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Table of Contents
About The Book
Shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2025
Shortlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2025
Shortlisted for the Peter’s Children’s Book of the Year Award 2025
Shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2025
Shortlisted for the 2025 Quiz Writers' Choice Award for Best Secondary Fiction
Longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2025
A life affirming story of rehabilitation and hope after prison. The third novel from multi-award-winning Danielle Jawando, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo.
‘Jawando’s writing is incredibly raw and real; I felt completely immersed’ Alice Oseman, author of the Heartstopper series
When fifteen-year-old Tyrell Forrester gets caught up in a high-profile armed robbery, he's sentenced to eighteen months in a young offenders’ prison. Now he’s getting out, and he’s determined to turn his life around. Despite his release, systemic discrimination makes it difficult for Ty to truly be free. Inspired by a visiting poet while inside, Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice. But will society ever see him as anything other than a criminal?
Praise for And the Stars Were Burning Brightly:
'An outstanding and compassionate debut' Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy
'One of the brightest up and coming stars of the YA world' Alex Wheatle, author of Crongton Knights
‘An utter page turner from a storming new talent. Passionate, committed and shines a ray of light into the darkest places - the YA novel of 2020!’ Melvin Burgess, author of Junk
Praise for When Our Worlds Collided:
'A raw, unflinching and powerful story that will stay with me for a long time’ Manjeet Mann, author of The Crossing
‘A beautiful ode to found family, and a compassionate look at the power of connection borne from the ashes of tragedy and apathy’ Christina Hammonds Reed, author of The Black Kids
‘Hard-hitting yet still hopeful, this is an emotional powerhouse of a book’ Alexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods
Warning - this novel contains themes that some readers may find upsetting, including suicide and self harm.
About The Author
Photograph (c) Danielle Jawando
Danielle Jawando is an author and screenwriter. Her debut YA novel, And the Stars Were Burning Brightly, won best senior novel in the Great Reads Award, and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize, the Branford Boase Award, and was longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the UKLA Book Awards and the Amazing Book Awards. Her previous publications include the non-fiction children's book Maya Angelou (Little Guides to Great Lives), the short stories Paradise 703 (longlisted for the Finishing Line Press Award) and The Deerstalker (selected as one of six finalists for the We Need Diverse Books short story competition), as well as several short plays performed in Manchester and London. Danielle has also worked on Coronation Street as a storyline writer. Her second novel, When Our Worlds Collided, won the 2023 Jhalak Children's and YA Prize and the 2023 YA Book Prize.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK (May 9, 2024)
- Length: 368 pages
- ISBN13: 9781398514034
- Ages: 14 and up
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Raves and Reviews
‘Shining a light into lives hidden to most white readers, [this] book will leave a mark forever on many hearts’ Melvin Burgess, author of Junk
‘Danielle Jawando is an extraordinary storyteller’ Jenny Valentine, author of A Girl Called Joy
‘A powerful, much needed book about race in the UK. A must read!’ Abiola Bello, co-author of The Very Merry Murder Club
‘A beautiful and absorbing read’ Diana Anyakwo, author of My Life as a Chameleon
‘Danielle Jawando is an important and hugely talented voice in UK YA’ Liz Flanagan, author of Dragon Daughter
‘Gripping, unflinching, immersive and addictive’ Lara Williams, author of Supper Club
‘Danielle Jawando is an incredible talent and an important voice in the YA space. Her writing weaves such strength, resilience, heartbreak and hope into this story.’ Benjamin Dean, author of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow
‘There is a real command and authenticity of her subject, place and narrative in Danielle Jawando’s writing. She’s fulfilling every promise and more that she displayed in And The Stars Were Burning Brightly. An outstanding talent.’ Alex Wheatle, author of Crongton Knights
Praise for And the Stars Were Burning Brightly:
'An outstanding and compassionate debut' Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy
'One of the brightest up and coming stars of the YA world' Alex Wheatle, author of Crongton Knights
‘An utter page turner from a storming new talent. Passionate, committed and shines a ray of light into the darkest places - the YA novel of 2020!’ Melvin Burgess, author of Junk
Praise for When Our Worlds Collided:
'A raw, unflinching and powerful story that will stay with me for a long time’ Manjeet Mann, author of The Crossing
‘A beautiful ode to found family, and a compassionate look at the power of connection borne from the ashes of tragedy and apathy’ Christina Hammonds Reed, author of The Black Kids
‘Hard-hitting yet still hopeful, this is an emotional powerhouse of a book’ Alexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): If My Words Had Wings
Paperback 9781398514034
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Author Photo (jpg): Danielle Jawando Photograph (c) Danielle Jawando(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
