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Noughts & Crosses: Book 1 (Part1 of Noughts & Crosses Trilogy) [Paperback]

Malorie Blackman (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (468 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 8 Aug 2006 | Series: Part1 of Noughts & Crosses Trilogy (Book 1)
Sephy is a Cross – a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought – a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood. But that’s as far as it can go. Until the first steps are taken towards more social equality and a limited number of Noughts are allowed into Cross schools… Against a background of prejudice and distrust, intensely highlighted by violent terrorist activity by Noughts, a romance builds between Sephy and Callum – a romance that is to lead both of them into terrible danger…

This title Noughts and Crosses 9780552555708 is the first book in the Noughts and Crosses trilogy.

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Frequently Bought Together

Noughts & Crosses: Book 1 (Part1 of Noughts & Crosses Trilogy) + Knife Edge + Checkmate: Book 3 (Noughts And Crosses)
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  • Knife Edge by Malorie Blackman Paperback �5.03
  • Checkmate: Book 3 (Noughts And Crosses) by Malorie Blackman Paperback �3.85

Product details

  • Paperback: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Corgi Childrens; New Ed edition (8 Aug 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0552555703
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552555708
  • Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (468 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 806 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Dominic Cooke
Malorie Blackman

Product Description

Amazon Review

Malorie Blackman is a fine, award-winning author whose work is always inclined to provoke debate amongst her readers, and indeed her peers. With Noughts and Crosses she surpasses expectation not only with her subject matter, but with the execution of a stimulating and provocative plot line that often leaves the reader chilled to the bone.

Sephy and Callum have been best friends since childhood, and now they are older and they realise they want more from each other. But the harsh realities of lives lived in a segregated society are beginning to take their toll: Callum is a nought--a second-class citizen in a world dominated by the Crosses--and Sephy is a Cross, and the daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country. The barriers they would have to cross to be together at first seem little more than minor obstacles to the two idealistic teenagers, but soon those barriers threaten not only their friendship but their lives.

Noughts and Crosses is written with the passion of an author who has a personal message about the perception of the past, present and future, and Blackman has used the clever device of turning preconceived ideas of racial prejudice upside down to make sure that her point is well and truly made. Deeply disturbing and totally absorbing this novel is intriguing from the outset, with a shocking climax that packs an unforgettable punch. (Age 11 and over) --Susan Harrison --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"An inspired take on Romeo and Juliet, Blackman's absorbing but alarming novel deals with themes of racism and prejudice without ever coming across as didactic. Unforgettable" (Independent)

"Stimulating and emotionally satisfying" (Financial Times)

"A gritty read for older children . . . At times this is a beautiful love story; at other times it is a harrowing and moral tale. Narrating believably through the voices of two teenagers, Malorie Blackman has written an incredible novel that is as heart-rending as it is provocative. I had to read it all in one sitting, and I challenge any reader not to do the same" (Bookseller)

"This epic tome packs some powerful political punches to which readers will undoubtedly respond. But Blackman never compromises the story, which is dramatic, moving and brave" (Guardian)

"Inter-racial teenage love has never been more painful" (Amanda Craig The Times)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
84 of 89 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Modern Youth Classic that just misses the mark 2 July 2007
By Mr. T. COLEMAN VINE VOICE
Format:Paperback
My wife is a teacher and is going through this book with her pupils. Call me snobbish, but despite her protestations that I really should read it, I was reluctant - I'm not a teenager, for one, and feared I'd find it tedious and craftless.

How wrong I was. Blackman's novel is superbly paced and stylistically clever. The dual first-person-narrative structure really works and showcases Blackman's excellent ability to write convincing voices that are diametrically opposed (13 yr old Sephy from the ruling class with her affluent but sheltered naivety, and 15yr old Callum - a young man brimming with anger and disaffection).

It's the contrast between these two protagonists that makes this novel so compelling. Blackman really fleshes out the basic morality tale of "Racism is bad / Equality is good", avoiding simplistic answers. There is no neat closure here. Heroes commit atrocities and villains make broken gestures of kindness. Ironically, there is no black and white. Such richness was thrilling, especially when you consider this is written for the teenage market.

More than this the plot unfolds with the timing of a thriller, and even though one can see developments and twists approaching from a mile away, Blackman writes it so well that I found myself hardly caring. The events that transpire might be predictable, but the complex and brave characterisation make the ride compelling.

