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Malorie Blackman on Noughts and Crosses: ‘I knew it would make people uncomfortable’

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Betsey Biggalow is Here!

Although Betsey may be small, she’s not going to let that hold her back. She’s determined to make the most of everything life throws at her, even if it doesn’t always quite go to plan. These collections of short stories follow Betsey as she navigates her way through some of the typical challenges that face a little girl; losing her teddy bear, dealing with annoying siblings, putting on a disappointing magic show and preparing for a hurricane….and those are just for starters!

4 stories in 1 book by the bestselling and much-loved Malorie Blackman, about the adventures of Betsey Biggalow and her Barbadian life full of family, friends and fun. Perfect to read together or as first independent chapter books.

From the award-winning author of Noughts & Crosses, comes an adventure for 5-7 year olds. 
 
"Perfect for young readers who are beginning to gain confidence in reading independently" - Book Trust 
 
Discover FOUR stories in one book. Have no fear, Betsey Biggalow is here! In this collection of stories, Betsey has lots of big ideas for her big adventures! Join her as: <ul><li>She gets new trainers – but not ones as nice as her best friend May</li><li>Doesn’t quite have the perfect Saturday she wanted</li><li>Gets in over her head in a game of marbles</li><li>AND has to help where she didn’t expect to!</li></ul> 
This collection of mini adventures by the beloved Malorie Blackman is perfect to share, or for newly independent readers to read alone.

Somewhere between Pippi Longstocking and Tracy Beaker, Betsey Biggalow, who stars in these short, pacey stories, is an imaginative and enquiring girl who is sometimes mischievous but always endearing

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults, including the Noughts & Crosses series, Thief and a science-fiction thriller, Chasing the Stars. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts & Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts & Crosses, with Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s entertainment company) curating the soundtrack as executive music producer. In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children’s Laureate. Most recently Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses series, Crossfire, was published by Penguin Random House Children’s in summer 2019.

Betsey Biggalow may be small but she's full of ideas - even about helping the world! Join Betsey on four adventures as she learns you don't have to be big to make a big difference. 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Abridged Edition

Quick Reads Penguin Readers: Boys Don’t Cry

A gripping Quick Read about family and growing up from bestselling author, Malorie Blackman. 
 
 
Seventeen-year-old Dante is waiting for his A-level results. He’s got it all planned out. If his results are good, he’ll go to uni and study to be a journalist.But while he’s waiting, the doorbell rings and it’s his ex-girlfriend. She’s carrying a baby – his baby.Dante agrees to look after the baby for an hour or two. Then his ex doesn’t come back, and Dante’s plans have to change. With the help of his father and brother, Dante must learn how to be a single parent.A gripping and original story about love, relationships and growing up the hard way.

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults, including the Noughts & Crosses series, Thief and a science-fiction thriller, Chasing the Stars. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts & Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts & Crosses, with Roc Nation (Jay-Z's entertainment company) curating the soundtrack as executive music producer. In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children's books. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children's literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children's Laureate. Most recently Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses series, Crossfire, was published by Penguin Random House Children's in summer 2019.

Seventeen-year-old Dante is waiting for his A-level results. He’s got it all planned out. If his results are good, he’ll go to uni and study to be a journalist.But while he’s waiting, the doorbell rings and it’s his ex-girlfriend. She’s carrying a baby – his baby.Dante agrees to look after the baby for an hour or two. Then his ex doesn’t come back, and Dante’s plans have to change. With the help of his father and brother, Dante must learn how to be a single parent.A gripping and original story about love, relationships and growing up the hard way.

My Life In Words

Just Sayin'

The long-awaited autobiography of one of the world's greatest children's writers, and an empowering and inspiring account of a life in books.

This is a book of life. An inspiring life.

A powerful inspirational memoir that shows just what you can achieve with resilience, determination, ferocious hard work and talent.

This book is a frank, earnest, surprising, witty, vulnerable yet open insight into the journey, mind (or heart) and life of a literary icon.

