Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 7+ Malorie Blackman is adept at writing thought-provoking books as full of ideas as they are of action and adventure. This futuristic drama is set in a world where humans are banned from touching one another and must wear Non-Contact suits at all times. Cal and his friends defy the rules, taking off their suits to play football - real not virtual, with as much contact as possible. When Jacob forces his way into their group, it looks as though their secret is out, but Jacob is transformed by the experience and feels connected to his team-mates in a way he never has before. A typically engaging and rewarding read. ~ Andrea Reece
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
An exciting futuristic drama about acceptance, trust and teamwork from an award-winning author. In a post-apocalyptic world where everyone wears Non-Contact suits to survive and where you can never touch another person directly, Cal and Jenna have formed a football team. Not virtual - real football, with real contact. But Jenna's horrible twin Jacob is suspicious and it looks like they're headed for disaster...Can the team reach out to Jacob and convince him that making contact is also what makes us feel alive?
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
A World Book Day Author 2019| Children's Laureate 2013-2015
Malorie Blackman has written over sixty books for children and young adults. Many of her books have also been adapted for stage and television, including a BAFTA-award-winning BBC production of Pig-Heart Boy and a Pilot Theatre stage adaptation by Sabrina Mahfouz of Noughts & Crosses. There is also a major BBC production of Noughts & Crosses, with Roc Nation (JayZ's entertainment company) curating and releasing the soundtrack as executive music producer.
In 2008 Malorie received an OBE for her services to children's literature, and between 2013 and 2015 she was the Children's Laureate. Most recently, Malorie wrote for the Doctor Who series on BBC One, and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses series, Crossfire, is published by Penguin Random House Children's.
