61 pages 2 hours read

Malorie Blackman

Noughts And Crosses

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman follows the intertwined lives of Sephy Hadley, a Cross, and Callum McGregor, a nought, in a society structured around racial inequality, where Africans hold power over Europeans. As they navigate severe societal tensions, discrimination, and their evolving relationship, they confront personal and political struggles that shape their journeys toward adulthood. The reader should be aware that the text deals with sensitive topics like suicide, rape, bombings, and racial injustices.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Noughts And Crosses by Malorie Blackman is widely praised for its bold exploration of racism and systemic inequality through a compelling, alternate history narrative. Reviewers commend its strong character development and emotional depth. Criticisms include some didactic elements and occasional predictability. Overall, a thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Noughts And Crosses?

Readers who enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would find Noughts and Crosses compelling. Ideal for teens and young adults, it appeals to those interested in dystopian settings, social justice, and intricate, emotional narratives probing racial tensions and inequalities.

RecommendedReading Age

12-18years

Book Details

Genre

Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction

Romance

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Topics

Race / Racism

Incarceration

Relationships

Themes

Society: Class

Values/Ideas: Equality

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice