Against All Odds: World Book Day 2026 by Nathanael Lessore - Young Adult - Paperback

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781471420009
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Age Range: 11-14

Overview:
Against All Odds: World Book Day 2026 is a laugh-out-loud teen comedy from award-winning author Nathanael Lessore. Noranto is a footballer, a hustler, and one of the boys - or so he thinks. When his teacher spots a secret talent for poetry, he must decide whether to hide his gift or risk being seen for who he really is. A pocket-sized, big-hearted World Book Day pick for readers aged 11 and up.

About the Book:
Noranto has his identity locked down: he owns the playground football game, runs a few hustles, and has big plans for his mum's surprise birthday party this weekend. Poetry, though? That's just something private - scribbled in his head, on the bus, between goals - not something a boy like him admits to. But when his teacher notices his talent and pushes him to enter a creative writing competition, Noranto must confront a side of himself he'd rather keep hidden. Told with the warmth and wit that make Lessore one of the most talked-about voices in contemporary YA fiction, this short, fast-paced novel packs genuine emotional weight into just over a hundred pages. It tackles masculinity, self-expression, and the fear of not fitting the mould, wrapped in laugh-out-loud humour and an authentic South East London voice. The story never loses its footing between hilarity and heart, showing how creativity can survive even when the world expects you to play a different part. This World Book Day 2026 title is designed to be devoured in a single sitting, making it a great gateway book for younger teens and a satisfying quick read for fans of the author.

• Fast, funny World Book Day 2026 read from a multi-award-winning author.
• Compact 112-page paperback, perfect for reluctant and younger teen readers.
• Tackles masculinity, identity and self-expression with warmth and humour.
• Authentic South East London voice praised across the YA fiction world.
• Ideal gift, classroom pick, or World Book Day token redemption.

About the Author:
Nathanael Lessore was born in Camberwell, South East London, one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents. Though he has spent most of his life in Peckham, he has also lived in Paris, Strasbourg, and Singapore. His debut, Steady For This, was shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 and won the Branford Boase Award 2024. His second novel, King of Nothing, won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers 2025 and the Jhalak Children's & Young Adult Prize 2025. He is also the author of What Happens Online.

Why You'll Love This Book:
A quick, funny, deeply human World Book Day read that balances big laughs with genuine emotional insight. Perfect for reluctant readers, classrooms, and fans of Lessore's earlier award-winning novels alike.

Please Note: Please note that due to being a UK ISBN, the exact cover design may vary slightly from the image shown, however the ISBN and edition are guaranteed correct.