Since childhood it has been an honour to read every story that Malorie Blackman has written.

It's a total privilege to get a glimpse in to Malorie's inner world. Her humour, boldness, sensitivity and humanity are as much on show here as any of her classics. She's a superhero of literature, goodness knows how many readers she's saved like me.

'It's very candid, and movingly so.... Not only in Blackman a grafter- even more, and in the face of more, than we already knew. She's someone with whom you do not mess. Good on her. She's earned it'

Just Sayin' is a phenomenal read, truly powerful.

Packed full of life, love, struggle and hope - you won't regret reading it.

This is a book about survival and success.

Beautifully written, honest and thought-provoking.

She's the light children's writers of colour and diversity all follow.

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults, including the Noughts &amp; Crosses series, Thief and a science-fiction thriller, Chasing the Stars. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts &amp; Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts &amp; Crosses, with Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s entertainment company) curating the soundtrack as executive music producer. In 2005 Malorie was honoured with the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books. In 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children’s Laureate. Most recently Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts &amp; Crosses series, Crossfire, was published by Penguin Random House Children’s in summer 2019.

The long-awaited autobiography of one of the world's greatest children's writers, and an empowering and inspiring account of a life in books. 
 
Malorie Blackman OBE is one of Britain's best loved and most widely-read writers. For over thirty years, her books have helped to shape British culture, and inspired generations of younger readers and writers. The Noughts and Crosses series, started in 2000, sparked a new and necessary conversation about race and identity in the UK, and are already undisputed classics of twenty-first-century children's literature. 
 
She is also a writer whose own life has been shaped by books, from her childhood in south London, the daughter of parents who moved to Britain from Barbados as part of the Windrush Generation, and who experienced a childhood that was both wonderful and marred by the everyday racism and bigotry of the era. She was told she could not apply to study her first love, literature, at university, in spite of her academic potential, but found a way to books and to a life in writing against a number of obstacles. 
 
This book is an account of that journey, from a childhood surrounded by words, to the 83 rejection letters she received in response to sending out her first project, to the children's laureateship. It explores the books who have made her who she is, and the background to some the most beloved and powerful children's stories of today. It is an illuminating, inspiring and empowering account of the power of words to change lives, and the extraordinary life story of one of the world's greatest writers.

Penguin Readers Level 5: Boys Don't Cry (ELT Graded Reader)

This ELT Graded Reader is made for people learning English as an additional language. The short, simple text is also perfect for anyone looking for an easier read. It is an adapted version of the original story. 
 
In this story, seventeen-year-old Dante is waiting for his exam results. If they are good, he'll go to university. But Dante's plans have to change when he hears that he is the father of a baby girl. With the help of his father and brother, Dante must learn how to be a single father. 
 
Our Penguin Readers books include: 
<ul><li>Simple text (CEFR-levelled)</li><li>Pictures to help you understand the story</li><li>Fun exercises to help you learn and practise English</li></ul> 
With the print book, you can get even more help online:<ul><li>Read the book online</li><li>Listen to the book being read out loud</li><li>Get lesson plans for teachers</li><li>Find answers to check your understanding 
 </li></ul>Note: online resources not available with the eBook.

In this story, seventeen-year-old Dante is waiting for his exam results. If they are good, he'll go to university. But Dante's plans have to change when he hears that he is the father of a baby girl. With the help of his father and brother, Dante must learn how to be a single father. 
 
Our Penguin Readers books include: 
• Simple text (CEFR-levelled) 
• Pictures to help you understand the story 
• Fun exercises to help you learn and practise English 
 
With the print book, you can get even more help online: 
 
• Read the book online 
• Listen to the book being read out loud 
• Get lesson plans for teachers 
• Find answers to check your understanding 
 
Note: online resources not available with the eBook.

Pig-Heart Boy

A powerful story about friendship, loyalty and family around this topical and controversial issue' - Guardian 
'An engrossing story' - Daily Telegraph 
 
'That's all I ever did - watch and listen. I was always a spectator, never a participant. I didn't call that living. I was alive - but that was all.' 
 
