The Wind Singer is the first book in the ‘Wind On Fire’ trilogy. It is a fantasy novel set in the mythical meritocratic city of Aramanth, where each family is judged entirely on their ability to perform in examinations, and to be unsuccessful in these is seen as a great source of shame. Every citizen must abide by the ‘Oath of Dedication’, meaning that they must constantly ‘strive harder to reach higher.’ Suitability:A novel in a western setting with a heroine as its narrator. Accessible to all readers. A number of setting specific references which may need a little explanation for the student. In “The Weight of Water” (Bloomsbury 2012), Sarah Crossan tells us only what we need to know in her spare verse. We can fill in the rest ourselves. She must think her readers are intelligent, which makes us feel good.

This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality” by JoAnn Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy Die Sieger des Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreises 2020". jugendliteratur.org. Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur . Retrieved 16 October 2020. Student Voice:“I found this novel very enjoyable, full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.” Olivia, aged 15 I would have loved to have had a few more poems set when Kasienka and her mum were in Poland. I think it would have added a great contrast between the different cultures.But I wouldn’t say that this is a particularly sad book. Yes there are a lot of moving poems, especially when Kasienka first moves to England and constantly feels “unwanted and misused”, but I also saw this book as more about finding out who you are and becoming comfortable with it. Well Ms Crossan obviously listened to me and therefore she deserves the prize of a Flo-induced Theme Tune. A prize so coveted by authors across the land…. Swimming is just about the only thing Kasienka can do right; in the water, she is too much of a winner to be a loser. It's the one place she is untouchable. And while the idea of young teens turning to their passion to escape from reality has been explored to death, Kasienka's story still feels fresh. I think it is all the other things that make this story stand out from the crowd - Kasienka's relationship with her mother, the difficult choices she has to make at such a young age, and the exploration of the alienation that many immigrants face. For such a short book, I was blown away by how powerful and moving it was.

year-old Callum is a Nought, and his best friend, Sephy, as well as being a Cross, is also the daughter of one of the most powerful and ruthless politicians in the country. In their hostile world noughts and crosses do not mix. When Callum and Sephy’s childhood friendship grows into a deeper love, they are determined to find a way to be together. The story focuses on their relationship, which is frowned upon by society, and explores the discrimination they meet as a result. Kasienka. William. The writing. Friendship. Saying goodbye. Reunions. Butterfly stroke. Kisses like Haribo. Love is a large W. Mama. Resilience. Culture. Blueberry ice cream. Girly sleepovers. Tummy tumbles. Suitability:While challenging to some readers Lord of the Flies will yield good rewards in the exploration of its themes. CBI Book of the Year Award winner is Sarah Crossan!". Children's Books Ireland. 20 May 2016 . Retrieved 8 July 2016. The first person narrative of the novel switches between Link as he adjusts to life on the streets and ‘Shelter’, an ex-army officer scorned after being dismissed from his job and now determined to rid society of ‘street people’.Brave Face: A Memoir: How I Survived Growing Up, Coming out, and Depression” by Shaun David Hutchinson

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in the late 1970s, Shadows on Our Skin is the story of an unlikely friendship between a Catholic schoolboy and a young female Protestant teacher set in Derry, Northern Ireland during the Troubles..Suitability:Noughts and Crosses is a novel that will appeal to most young readers and is suitable for intermediate to advanced readers. Possible cross-curricular areas include C.S.P.E and R.E. Now, I’m not sure if that’s because he tastes like Haribo or because he gives you the feeling you get when you eat an entire bag of the Sour ones and then chug a bottle of Coke. Until you realised how it’s OK to be different and how there’ll always be moments where you feel a bit odd or alone but that there is always people who are just as different as you. Life is lonely for Kasienka. She misses her old home in Poland, her mother's heart is breaking, and at her new English school friends are scarce. But when someone new swims into her life, Kasienka learns that there is more than one way to stay afloat.

Student Voice:“I would recommend this novel to students who enjoy the topic of war and history.” Lauren, aged 13 You’re a Nought and I’m a Cross and there’s nowhere for us to be, nowhere for us to go where we’d be left in peace…” If we had gone to school together I bet we’d be the best of friends and we’d stay up all night, swapping stories and drinking pop and being giddy. Bloomsbury.com. "Bloomsbury - Sarah Crossan - Sarah Crossan". www.bloomsbury.com . Retrieved 8 March 2017. Student Voice:“I would recommend this novel to students who prefer real life stories with mystery in them.” Tony, aged, 13.Student Voice:“I would recommend this novel to students who like novels about fantasy worlds and fairy tales.” Olive, aged 13.