Written by Malorie Blackman
ISBN: 978-1-5344-9742-9
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Noughts & Crosses is one of those books that takes a while to wrap around your head because there’s so much to unpack! This is a story of love in a very different dystopian world trying to keep these two lovers apart.
Sephy and Callum have known each other since they were young kids and became best friends. Sephy and Callum are no longer able to see each other, as Callum is white and a Nought, and Sephy is black and a Cross; Noughts are second-rate citizens and Crosses are the ruling class.
This is not just your ordinary teenage love story. This story explores classism, racism, interracial relationships and other social justice issues deeply embedded in our societies.
The book is complex, with well thought out characters dealing with their nuisances and tragedies as they navigate the many complexities and layers of life. Noughts & Crosses reads like a history lesson in a dystopian Young Adult novel that will have you intrigued from beginning to end.
Reviews:
Awards:
ALA’S Best Books For Young Adults
ALA Best Books For Young Adults Nominee
Chicago’s Public Library Best of the Best
Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Starred High School Title
Malorie Blackman OBE is a British writer who held the position of Children’s Laureate from 2013 to 2015. She primarily writes literature and television drama for children and young adults. She has used science fiction to explore social and ethical issues
Nought & Crosses TV Adaption:
Elisa A. Garcia is a Supervising Librarian of Teen Services at the New York Public Library. She is motivated to foster a love of reading in reluctant teen readers and therefore strives to introduce them to a diverse world and experiences through books. Mentoring new librarians, Elisa has savored the opportunity to broaden her scope in promoting diversity in librarianship by building on her love to help our communities and instilling in others the passion she has for libraries and readers as a whole.
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 
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