If My Words Had Wings

(Paperback)

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A life affirming story of rehabilitation and hope after prison. The third novel from the critically acclaimed Danielle Jawando, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo.

Jawandos writing is incredibly raw and real; I felt completely immersed Alice Oseman, author of the Heartstopper series

After getting in with the wrong crowd and being involved in a high-profile armed robbery, a flawed and discriminatory legal system convicts fifteen-year-old Tyrell Forrester. Locked up in a juvenile prison for two years, Ty soon realises the only person he can trust is himself. Now hes getting out, and hes determined to turn things around. Inspired by a visiting poet while inside, Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice. But will escaping his old life, and friends, be that easy Will societyever 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

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

'One of the brightest up and coming stars of the YA world'Alex Wheatle, author ofCrongton Knights

Praise for When Our Worlds Collided:

'A raw, unflinching and powerful story that will stay with me for a long timeManjeet 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 apathyChristina Hammonds Reed, author of The Black Kids

Hard-hitting yet still hopeful, this is an emotional powerhouse of a bookAlexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods

Author Bio

Danielle Jawando is an author, screenwriter and Lecturer in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University. 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 Childrens Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Jhalak Childrens & YA Prize, the Branford Boase Award and was longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the UKLA Book Awards and the Amazing Book Awards. Her other publications include the YA novelWhen Our Worlds Collided, the non-fiction childrens book Maya Angelou (Little Guides to Great Lives), the short stories Paradise 703 (long-listed 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.