New from the winner of the Guardian Children's Book Award: Home Girl is the story of Naomi, a teenage girl growing up fast in the care system. It is a wholly modern story which sheds a much needed light on what can be an unsettling life - and the consequences that can follow when children are treated like pawns on a family chessboard.
Home Girl is fast-paced and funny, tender, tragic and full of courage - just like Naomi. It is award-winning author Alex Wheatle's most moving and personal novel to date.
Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath. It's a pity there's only one of him (Kit de Waal)
Wheatle's empathy, authentic characters and rich dialogue illuminate (Observer)
I love Alex and all he stands for in the world of literature (Kerry Hudson)
Studded with Wheatle's characteristic slang, Naomi's story is both heartbreaking and hilarious, offering no easy happy endings, but a flickering sense of hope. (the Guardian)
Alex Wheatle is the real deal; he writes with heart and authenticity, books that make you laugh and worry and cry and hold your breath. It's a pity there's only one of him. (Kit de Waal, author of My Name is Leon)
I love Alex and all he stands for in the world of literature. (Kerry Hudson, author of Lowborn)
Straight Outta Crongton has "classic" singing from every page ... A joyous shout of youthful exuberance ... Wheatle's Twain-like command of patois never falters ... Enriching and life-affirming ... A total gem (Independent)
Elegant, authentic and humane. Straight Outta Crongton hums with the beat of real life and the language sings from the page. This is mature, powerful writing by an author with great talent and great heart. (David Almond)
Brilliant, tough, heartbreaking read (Tanya Landman)