Wild East
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK
Published:23rd May '24
Should be back in stock very soon
Nominated for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing.
Heartfelt and up-to-the-minute...A reminder that even short lines can take you a long way – The Sunday Times.
The soaring debut YA verse-novel by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Manjeet Mann, and Dean Atta.
Pen in one hand, on my wrist, a ticking clock
I've got to make this work, just need a little luck...
When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it’s finally time they move out of London.
In his new city, as a Black teenager in a mostly white school, Ronny feels like a complete outsider and struggles to balance keeping his head down with his ambition of becoming a rapper.
But when a local poet comes into class, Ronny discovers a world he’s never considered before. Rap is like spoken word, bars equal poetry – and maybe the combination of both could be the key to achieving his dreams?
This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction – Waterstones.com
Praise for Wild East:
A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth - Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer
An amazing tale of self-reflection, acceptance, and achieving your greatest aspirations - screenrant.com
Welcomes all types of readers...Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece - DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't Cry
Readers say:
"Although a YA novel, this is a book I think everyone should read."
"Wild East is an outstanding piece of work."
A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth...Ashley has that rare ability to draw you in quietly and leave you feeling totally invested. I’m certain that if I had this when I was younger it would have changed my life, genuinely * Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer *
I loved the way you name checked other writers and the power of their words...Most of all, I loved Ronny. I loved Ronny's kindness, vulnerability, empathy, tenacity and open-heartedness * Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy *
For reluctant readers in need of a gentle route towards poetry...heartfelt and up-to-the-minute...A reminder that even short lines can take you a long way * The Sunday Times *
A book meant to be heard...It's the fresh, "spoken word" style that makes Ronny's story special * The Times *
This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction * Waterstones.com *
Loved this book. Raw, moving, and so accessible. A powerful spoken-word style verse novel * Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How To Be Extraordinary *
A cocktail of prose, poetry and creative writing that welcomes all types of readers...Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece * DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't Cry *
Compelling coming-of-age story inspired by the author’s own experiences * The Bookseller *
An astonishing and emotional story...an amazing tale of self-reflection, acceptance, and achieving your greatest aspirations * screenrant.com *
A positive, uplifting tale that will inspire future word-smiths and those who dare to dream of better things to come * schoolreadinglist.co.uk *
ISBN: 9780241645444
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 18mm
Weight: 234g
288 pages