The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS4 - Cuts Both Ways by Candice Brathwaite

 

A sharp and funny YA love story that explores themes of race, class and the complexities of growing up as a black British teen, from Sunday Times best-selling author Candice Brathwaite, author of I Am Not Your Baby Mother.

London is all Cynthia knows, so when her parents abruptly uproot the family after a traumatic incident, to a place where there is only one bus an hour and the faint smell of horse manure continuously permeates the air, it's a culture shock, to say the least. As is transitioning to a private school.

At her new school, Cynthia is one of the only black students. Goofy Thomas, her white lab partner, immediately takes her under his wing. He's kind and sweet, and her parents are pleased - someone like Thomas will be good for her 'future prospects'.

As much as Cynthia likes Thomas though, she can't help noticing Isaac, the only other black student in her year. He is aloof and doesn't seem to like her, but there's something about him she cannot quite get enough of...

But when it turns out both boys have been keeping secrets from her, secrets that link back to the life Cynthia thought she had left behind in London, she realises that not everything is as it seems.

Will Cynthia be able to forgive the lies and follow her heart?

Publisher: Hachette Children's Group
ISBN: 9781786541833
Number of pages: 320