FOR FANS OF KWAME ALEXANDER’S THE CROSSOVER

FEMALE WRESTLER PROTAGONIST: In the arena of a male dominated sport, Molly’s character offers female representation to the traditionally male narrative. Teenage girls will enjoy this exciting read centering the experience of a teenage girl.

ADDRESSES HARD-HITTING THEMES IN COMMUNITIES FACING SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY: A compelling novel that offers no easy answers, but refuses to shy away from asking the difficult questions, like what are the influences that tempt young people growing up in East London to turn to a life of street crime and other misfortunes’ that lower income communities are subjected to? 

DYNAMIC STORYTELLING: Interspersed with amazing verse segments, the rhythm and pace of this novel pulls readers aged 11+ into Molly’s world. 

POWER OF FRIENDSHIP & COMMUNITY: Molly joins forces with her friend Kwaku, who supports her through her efforts to find out what happened to her brother  

DEBUT YA CREATOR KEL DUCKHOUSE: An exicting novel from an emerging author 

Kel Duckhouse was born in Leytonstone, London. She currently lives with her three children in Wiltshire, where she works as an Author, Poet and Spoken Word Artist. Kel graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University, where she studied a Masters in Writing for Young People. Kel started her career as a poet and performer and loves works with musicians to put her poetry to music. The Bones of Me is her debut novel. When she’s not writing, she’s campaigning for social causes or dying her hair pink. Her dream is to buy a camper van and travel the UK and Europe writing.

Author Residence: Bath, England

Author Hometown: England

Included in the CBC’s October 2022 Hot Off the Press reading list

“The combination of verse and prose keeps the pace moving, and colloquialisms add to the sense of place. A textured coming-of-age story deeply rooted in a working-class community.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“An emotional thread that packs a wallop fit for the boxing ring. With an unshakable sense of place and a quick one-two punch ending, this is a novel that appeals most to a specific reader but that will open up a new world for others who give it a try.”
—Booklist

“Dynamic verse and sincere prose…Prominent messages about classism and forgiveness add layers to this insightful rendering of the amateur boxing world.”
—Publishers Weekly

“An uncompromising and unflinching novel that certainly packs a punch.” 
—Brian Conaghan, author of The Boy Who Made it Rain


“Gutsy, gripping and dangerous yet full of heart, truth and soul. Duckhouse’s exceptional debut floats like a butterfly, stings like a poet.”
—Keith Gray, author of Ostrich Boys and The Climbers


“Brave and bold, a proper right hook to the senses.”
—Phil Earle