Winner of the 2010 Frances Lincoln / Seven Stories Diverse Voices Children's Book Award. Click here to read author and teacher Tom Avery's Q&A with one of the judges, Geraldine Brennan.
This prize-winning story will grab readers’ attention from the opening moments and hold them spell-bound from then on. When Emmanuel and Prince are sent to England to live with their uncle, Emmanuel is put in charge. But, when you are only 12 it’s hard to do everything for yourself and your younger brother. Especially, it’s hard not attract any attention. When things go wrong and the boys go on the run, they find themselves in real danger as part of a thieving gang. Debut novelist Tom Avery shines real insight on how different some children’s lives are in this gripping and deeply moving story.
Click here to see the previous winner of the Diverse Voices award, Takeshita Demons.
"e;Get out, Emmanuel!"e; growled my uncle. "e;Take your brother and go."e; But where can two boys go when they're on their own, on the run, with little money or food? All 12-year-old Emmanuel knows is that he has to look after Prince. They were his father's last words to him. On the train to London, Em and Prince have no idea where they will end up - but then they meet the mysterious Mr Green and his "e;friends"e;. And that's when things start to spin out of control...
‘Avery demonstrates a clear, sympathetic understanding of children’s social hierarchies, the adrenalin rush of committing a successful crime, and the human need to belong, even when the only choice left is belonging to a criminal gang. Or is it the only choice left?... Too Much Trouble won the 2010 Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Award – it’s hard to believe that such a gripping novel is Avery’s first. I can’t wait for the next.’ English 4-11
Author
About Tom Avery
Tom Avery was born and raised in London in a very large, very loud family, descendants of the notorious pirate Henry Avery. He trained as a teacher and has worked with children in inner city schools in London and Birmingham.
Tom lives in Amsterdam with his wife and two sons.
Click here to read The English Association's interview with Tom.
