Orangeboy

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS, SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD AND THE YA BOOK PRIZE

"A truly brilliant book." Malorie Blackman

"Incredible book. Thank you Patrice Lawrence for such a fresh and riveting piece of fiction." Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown)

"What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it." Tanya Landman, author of Buffalo Soldier

Not cool enough, not clever enough, not street enough for anyone to notice me. I was the kid people looked straight through.

NOT ANY MORE. NOT SINCE MR ORANGE.

Sixteen-year-old Marlon has made his mum a promise - he'll never follow his big brother, Andre, down the wrong path. So far, it's been easy, but when a date ends in tragedy, Marlon finds himself hunted. They're after the mysterious Mr Orange, and they're going to use Marlon to get to him. Marlon's out of choices - can he become the person he never wanted to be, to protect everyone he loves?

Winner of Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Older Fiction 2017
Short-listed for "The Bookseller" YA Book Prize 2017
Short-listed for Costa Children's Book Award 2016

“Promoted as a gritty coming-of-age drama urban thriller with a powerful message and an irresistable central character”

The Voice
A contemporary urban thriller with a powerful family drama at its heart The Bookseller
I liked the lack of judgement the author made and the fact this is ultimately an action packed story with a strong male protagonist Bibliomaniac
Keeps the reader enthralled and wanting more Nudge.com
One of those books I wish had been written when I was a teenager...simply brilliant Medieval Jenga
What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it -- Tanya Landman, author
'I absolutely adored this story...it's a truthful and powerful story that is much needed in the UK YA scene Charlie in a Book
Pacey crime thriller that feels unique, realistic and truthful Book Trust
A gripping debut about gang culture and the consequences of making bad decisions The Guardian
It is direct and punchy The Guardian
The book travels at speed to a climax that is both sudden and shocking. This story of family ties, gang culture and the dangers of drugs is without a doubt one of the finest YA debuts I've read and Marlon Sunday is a character that you won't forget in a hurry. The Crime Review
This powerful coming-of-age drama -- both violent and sensitive -- keeps the reader on the edge of their seat Optima Magazine
Readers with strong stomachs can expect to be entirely hooked into a story that is well written, pacy and within its own terms horribly convincing Books For Keeps
Patrice Lawrence's Orangeboy - an exploration of gang culture centred around Marlon, who follows in his older brother's footsteps when an innocent date ends in tragedy - won the 2017 YA book Prize. Independent
A truly brilliant book. I galloped through it. Spoiler alert! The car incident and standoff at the end... edge of the seat stuff! Malorie Blackman
Pitch-perfect teen voices and a bruising, thrilling pace. Metro
Incredible book and experience. Thank you Patrice Lawrence for such a fresh and riveting piece of fiction. Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown)

Orange Boy is a page turner. It gripped my heart from page one and didn't let go.

Marlon goes on a date with the hottest girl in school and his world begins to tip. And it doesn't stop until everything in his life is upside down.
Faced with almost impossible choices, Marlon has to grow up fast and work out exactly who he is at the same time as working out how to survive.

This is a book that explores the meaning of family, friendship and loyalty. And it does so with intelligence and sensitivity.

It's fast, clever, often funny and always truthful. Patrice Lawrence is a writer to watch.

Jenny Downham, author of 'Before I Die'
What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it. Tanya Landman, author of 'Buffalo Soldier'
This powerful urban story will challenge preconceptions and melt the hardest heart. The Sun
a young adult thriller with a gritty edge, diverse characters and a drum-tight plot that will get even the most reluctant teenage reader hooked. Good Housekeeping
A young adult thriller with a gritty edge, diverse characters and a drum-tight plot that will get even the most reluctant teenager hooked. Good Housekeeping
Knuckle-in-the-mouth stuff... It's impossible not to gulp down this wonderful, intense story in one mouthful. The Times
A fast-paced thriller, written with a keen ear for young voices, Orangeboy is an original and fresh perspective on the struggles facing London's teenagers. Amnesty International UK

Patrice Lawrence was born in Brighton and brought up in an Italian-Trinidadian household in Mid Sussex. This meant great holidays and even better food. Her first novel, Orangeboy, won the Waterstones Book Prize for Older Readers and the Bookseller YA Book Prize. Her second novel, Indigo Donut, and her fourth novel, Eight Pieces of Silva won the Crimefest Award for young adults. Eight Pieces of Silva was also awarded the inaugural Jhalak Prize for children and young people and the Woman & Home Bookclub Teen Drama of the Year. Patrice's ideal mixtape includes drum 'n' bass, Bruce Springsteen and Studio Ghibli soundtracks. Music can't help creeping into her books.

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS, SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD AND THE YA BOOK PRIZE " A truly brilliant book. " Malorie Blackman"Incredible book. Thank you Patrice Lawrence for such a fresh and riveting piece of fiction. " Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown)"What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it." Tanya Landman, author of Buffalo Soldier Not cool enough, not clever enough, not street enough for anyone to notice me. I was the kid people looked straight through. NOT ANY MORE. NOT SINCE MR ORANGE.Sixteen-year-old Marlon has made his mum a promise - he'll never follow his big brother, Andre, down the wrong path. So far, it's been easy, but when a date ends in tragedy, Marlon finds himself hunted. They're after the mysterious Mr Orange, and they're going to use Marlon to get to him. Marlon's out of choices - can he become the person he never wanted to be, to protect everyone he loves?

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