Cameron is thirteen, and all he wants is a 'normal' life - friends, swimming, school, family. 
 
But his life is far from normal. Not every thirteen-year-old desperately needs a new heart because theirs doesn't work properly. 
 
 
Finally, one doctor offers hope. 
Cameron could - if he and his parents agree - take part in a radical and controversial procedure involving the transplant of a pig's heart into his human body. 
 
It's risky. And it's never been done before . . . 
 
While Cameron comes to terms with the idea, he finds the world around him is much less accepting. 
 
But surely everyone will understand that it's better to have a pig's heart that works than a human heart that doesn't - won't they . . .? 
 
'A sensitive and informative story that provides a vivid insight into transgenics and xenotransplantations and still manages to squeeze in the inevitable guinea-pig and piggy in the middle jokes' - Independent

A powerful story about friendship, loyalty and family around this topical and controversial issue

A sensitive and informative story that provides a vivid insight  into transgenics and xenotransplantations and still manages to squeeze  in the inevitable guinea-pig and piggy in the middle jokes

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a major BBC production of Noughts &amp; Crosses. Malorie has been awarded the Eleanor Farjeon award, received an OBE, and served as Children's Laureate.

All Cameron wants is a 'normal' life - friends, swimming, school, family. 
 
 But most normal thirteen-year-olds don't desperately need a new heart because theirs doesn't work properly. 
 
 One doctor offers hope. Cameron could - if he and his parents agree - take part in a radical and controversial procedure involving the transplant of a pig's heart into his human body. It's risky. And it's never been done before . . . 
 
 While Cameron comes to terms with the idea, he finds the world around him is much, much less accepting. But surely everyone will understand that it's better to have a pig's heart that works than a human heart that doesn't - won't they . . .?

Chasing the Stars

'Full of nail-biting adventure, interstellar conflict and then passion . . . keeps us guessing to the last' - Sunday Times 
 
 
A combination of Star Trek, Ten Things I Hate About You, and a murder mystery. What's not to like?' - Guardian 
 
 
'I walked over to him and took his hand . . . We were at the heart of our very own universe' 
Olivia and her twin brother, Aidan, are heading alone on their ship back to Earth following the virus that completely wiped out their crew, and their family in its entirety. 
 
 
Nathan's ship is heading in the opposite direction, but on the journey it is attacked. Only a few survive. 
When their lives suddenly collide, Nathan and Olivia are instantly attracted to each other, deeply, completely head over heels. 
 
 
But not everyone is pleased. Surrounded by rumours, deception, even murder, is it possible to live out a happy-ever-after...? 
 
 
'The former Children's Laureate is never afraid to tackle challenging issues . . . a thrilling love story' - Mail on Sunday

Malorie Blackman has written over seventy books for children and young adults. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a major BBC production of Noughts &amp; Crosses. Malorie has been awarded the Eleanjor Farjeon award, received an OBE, and served as Children's Laureate.

'I walked over to him and took his hand . . . We were at the heart of our very own universe' 
 
Olivia and her twin brother, Aidan, are heading alone back to Earth following the virus that completely wiped out the rest of their crew, and their family, in its entirety. 
 
Nathan's ship is heading in the opposite direction. But on the journey it is attacked. Only a few survive. 
 
Their lives unexpectedly collide. Nathan and Olivia are instantly attracted to each other, deeply, head over heels. 
 
But not everyone is pleased. Surrounded by rumours, deception, even murder, is it possible to live out a happy-ever-after...?

Malorie Blackman

Diane Ewen

Betsey Biggalow may be small, but right now she has a big mystery to solve. to crack this case, she's going to need help from Prince, the detective dog! 
 
Four of Betsey's adventures in one book, now with fabulous new illustrations by Diane Ewen.

Malorie Blackman

Books by Malorie Blackman

Malorie Blackman reacts to fan messages

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