Book recommendations for young teenagers (by Jane)

  Noughts & Crosses, the first of a series of five books by Malorie Blackman, a british writer who predominantly writes fictional stories for children and young adults, using science fiction to explore social and ethical issues. This critically acclaimed and multi-award winning novel is about two teenagers.  

Callum is a nought- an inferior white citizen in a society controlled by the black Crosses.

Sephy is a cross- and the daughter of one of the most powerful, ruthless men in the country.

In their hostile, violent world, Nought & Crosses simply don't mix. But when Sephy and Callum's friendship grows into love, they are determined to find a way to be together. 

And then the bomb explodes...

The other titles in this five part book sequence are; Knife Edge, Checkmate, Double Cross and Crossfire. 

What better way to spend the summer than getting lost in this sequence of books while enjoying the glorious Spanish sunshine.

 

It is the late 1880s and the Great Famine has ravaged Ireland. The potatoes are black and rotten, and the people have nothing to eat. 

Three young children, Eily, Michael and Peggy are alone in their cottage. Their parents went out in search of work and food, but never returned. Now the children must fend for themselves. Desperate to avoid being sent to the workhouse, they set out on a journey to find their great-aunts. On their journey they encounter the devastation caused by famine people scrabbling for food, abandoned children, soup kitchens, beggars, disease, wild dogs, death. Led by twleve year-old Eily, the children use all their strength and ingenuity to survive and find their way to Castletaggart.

This book tells us of the history of KIreland in the late 1800's, explaining why so many Irish fled the country. Many of the emmigrating to the United States. We witness the survival and determination of children and how they can adapt to their environments. This book is beautiful and moving.