"A heartwarming slice of middle grade social realism, Outlaws is a story about friendship and family and about getting the strength and self-belief that enables you to stand up for justice for yourself and others."
August 2026 Book of the Month
Will, Robyn and Scarlett are the titular ‘outlaws’, who are all in Year 8 at Sherwood High, which has an acting headteacher called Mr Nottingham, so we are given lots of clues that this engrossing story may turn out to be about fighting for social justice.
The three equally strong narrative voices really hook the reader in and enable us to understand their situations and why, initially, they may be afraid to share personal details with each other, having only just met in a detention which none of them deserved.
Like Jacqueline Wilson before her this is an author who can write with real authenticity and compassion about young people from underrepresented groups. Will is trying cope as a carer for his mum and younger brothers, earning money from his side hustle of doing other kid’s homework. Scarlet is in a new foster home and is desperate to stay where she is, despite the bullying of an older daughter in the family. Robyn is autistic and currently lives with her grandad, after her parents separated. She loves nothing more than helping out at her grandad's bike repair shop, but with her dad working in Italy, she must cope alone when her Grandad starts to forget things and behave erratically.
But despite all of this, when they find themselves in a situation where the head teacher seems determined to go out and pick on the children who are most vulnerable, by cutting bursaries and limiting opportunities, they suspect that there is something seriously wrong at their school and are determined to find a way of setting things right.
These are flawed but very relatable and likeable characters, who discover the comfort of sharing their burdens and demonstrate great moral courage, resilience and loyalty. The highly satisfactory comeuppance that they deliver to the villain of the story will be much enjoyed while also giving readers plenty to think about and discuss.
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A page-turning story about three unlikely schoolfriends who learn they can take on the world when they stick together; perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson.
Robyn, Will and Scarlet first meet in detention. Robyn is not looking for friends - being new in Year 8 and everything changing at home is more than enough for her to cope with.
Will is smiling, as usual - he's got it under control: acing his schoolwork, caring for his sick mum, looking after his little brothers. He's even got a side hustle to help out with the bills.
Scarlet just wants to keep her head down. Her latest foster parents are the best ever - so if she can just be quiet and avoid their bullying daughter, she really hopes she can stay there. But the three of them soon notice that the new headteacher is making life really hard for the kids least able to defend themselves. Banding together, these three unlikely 'outlaws' come up with a crazy idea to help those in need, only to find just what they need themselves: true friends.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Outlaws and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Outlaws features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, School Stories, PSHE: Bullying and Discrimination, PSHE: Family Issues, PSHE: Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem and Wellbeing, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Outlaws is available in Paperback
Outlaws was written by E. L. Norry and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Outlaws has 315 pages
£7.19
