Books by Patrice Lawrence

When Paloma goes to visit her family in Trinidad, she doesn’t feel that she fits in. But Tante Janet has a story to tell her: An ancient story of warrior queens and talking drums, of treasures and tales that span thousands of years… a story that Paloma shares in, because her story starts in Africa, too..Join Tante and her inquisitive niece as they share the story of how her family came to the Caribbean, through the dark days of colonization and slavery, to the emergence of a thriving, contemporary community of many faces, places and successes.

From the multi-award-winning author of Orangeboy, an addictive mystery that refuses to let you go long after you turn the final page. Can Becks piece the jigsaw together and find her sister before Silva loses herself?

A powerful and heart-rending exploration of a teenager's journey through grief, rage and getting caught in the criminal justice system from award-winning author Patrice Lawrence.Charlene is a demon knitter. It's the only thing she enjoys and the only thing she believes she's really good at.So when her foster mum's son destroys her latest creation, Charlene loses it and stabs him in the hand with her knitting needle. It damages a nerve and she gets sucked into the criminal justice system for assault.Charlene's not sorry and she's never apologised to anyone in her life. But people keep telling her that if she says sorry, they'll go easier on her. Can she bring herself to say it and not mean it when her freedom's at stake?

A stunningly imagined, page-turning, inclusive upper middle grade fantasy adventure, for fans of Nevermoor, Neverwhere and Mortal Engines, from bestselling and critically acclaimed author Patrice Lawrence.

When his mum is sent back to prison, Al knows exactly who's to blame. Mr Brayker from downstairs has been making trouble for Al's mum ever since they moved in. Al is determined to get his revenge with a plan that involves the only two creatures he can rely on: his pet rats, Venom and Vulture. But things don't turn out exactly as he'd imagined ...

When Michael goes to visit his relatives in Trinidad, he isn't impressed by what he sees. Everything is bigger and more exciting in London, which makes him better than his cousin Shayla. The contest is on! From who dares try the hottest chilli sauce to who can climb higher up a tree, they battle it out. But who will be the real winner in the end?

From the multi-award-winning author of Orangeboy, comes a YA road-trip mystery.I pick up the envelope . . . As I rip down the sides, there's loads of paper bursting out; stuck on flowers, dandelions, roses . . .Spey recently received two surprises. The first: his ex-prisoner dad turning up unannounced, and the second: a mysterious package containing torn-up paper flowers. Spey instantly recognises it as a collage he made with his old friend Dee, and decides she must be in danger, but there are no clues to her whereabouts. There's only one person he knows who can help to track her down . . . On a road trip like no other, will Spey and his dad find Dee, before it's too late?

Being a teenager is hard enough, but it's even harder in a world you've never known ... The hotly anticipated new novel from the award-winning author of Orangeboy.

A gripping adventure told from the perspective of a young girl from Mozambique. Award-winning author, Patrice Lawrence, continues this exciting new series that explores authentic and moving accounts of the life of British immigrants throughout history.Voices: Diver's Daughter - A Tudor Story explores the life of a young West African girl, Eve, living with her mother in the Southwark slums of Elizabethan London. When they hear from a Mary Rose survivor, George Symon, that one of the African free-divers who salvaged its treasures is alive and well and living in Southampton, mother and daughter agree to try to find him. But will the pair survive when George arrives to claim his 'share' of the riches? Will Eve overcome her fear of water to rescue her mother from the sea? In this thrilling adventure based on real events, Patrice Lawrence shows us a fascinating and rarely seen world that's sure to hook young readers.

After a toad lands on his head as he leaves his house one morning, Leo is determined to find out where it has come from and why. Together with his friend Rosa, he needs to come up with some answers before the angry residents of Upper Dab take matters into their own hands and the toads become toast! A brilliantly quirky comedy caper with a diverse and inclusive cast of characters. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS, SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD AND THE YA BOOK PRIZE"e;A truly brilliant book."e; Malorie Blackman"e;Incredible book. Thank you Patrice Lawrence for such a fresh and riveting piece of fiction."e; Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown)"e;What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it."e; Tanya Landman, author of Buffalo SoldierNot cool enough, not clever enough, not street enough for anyone to notice me. I was the kid people looked straight through.NOT ANY MORE. NOT SINCE MR ORANGE.Sixteen-year-old Marlon has made his mum a promise - he'll never follow his big brother, Andre, down the wrong path. So far, it's been easy, but when a date ends in tragedy, Marlon finds himself hunted. They're after the mysterious Mr Orange, and they're going to use Marlon to get to him. Marlon's out of choices - can he become the person he never wanted to be, to protect everyone he loves?

A love story interwoven with an edge-of-the-seat mystery. Two very different young people discover who loves them, and who they can love back.