King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore - Waterstones Children's Book Prize Winner - YA Paperback for Teens 12+ - Hilarious, Heartwarming Coming-of-Age

Condition: BRAND NEW Format: Paperback ISBN: 9781471413247 Publisher: Hot Key Books Age Range: 12+ Overview: King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore is the Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning YA novel about reputation, friendship and finding out who you really are. Anton rules his South London school with a sharp tongue and fearsome reputation, until trouble forces his mum to intervene. Packed off to the Happy Campers club, Anton expects only boredom - instead he meets Matthew, the boy everyone else ignores, who ends up saving his life. What follows is a laugh-out-loud, tender coming-of-age story about masculinity, grief and unlikely friendship. About the Book: Nathanael Lessore crafts a tight, character-driven narrative balancing razor-sharp humour with genuine emotional depth. Anton's bravado and quick wit make him hugely entertaining, but the story steadily reveals a boy lonelier, and more afraid, than his reputation suggests. The Happy Campers sessions become an unlikely stage for growth, where small acts of kindness chip away at Anton's assumptions about who matters. Matthew's quiet resilience pushes Anton to question everything he thought was important, while a vividly drawn cast of family and classmates bring warmth, comedy and hard truths. Set against a rarely-portrayed working-class South London backdrop, the novel moves at a lively pace, with short chapters suiting reluctant readers. Themes of grief, identity, class and growing up as a young man are handled with a light touch that never feels heavy-handed. It has resonated with critics and readers alike, going on to win the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers, following the acclaim of Lessore's Branford Boase Award-winning debut. Teachers and parents will find plenty to discuss, from peer pressure to empathy, making it a natural fit for classroom reading, book clubs and personal reading. Key Benefits: Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers. From the Branford Bo