Award-winning writer Patrice Lawrence’s picture book Our Story Starts in Africa is a sensitively told story of Black history from its very ancient origins to its dynamic future, vibrantly illustrated by Jeanetta Gonzales. * “An informative, visually rich picture book that personalizes African history and entices readers to learn more.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 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, too, starts in Africa. 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 enslavement, to the emergence of a thriving, contemporary community of many faces, places, and successes. All too often, children’s books dealing with “Africa” are reductive, with little mention or explanation of modern Africa and too much focus on traditional costume, dancing, and animals. Our Story Starts in Africa offers a new approach to caregivers wanting to talk about Black history and Blackness from its very origins, sensitively told and vibrantly illustrated.

Award-winning author Patrice Lawrence explores the harsh reality of the criminal justice system for young people in this riveting teen drama.

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS, SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD AND THE YA BOOK PRIZE "A truly brilliant book." Malorie Blackman "Incredible book. Thank you Patrice Lawrence for such a fresh and riveting piece of fiction." Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown) "What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it." Tanya Landman, author of Buffalo Soldier Not 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?

Nine-year-old Michael is coming from London to Trinidad to visit his grandmother, who is recovering from a difficult operation, and his ten-year-old cousin, Shayla. A fierce rivalry develops between the two children and everything becomes a competition - who can eat the hottest food, climb the tallest tree, tell the spookiest story. Michael wins each time and Shayla confesses to her mum that she feels Michael's life is much more exciting than hers in Arouca. She thought she was special, but everything she can do, Michael can do so much better. Luckily Shayla's mum has a plan that will make Shayla realise her own good qualities, and for cheering up her poor old granny in the process... Granny Ting Ting is a contemporary story set in Trinidad.

Upper Dab is under attack from a mysterious invasion of toads in this hilarious middle-grade adventure from award-wining author Patrice Lawrence.

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? Becks is into girls but didn't come out because she was never in. She lives with her mum, stepdad and eighteen-year-old Silva, her stepdad's daughter. Becks and Silva are opposites, but bond over their mutual obsession with K-pop. When Becks' mum and stepdad go on honeymoon to Japan, Becks and Silva are left alone. Except, Silva disappears. Becks ventures into the forbidden territory of Silva's room and finds the first of eight clues that help her discover her sister's secret life. Meanwhile, Silva is on a journey. A journey to make someone love her. He says he doesn't, but he's just joking. All she has to do is persuade him otherwise ...

A collection of wintery crime and mystery stories by thirteen of the most exciting and diverse authors in children’s books today! Co-edited by Serena Patel, the award-winning author of the Anisha: Accidental Detective series and by Robin Stevens, author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series.

A beautiful, moving celebration of what it truly means to be family, from the brilliant new picture book duo Patrice Lawrence and Diane Ewen. 'A lively, heartfelt picture book celebrating mixed heritage' Guardian 'Best New Picture Books' 'A must have for all book shelves and libraries'Dapo Adeola Every family is different. Every family is special. Josie loves her family. Her mum, dad, brothers and sister - they're all the best and they all look different. But people always seem to ask Josie "Is that YOUR mama?", and soon she starts to wonder if her family are actually supposed to look the same. When Josie shares her worries with her family, they find a way to help her see what truly matters. Heartfelt and empowering words by Patrice Lawrence, multi-award-winning author of Orangeboy Bright, gorgeous artwork from Diane Ewen, winner of the Jericho Prize and The Queen's Knickers Awards, 2021 More praise for Is That YOUR Mama: "This is a heartfelt celebration of the variety within families. Every family is different. Every family is special. This book will encourage conversations about difference and about empathy. And manners! Gorgeously illustrated and beautifully told." BookTrust

A gripping heart-in-your-mouth adventure told by Eve, a Tudor girl who sets out on a dangerous journey to change her life for the better. Voices: Diver's Daughter - A Tudor Storybrings Eve and her mother, who was stolen from her family in Mozambique as a child, from the Southwark slums of Elizabethan London to England's southern coast. When they hear from a Mary Rose survivor that one of the African free-divers who was sent to salvage its treasures is alive and well and living in Southampton, mother and daughter agree to try to find him and attempt to dive the wreck of another ship, rumoured to be rich with treasures. But will the pair survive when the man arrives to claim his 'share'? Will Eve overcome her fear of thewater to help rescue her mother? 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. VOICES: A thrilling series showcasing some of the UK's finest writers for young people. Voicesreflects the authentic, unsung stories of our past. Each shows that, even in times of great upheaval, a myriad of people have arrived on this island and made a home for themselves - from Roman times to the present day.

'Enthralling, resonant, unusual and thought-provoking' The Guardian 'Lawrence is a fine writer' TheTimes 'A vibrant, accomplished storyteller' The Observer 'A truly brilliant book' Malorie Blackman on Orangeboy Being a teenager is hard enough, but it's even harder in a world you've never known ... Eighteen months ago, 17-year-old Rose and 13-year-old Rudder escaped a strict religious sect with their mum. They are still trying to make sense of the world outside - no more rules about clothes and books, films and music, no more technology bans. But also no more friendship with the people they've known all their lives, no community and no certainty. It doesn't help that their mum has to work all hours to pay rent on their cramped, smelly, one-bed flat above a kebab shop in Hackney. While Rudder gorges on once-taboo Harry Potters and dances to Simon and Garfunkel and show tunes, Rose swaps the ankle skirts and uncut hair of the Woodford Pilgrims for Japanese-cute fairy dress and her new boyfriend, Kye. Kye, who she wants with all her being. But there's loads of scary stuff about their new life that Rose and Rudder have no idea how to handle - it's normal for girls to let their boyfriends take naked pictures of them, right? When Rudder accidently sets a devastating chain of events into action, Rose must decide whether to sacrifice everything and go back to the life she hates, in order to save the people she loves. A story about coming of age, slap-bang in the middle of a strange new world.