A stunning debut that makes full and highly skilled use of the narrative verse format, with imaginative use of font and layout, to tell an important story that the author acknowledges is based upon the real experiences of a friend’s son.
It highlights how easy it is for young people and children to be entrapped by ruthless drug gangs. But this portrayal of Erik goes far beyond a single issue, it is a thoroughly nuanced, credible portrait of a young man and the complexities of his life. It had been difficult due to bullying and rapidly worsens with the death of his father and then his mother’s terrible choice of new partner, who abandons her and their new twin daughters, leaving Erik as her only support.
Poverty and sleeplessness take their inevitable toll and behaviour and grades fall. Erik slowly finds himself abandoning his loyal friend Ravi and hanging out more and more with his former tormentors Travis and Ben and their dubious friends. Skipping school turns into shoplifting which turns into drug running.
At first, it’s easy money and almost a new kind of family. But the casual drop-offs soon escalate, as do the lies and deception. When Erik tries to escape the dark world he’s fallen into, his baby sisters come under threat. But a powerfully realistic ending offers a credible way out of the dangerous situation Erik and his family are facing and directs readers to sources of help for those facing similar issues.
Erik remains a likeable, self-aware, almost brutally honest protagonist throughout. He should not be defined by his bad choices but neither does he excuse his behaviour. In his portrayal the author shows that those involved in county lines activity should rightly be treated and perceived as victims rather than perpetrators - a stance campaigned for by the Children’s Society (who checked the manuscript for authenticity) This is an outstanding and important novel that should be widely read by parents and teachers as well as by the young people who will find it gripping, relatable, authentic and unputdownable.
Watch The LoveReading LitFest In Conversation With Tia Fisher, Author of Crossing The Line
A powerful novel exploring how teenagers can be swept up into county lines.
Erik's mum is juggling the challenge of two small babies, plus the recent death of her husband due to COVID-19. Both these factors affect teenage Erik too, struggling with homework as the babies continually cry or his mum needs help. When the difficulties at home affect Erik's behaviour at school and he gets in with the wrong crowd, Erik is tempted to earn some easy money. . .
But this kind of money is never truly easy to earn and comes with a terrible cost.
Written in verse, the thoroughly-researched narrative exploring how teenage boys can be drawn into county lines pulls the reader in from the very first page, as Erik makes some good - and some very bad - decisions...
Just wow. Incredible voice, impeccably crafted - so funny, moving and terrifyingly real. A verse novel for our times. I read it, then read it again. So will you. - Finbar Hawkins, author of Stone
Crossing the Line is a fast-paced, highly readable novel in verse. This an exciting and growing sub-genre of YA fiction that tends to particularly appeal to reluctant or disengaged readers. The innovative use of different fonts and layouts in this case is particularly appealing and draws the reader into the narrative. The post-covid setting is very relatable and the murky world of drug dealing makes for addictive reading. - School Reading List
Let's hope the young people who read this brilliant book pass it on to their parents. They'll learn a lot. - Brian Patten, poet and author of Monster Slayer
While this novel is a work of fiction, it offers real insight into how children are groomed and coerced by adult criminals. - Claire Alldis, National Disrupting Exploitation Programme Manager for The Children's Society
A gripping read that packs a real punch. Compelling, gutsy and important, Crossing the Line is a stunning debut. - Lucy Cuthew, author of Blood Moon
Moving and compelling. - Louisa Reid, author of Wrecked
This is an outstanding and important novel that should be widely read by parents and teachers as well as by the young people who will find it gripping, relatable, authentic and unputdownable. - LoveReading4Kids
