Recommended by: Stephen Dilley/@stephenjdilley Form and Genre: Prose /Historical Fiction. Length: 324 pages. Summary: This novel follows members of the Bontok people in Philippines as they travel to America to take part in the 1904 World’s Fair in St Louis. Narrator Luki thinks this will give her more freedom, but in America she discovers many forms …
Recommended by: Stephen Dilley/@stephenjdilley Form and Genre: Poetry Collection. Length: 100 pages Summary: Asghar is a South Asian American Muslim poet who explores issues relating to sexuality, race and violence in this collection. The 1947 Partition is used as a recurring idea throughout the collection to explore other forms of division and marginalisation. Age recommendation and challenging …
Recommended by: Stephen Dilley/@stephenjdilley Form and Genre: Novel Length: 350 pages Summary: Hard-hitting but beautifully written novel about a Black British teenage boy’s experiences in prison and after his release, exploring some of the injustices in the criminal justice system and wider British society which disproportionately affect people of colour, but also showing how poetry can help people …
Recommended by Emma Sheppard @emma_au_soleil Author: Marjane Satrapi Form: Graphic Novel Length: 352 pages Brief synopsis: The author / narrator’s experience of growing up in Iran during the revolution. Age recommendation and challenging content: Deals with military coups, imprisonment, oppression of women, religious rule, murder and death, torture and war. Age 13+ Notable reasons for recommending …
Recommended by Emma Sheppard @emma_au_soleil Author: Nadia Shireen Form: Picture Book Length: 32 pages Brief synopsis: Billy’s pet Fatcat is stolen by a dragon and Billy goes on an adventure to get him back. Age recommendation and challenging content: EYFS-KS1 Notable reasons for recommending this book: Empowering for girlsGreat sense of humourBlack protagonist Other Comments: Part of a …
Recommended by Emma Sheppard @emma_au_soleil Author: Nathan Bryon Form: Picture Book Length: 32 pages Brief synopsis: Rocket dreams of being an astronaut and invites her community to come and watch a meteor shower with her. Age recommendation and challenging content: EYFS-KS1 Notable reasons for recommending this book: Introductions to space and famous astronauts – good for scienceExplores sibling …
Recommended by: Stephen Dilley/@stephenjdilley Form and Genre: Novel. Length: 256 pages. Summary: A heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny story set in Peckham about Shaun (aka MC Growls), a young wannabe rapper which explores serious issues including racial prejudice, housing insecurity and being a young carer. With the help of his friends, his family, his teacher and his counsellor, …
Recommended by: Stephen Dilley/@stephenjdilley Form and Genre: Verse novel. Length: 400 pages. Summary: This verse novel, the first in a trilogy, explores Asante history and the horrors of the slave trade. The first half of the story explores eleven-year-old Kofi Offin’s childhood in Upper Kwanta before he is captured and sold into slavery, which is …
*This website is supported by our users. We sometimes earn a small commission when you click through affiliate links. Please read more in our disclaimer Recommended by: Racheal Gartside Author: Andrea Levy Form: Historical fiction – novel Length: 350 pages Brief synopsis: The story of post-war Caribbean migration told through four narrators. The novel handles …
*This website is supported by our users. We sometimes earn a small commission when you click through affiliate links. Please read more in our disclaimer Recommended by: Sabiha Patel Author: Danielle Jawando Form: YA Novel Length: 368 pages Brief synopsis: After fourteen-year-old Shaq is stabbed, three teenagers from different walks of life are thrown together …