Nominated for the 2025 Carnegie Medal for Writing and shortlisted for the 2025 Branford Boase Award. Heartfelt and up-to-the-minute...A reminder that even short lines can take you a long way – The Sunday Times. The soaring debut YA verse-novel by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Manjeet Mann, and Dean Atta. Pen in one hand, on my wrist, a ticking clockI've got to make this work, just need a little luck... When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it’s finally time they move out of London. In his new city, as a Black teenager in a mostly white school, Ronny feels like a complete outsider and struggles to balance keeping his head down with his ambition of becoming a rapper. But when a local poet comes into class, Ronny discovers a world he’s never considered before.

Rap is like spoken word, bars equal poetry – and maybe the combination of both could be the key to achieving his dreams?This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction – Waterstones.comPraise for Wild East:A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth - Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle SummerAn amazing tale of self-reflection, acceptance, and achieving your greatest aspirations - screenrant.comWelcomes all types of readers...Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece - DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't CryReaders say:"Although a YA novel, this is a book I think everyone should read.""Wild East is an outstanding piece of work."