More great reads: the best books for 13 year olds
Nine-year-old Leon loves his new baby brother, Jake. He learns to bathe, feed and sooth him while his mother sleeps upstairs. But now the grownups are saying his mum can't cope and are threatening to split the brothers up and tear Leon's world apart.
Before long, Leon and his new brother are taken into the care of strangers. They are thrust into an uncertain and turbulent world, and Leon becomes vulnerable to the prejudices against the colour of his skin. But he is self-reliant and stubborn, and finds freedom riding his BMX on the streets.
Soon enough, he begins to see the saplings of a community forming in unexpected places. Amongst the undulating circumstances of his life and the social upheaval of 1980s Britain, Leon's resilience forges on. He is determined to rediscover family and find hope in his future.
My Name is Leon is an AQA GCSE set text from 2023 onwards and is suitable for teaching at KS3 and KS4. It explores complex themes of family, loss, growing up, and racial prejudice. This educational format includes additional content at the end of the book, including an interview with the author, novel insights, language and style, and a vocabulary list.
There is also a freely available resource pack with a knowledge organiser for students' use, as well as a teaching guide with suggested lesson plans and activities.
| ISBN: | 9781382048576 |
| Publication date: | 1st January 2024 |
| Author: | Kit de Waal |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press an imprint of OUP OXFORD |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 320 pages |
| Series: | Rollercoasters Key Stage 3 Fiction |
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: |
Nine-year-old Leon loves his new baby brother, Jake. He learns to bathe, feed and sooth him while his mother sleeps upstairs.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed My Name Is Leon and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
My Name Is Leon features in the following genres: Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations, Film & TV Tie-ins, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Special features and related items, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Historical Fiction, PSHE: Family Issues, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback. £8.99. Not Available.
My Name Is Leon was written by Kit de Waal and published by Oxford University Press an imprint of OUP OXFORD
My Name Is Leon has 320 pages
Yes it is part of Rollercoasters Key Stage 3 Fiction series
£8.99. Not Available.
