CRITICAL PRAISE FOR ALEX WHEATLE’S NOVELS

“Alex Wheatle writes from a place of honesty and passion, with the full knowledge and understanding that change can only happen through words and actions.”

—Steve McQueen, Academy Award–winning film director

for Kemosha of the Caribbean

• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

“A stunning historical adventure that upends stereotypes.”

—Times (UK)

“Kemosha’s indomitable spirit, determination, and wit make for an unforgettable heroine.”

—Guardian (UK)

“Inspired by accounts of women pirates, this fantastical tale represents the era’s cruelty without romanticizing it. Kemosha’s love and persistence combine with forceful action, the terror of harsh racism, and passionate, colorful language.”

—Toronto Star

“Kemosha’s heart and tenacity are endearing.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Wheatle’s swashbuckling latest blends adventure, history, and poignancy … Well written and full of thrills, this cross between Margarita Engle’s Hurricane Dancers and L.A. Meyer’s Bloody Jack Adventures series will inspire hope and spark admiration.”

—Booklist

“Kemosha of the Caribbean is easily the best pirate tale I have ever encountered. If that seems a bold statement, its boldness pales in comparison to Kemosha’s enduring bravery and steadfastness.”

—The Plot Thickens

“Readers are in for a wild ride through this rich mix of cultures, lifestyles, [and] languages.”

—Children’s Literature

for Cane Warriorsr

“Alex Wheatle departs from his award-winning contemporary novels for a superb foray into historical fiction … Wheatle’s characteristic kennings and coinages … heighten this intense, affecting story of courage, bloodshed, and commitment to freedom at all costs.”

—Guardian (UK)

“I read it in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. Cane Warriors is such a powerful narrative of trauma and triumph … Wheatle celebrates the heroism that Tacky inspires. He tells the riveting story of fourteen-year-old Moa who bravely joins Tacky’s army.”

—Gleaner (Jamaica)

“Wheatle brings the struggle of slavery in the Jamaican sugarcane fields to life … A refreshing and heartbreaking story that depicts both a real-life uprising against oppression and the innate desire to be free. Highly recommended.”

—School Library Journal, starred review

for Home Girl

“Another powerful and poignant novel deftly created by one of the most prolific master novelists on either side of the pond. Home Girl is a page-turner, with not a dull moment. Loved it from the rooter to the tooter.”

—Eric Jerome Dickey, author of Before We Were Wicked

“Teenager Naomi, old before her time and as vulnerable as she is fierce, is growing up in the care system. Foster homes and pupil referral units reveal the unsettling, often bewildering reality of this existence. Wheatle’s empathy, authentic characters, and rich dialogue illuminate the dark.”

—Observer Magazine (UK)

“Naomi Brisset is a teenage girl growing up too fast in the UK care system. Her journey through a series of foster homes exposes the unsettling, often heartwrenching truth of this life. Yet despite the grit, Wheatle’s writing is as rich and warm as ever, bringing courage and hope to an unforgettable heroine’s story.”

—Bookseller (UK), Editors’ Choice

“With a tough exterior and brash attitude, Naomi is an authentic character in an unfortunate yet accurate picture of modern-day foster care in the UK … The ending is neither predictable nor sugarcoated, leaving readers rooting for this determined heroine.”

—School Library Journal