"Noughts and Crosses is a compelling story written by respected black author Malorie Blackman and takes a unique look at racism in an alternate world. Visually, it is an appealing novel with a simple cover of black and white and an easy to read typeface that doesn't have you squinting. The chapter sections are eaisly indentifiable and the book is sufficiently thick enough to challenge young readers, although it may scare reluctant readers away due to the thickness.
Sephy and Callum are childhood friends who have grown up together. The only problem stopping this relationship progressing is that Sephy is a Cross and a member of one of the highest ranking Cross families and Callum is a Nought, a second class citizen in an increasingly segregated society. The story follows their relationship, set against the backdrop of dissatisfied Noughts wanting equal rights and Crosses seeking to maintain dominance and this is brought home to the two teens when they are forbidden to see each other over something which happened in the past which no-one speaks about."I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and although it's a really depressing book, it is very well written and is just unputdownable! An all-round good read, and I recommend it to all
Happy reading,
Simon
