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Orangeboy

Book
Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence

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By Patrice Lawrence

avg rating

7 reviews

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS, SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARD AND THE YA BOOK PRIZE

""A truly brilliant book."" Malorie Blackman

""Incredible book. Thank you Patrice Lawrence for such a fresh and riveting piece of fiction."" Ben Bailey Smith (Doc Brown)

""What a book! Such a gripping, gritty storyline, with such wonderful, believable characters. Loved it."" Tanya Landman, author of Buffalo Soldier

Not cool enough, not clever enough, not street enough for anyone to notice me. I was the kid people looked straight through.

NOT ANY MORE. NOT SINCE MR ORANGE.

Sixteen-year-old Marlon has made his mum a promise – he’ll never follow his big brother, Andre, down the wrong path. So far, it’s been easy, but when a date ends in tragedy, Marlon finds himself hunted. They’re after the mysterious Mr Orange, and they’re going to use Marlon to get to him. Marlon’s out of choices – can he become the person he never wanted to be, to protect everyone he loves?

Reviews

03 Sep 2023

Centred around the life of a family living on an estate in London, this book is a real page-turner that keeps the reader eager to know more. Bringing the terrifying worlds of gang rivalry and crime into sharp relief (and all the associated problems that can thus accumulate), we witness our protagonist Marlon, a black middle-teenager, experience an emotional rollercoaster encompassing family tragedy, mental health and friendships, all while trying to navigate his GCSEs and developing feelings and loves. We see true friendship and/or familial loyalty emerging as a reassuring partner to the difficulties that life can throw at you. Modern technology is incorporated naturally throughout the narrative, interspersed with references to late 20th Century music and recent popular media, making this a wholly believable and realistic read.

09 Aug 2023

I didn't have a favorite character in this book but I felt compassion towards the mum because she had lost so many loved ones: her husband, her eldest son, and nearly her younger son! I found it quite inappropriate as there are lots of swear words, vulgar slang and threats but that was to illustrate the gang life. I found it extremely racist when Marlon was being interviewed because he was black and the girl he was with was white, they assumed that he gave her the drugs. There was a lot of mystery throughout the book but in the end we found out why there was so much hatred between D-Ice and Marlon. I felt sorry for Marlon because he was being bullied and beaten up by the gang boys and he couldn't even talk about it to his mum, only his cousin who was trying to be helpful but at the same time, she tried to live her life. It was very violent but nonetheless an unputdownable book.

07 Aug 2023

Changed me deeply was fun to read but not the best

21 Jul 2022

I haven't finished the book but it is amazing and so interesting and if it weren't for all the religious and children I would recommend this book to everyone but it does contain a few inappropriate parts and swear words which may be alarming to some readers.

11 Aug 2021

A cautionary tale about being in the wrong place at the wrong time can change your life. A good but perhaps unnecessarily long. Main character was very strong and easy to relate to. I can imagine this would really appeal to teenage boys as it is edgy and daring.
I would recommend it

20 Jul 2021

Orangeboy focuses on the central character Marlon, a good student who finds himself in difficult circumstances when he agrees to go to the fair with a beautiful blonde haired girl called Sonia. His story focuses on how easy it is to become entrapped in gang life, despite not wanting to be.; the risks young people take and the dangers of doing so, and how quickly your life can change.

I enjoyed this book, despite the fact that the central character annoyed me in places, due to his stubborn nature, and unwillingness to accept help and involve the authorities. I think this was probably more due to my age and being a mum, than any fault with the book though!

I think this opening would hook in reluctant readers, but the length may put them off. Great story.

01 Jun 2018

A really cool book! Has some inappropriate subject matter for children 11 and under. I recommend this to anyone 13/14+

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