ABOUT
THE BOOK

Newly arrived from Ghana with his mother and older sister, Harrison Opoku lives on the ninth floor of a block of flats on a London housing estate. The (second) best runner in the whole of Year 7, Harri races through his new life in his personalised trainers – the Adidas stripes drawn on in marker pen – unaware of the danger growing around him.

But when a boy is knifed to death on the high street and a police appeal for witnesses draws only silence, Harri decides to start a murder investigation of his own. In doing so, he unwittingly breaks the fragile web his mother has spun around her family to keep them safe.

Harri will come face to face with the very real dangers surrounding him. A powerful, unforgettable tale, importantly relevant for readers of today.

Librarian’s Comments

This shortlisted debut novel was voted the ‘winner’ within our reading groups and ‘Toon Booker’ event which celebrated and highlighted the Man Booker Prize. This book was chosen as the character Harrison Opoku is a fantastic narrator full of exuberance and enthusiasm. The novel is also very descriptive and realistic which indicates the author’s personal experiences.