On the down side, there are some clichés that trip the story up at times. It's not enough to cripple the narrative, but it does slow it down and I, for one, found myself annoyed at such small but noticeable setbacks. These clichés can be brushed over and you can still thoroughly enjoy the text, but for me it stopped the book becoming a bonafide classic. Read more ›
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147 of 157 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! 23 Mar 2001
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book because I'd read a lot of Malorie's other books and really liked them. But this book is like nothing I've ever read before. It's so class, I don't know what to say about it. It's a bit like Romeo and Juliet but tons and tonss better. I felt like I wasn't just watching Callum and Sephy but I was them. I could understand exactly why they behaved the way they did. And I actually started thinking of them as real people. I'm still thinking about them. They both made me laugh and - I admit it - they both made me cry. I'm glad no one knows who I am. It's a bit embarressing for a 15 year old boy to admit that a book made him cry but as long as my friends don't find out, that's okay. I loved this book. I'm going to read it again now. It made me think more about racism and prejudice where I live, in my school and even at home. I wish everyone could read it. It's so good, it deserves to get 5 and a half stars out of 5.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars More than entertainment 1 Sep 2005
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This book is about racism and prejudice of all kinds - it's both entertaining and educational. The writer shows the viewpoint from both sides of the 'fence' and shows why prejudice is a two-way thing that ultimately hurts both sides. Blackman encourages the reader to look at their own attitudes by pointing out things that might never have occurred before (eg - I never thought how plasters are only made in a pinky-white person kind of colour before!) I think that any intelligent person (child or adult) who reads this book will put it down having learnt something about themselves, society and the importance of equality. This is a good book and I can't wait to read the sequel.
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61 of 68 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, exciting, moving, stunning and thought-provoking 13 Mar 2001
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I read Noughts & Crosses in one go, although I didn't mean to. It grabbed me from the second chapter and wouldn't let go. It took me all day and well into the night to read it as I'm not a very fast reader, but it was worth it. This book made me laugh out loud in certain bits, made me tear two of the pages in my haste to turn the pages in certain bits and the end of the book made me cry. No book has ever done that before. The whole story was brilliant! There isn't a single bit that I thought was boring or had to skip over. And when I closed the book, I couldn't stop thinking about it. It's the best book I've ever read in my life. I don't think five stars are enough. It should have 10! It should have 100! Read it now. You'll love it!
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49 of 55 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Will turn your view of the world upside down 13 Dec 2003
By Lisa L. Hansen
Format:Paperback
"Noughts and crosses" is being marketed as a children's book but don't let that keep you from reading it - I'm in my mid-20'es and absolutely loved it. The story is thought-provoking to say the least and the characters stop being characters after about 15-20 pages and become real people who you will care for and root for till the very end.
It's equal parts suspense and love story and both will have you at the edge of your seat, turning page after page and needing to "just read one more chapter" until you are well into the wee hours of the morning.
Don't keep anything breakable nearby though as the unfairness of it all will have you wanting to hurl something heavy through the air quite a lot; instead, a box of tissues will come in handy as the ending is both incredibly sad and incredibly beautiful. All in all the book, its theme, its questions, and its people will stay with you for days after you've finished it and it is a book which you shouldn't cheat yourself of. This is the first book I've read by Marjorie Blackman but it definitely won't be the last.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars First and best!
This book is the first full book I have ever read, I am only 15 and I loved it! Amazing book! Very tear jerking and heart warming I cried a lot! Definitely buying the follow ons! Read more
Published 7 days ago by Jade Ann Mawhinney
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
One of the best books I have ever read, brilliantly paced and even made me cry at the end! !
Published 9 days ago by jodie davison
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
I was discussing books with my friends when somebody asked if we'd read "Noughts and Crosses" by Malorie Blackman. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Katy O'Neill
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent fiction
So much is said here about society, racial discrimination, prejudice and the manipulation /misuse of power. Couldn't stop reading it.
Published 23 days ago by Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
Gripping..... Frustrating that this still happens in the world we love in. Very we'll written, look forward to to the sequel
Published 24 days ago by Dukey
4.0 out of 5 stars A strong message
Review: I had this novel sitting on my shelf for a long time and in the end I decided to borrow the audiobook from the library just so that I could read it on a long car journey I... Read more
Published 25 days ago by cat23_12@hotmail.com
5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating and very relevant story
The story really pulls you in at a human level and tackles the attitudes around, and consequences of, racism in a straightforward way that doesn't over simplifying the issues
Published 1 month ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking.
A very interesting thought provoking book. A good study book for KS3 methinks. Great as a book group read. Enjoy!
Published 1 month ago by Rosalie Gore
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
this book was amazing by the way the author used the use of chapters by going back and forth between the two sides of the characters it's the best book I've ready so far
Published 1 month ago by nicole ritchie
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow
Wow!!

Remember reading this book about 10 years ago. It has always stuck with me and I have always remembered it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by L Perkins
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