Wild East

By Author / Illustrator

Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Genre

Social Issues

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Penguin Random House Children's

ISBN

9780241645444

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

23-05-2024

Synopsis

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

Pen in one hand, on my wrist, a ticking clock
I've got to make this work, just need a little luck...

When 14-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: 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. 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.

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Reviews

Clare

When a bus journey ends in tragedy for Ronny's friend Maz, Ronny's Mum decides enough is enough. Fearful that her son will be the next person to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, she uproots them from East London to East Anglia and they begin a tentative new life in Norwich.

Discombobulated by a new school, new city and new people, Ronny takes time to find his feet but new friend Leigh proves a welcoming presence. When Ronny's talent for English is discovered by kindly teacher Mr Bruce, Ronny is offered a place on a residential writing course. Taking Leigh along for company (and some moral support), Ronny embraces his growing abilities as a wordsmith and makes some new friends along the way. Inspired by a poet's visit to school, Ronny starts to see the links between rap and poetry and how putting pen to paper might, somehow in the future provide a future for him and his Mum.

Wild East is such a positive, uplifting book and Ronny’s such a likeable character - you are always rooting for him. The rhythmic style of writing perfectly fits in the poetry/rap elements of the book and there are lots of pop culture references to music and books.

Whilst plenty of difficult themes are covered and Ronny is constantly being tempted away from what he knows is the right path, the book always feels hopeful. Everything about the look of the book and the content is stylish and engaging, from the illustrations to the monthly break pages and a novel that ends with a reading list always gets my vote!

An empowering verse novel that should suit all types of readers…..and certainly any budding wordsmiths out there.

269 pages / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian