Wild East

Ashley Hickson-Lovence author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK

Published:23rd May '24

Should be back in stock very soon

Wild East cover

Nominated for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing and longlisted for the 2025 Branford Boase Award.

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