Noughts & Crosses

Malorie Blackman

In a society starkly divided by race, where the dark-skinned ruling class, the Crosses, oppress the 'colourless' Noughts, two young people find their lives irrevocably intertwined. Sephy, a privileged Cross, and Callum, a defiant Nought, have been friends since childhood, a bond that defies the deep-seated prejudice of their world. As their forbidden connection blossoms into a dangerous romance, they become symbols of hope and defiance against a backdrop of escalating racial tension and violence. Their love story challenges the very foundations of their society, forcing them to confront the brutal realities of prejudice and the perilous path they must forge together.

Malorie Blackman

In a society rigidly divided between the ruling Crosses and the oppressed noughts, Sephy, a Cross, finds herself caught between two worlds when her baby daughter's father is a nought. Meanwhile, Jude, a young nought consumed by a deep-seated bitterness, holds Sephy responsible for his family's suffering. As tensions escalate and Jude's life hangs precariously in the balance, Sephy must confront the devastating consequences of prejudice and make an impossible choice that will determine the fate of both communities. This gripping novel explores themes of identity, social injustice, and the enduring power of love in the face of hatred.