew angry, got into a few fights, and next thing he knew he was looking to become someone. He wanted his name to be known.

The workshop Danielle gave was thoroughly enjoyable - using a picture to inspire creative writing is a different and easier way to inspire me! Thank you Danielle!' I know how you play, Big Mama. There always needs to be something in return. And this is what I ask for.” Usagi crossed his arms. “I’ll still fight in the Battle Nexus, I can promise you that, but I don’t want to be under contract. I’m free to go anywhere and fight anyone I want. I’m not bound to you.” He looked at Draxum. “That’s my offer. If you can’t get me that, it’s a no-go.” I loved Danielle Jawando’s books especially when our worlds collided, I thought the message behind all the excitement and suspense, was really inspiring and moving, so seeing her in real life reinforced that and in the process I learnt so much. Danielle is a role model to look up to and her visit to Ardingly college has inspired me to write more and has made me even more eager to read more of her books!’ A powerful coming-of-age story about chance encounters, injustice and how the choices that we make can completely change our future. The second YA novel from the critically acclaimed Danielle Jawando, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Gayle Foreman, Jennifer Niven and Nikesh Shukla. I offer an interactive talk about my path to becoming an author, where I get my inspiration and the themes within my books (this is then followed by a Q&A.) As both ‘When Our Worlds Collided’ and ‘And the Stars Were Burning Brightly’ explore quite challenging issues this is recommend for Year 9 and above.Spying was hard work. You had to blend in, and Usagi wasn’t sure how well he could blend in with a group of seemingly delinquent turtle teens. “How exactly am I getting to them? I mean, it’s not like they’re gonna trust me right away.” Cats: An incredible novel all round! Most probably a new favourite. I'll re-read and highly recommend. This threesome of new friendship in Manchester all faced different inequalities whether that was walking down the street, just being in class or trying to live in the care system. Some of the things that happened in this book made me rage. The organisational prejudice was hideous, police and media. Ms Edwards was a complete tool and as an educator myself, I hated her with a passion but I know people like her exist which is, I guess, why I hated her so much. But then we had Gran, Mrs Cohen and Dry Eileen who frankly was a hug in human form; I adored her.

Glad you could join us, my little samurai.” Big Mama smiled at Usagi. “Usagi, this is Baron Draxum. Baron Draxum, this is Yuichi Usagi. One of my finest champions.” As well as a writer, Alabanza is also a performance artist, and in 2017 they became the youngest recipient of an artist residency at the Tate. Their debut show, Burgerz, won the Edinburgh fringe total theatre award in 2019.

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A powerful coming-of-age story about chance encounters, injustice and how the choices that we make can completely change our future. The second YA novel from multi-award-winning Danielle Jawando, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas, Gayle Foreman, Jennifer Niven and Nikesh Shukla.

Draxum grinned, about as friendly and sharp as the blade of a katana, and outheld his hand. “So, do we have a deal, Usagi?” I knew I would like the book. I've read Jawando's first and was hit hard by her writing and subject matter. I feel I know these issues, but even then, as I read, different things kept on being lit like little flares of SOS or distress.

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A young lad, Marc, moving through the care system with no one behind him, except his most recent carer, who might not be as bad as he thinks, and also hiding more about his identity than just his living circumstances. Why would they do that? That’s awful.” Usagi glared at the faces of the brothers in the photo. So these were the bad guys his family had predicted he’d fight. They looked rather…pathetic. So yeah I think an entirely separate book dedicated to the unfairness of the justice system would have been a better choice. Because there’s just so many elements to it and squeezing it into a book that had two other characters to worry about didn’t quite work.

Well, you’ll be getting to know them very soon. They’re currently the only thing in my way from accomplishing my current goal, and I need a means of stopping them. But they’re unpredictable, wild, and always unexpected.” He smiled coldly. “That is where you come in. You will serve as my spy.” Love the writing style so much! It is very easy-going despite the plot which makes me sitting on the edge. In the other hand, the author made it surprisingly impactful, spitting facts everywhere. The plot hahshaha were amazing. We got to see each characters' own story and how they deal with this endless issue. This book made me went in-character so much. Feeling soo many emotion and just- I hate to see them suffer for the things that didn't have to do with them, or even define them :'( This book is one of those stories that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. As you watch the relationship of the three characters develop you see the joy it is bringing them. But then you also see how outside factors in the world are piled against them and you can't help but feel rage. It is especially hard to read this without getting upset because you know that these interactions happen to people every day in real life. Beautifully and emotionally written, Danielle does not let you down with this immense story. A story, that it would seem, is becoming more and more frequent in this day and age. Usagi took the photo, staring at the turtle yokai. Leonardo. Draxum was expecting Usagi to do something that felt rather impossible at the moment. Usagi could lie, cheat, deceive. But it was harder to do when it came to someone’s heart. Playing with the mind was easy, the heart was tougher. But how hard could it be? He slayed yokai of all kinds on the daily, and was one of the best champions Big Mama had. If he could do that, he could accomplish a simple spy mission. “What do I get out of it?” Usagi ventured. If Big Mama had taught him anything, it was that there was also something to be gained.Sometimes, to begin to understand a situation which happens with terrifying regularity, a fictional account allows you far more insight than a bland newspaper article or television news report. Author Danielle Jawando has written a novel which gives you this opportunity through the eyes of those most intimately involved when a teenage boy is fatally stabbed for no discernible reason. As a father and a teacher, I am grateful to authors like Danielle Jawando. Although there is a great deal of darkness in the novel’s story, Jawando’s Al leaves us with a light message that we should all remember: 'Even in times of great trauma, of great tragedy and sadness, there is always still hope.' TES