Noughts & Crosses

LoveReading Says

Michael Rosen on a compelling favourite: "A book that dared to go where no one thought you could with young audiences because it raises tough stuff to do with race." 

I think this counts as dystopia. In the 2001 YA classic, Blackman’s gently eviscerating series explores a world where Black people, Crosses, rule over white noughts. If there has been a cleverer way to exhibit just how systemically racism British society is, I don’t know of it. On the surface of things, this is a Romeo and Juliet story of a privileged Cross, Sephy, falling in love with the nought son of her cleaner, Callum, but through their eyes, Blackman holds up a mirror to the ugliness of race and culture. If the ending doesn’t punch your heart out, you are clinically dead.

Guest Editor Juno Dawson

It takes a brave author such as Malorie Blackman to consider a sequence of the like of Noughts and Crosses and to pull it off with utmost aplomb. Award-winning author Blackman has tackled the issues of racism and prejudice in a world set in an alternate historical reality. Although 11 year olds will take great joy and learn much from reading this first one in the sequence, adults will devour it with equal enthusiasm. The contrast of the two main protagonists makes the novel totally compelling and the writing style is both original and superbly paced. The plot unravels at the pace of a thriller and as a consequence it’s a book that is almost impossible to put down.

Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers.  To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.

Head to our 'Black Lit Matters' list to find more must-read novels by black writers.

The Noughts and Crosses Series:

1. Noughts and Crosses

2. Knife Edge

3. Checkmate

4. Double Cross

5. Crossfire

6. Endgame

Serial Reader? Check out our 'Fall in Love With a Book Series' collection to find amazing book series to dive in to.

Julia Eccleshare M.B.E.

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