King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore - Waterstones Prize Winning YA Fiction - Paperback

Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781471413247
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Age Range: 12+

Overview:
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore is the Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winning YA novel about reputation, friendship and finding out who you really are. Anton rules his South London school with a sharp tongue and fearsome reputation, until trouble forces his mum to intervene. Packed off to the Happy Campers club, Anton expects only boredom - instead he meets Matthew, the boy everyone else ignores, who ends up saving his life. What follows is a laugh-out-loud, tender coming-of-age story about masculinity, grief and unlikely friendship.

About the Book:
Nathanael Lessore crafts a tight, character-driven narrative balancing razor-sharp humour with genuine emotional depth. Anton's bravado and quick wit make him hugely entertaining, but the story steadily reveals a boy lonelier, and more afraid, than his reputation suggests. The Happy Campers sessions become an unlikely stage for growth, where small acts of kindness chip away at Anton's assumptions about who matters. Matthew's quiet resilience pushes Anton to question everything he thought was important, while a vividly drawn cast of family and classmates bring warmth, comedy and hard truths. Set against a rarely-portrayed working-class South London backdrop, the novel moves at a lively pace, with short chapters suiting reluctant readers. Themes of grief, identity, class and growing up as a young man are handled with a light touch that never feels heavy-handed. It has resonated with critics and readers alike, going on to win the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers, following the acclaim of Lessore's Branford Boase Award-winning debut. Teachers and parents will find plenty to discuss, from peer pressure to empathy, making it a natural fit for classroom reading, book clubs and personal reading.

Key Benefits:

• Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers.
• From the Branford Boase Award-winning author of Steady For This.
• A laugh-out-loud, big-hearted coming-of-age story perfect for teen and reluctant readers.
• Explores masculinity, grief, friendship and identity with warmth and humour.
• Authentic South London setting rarely seen in YA fiction.
• Brand new paperback edition, ideal for gifting or building a teen's bookshelf.

About the Author:
Nathanael Lessore was born in Camberwell, South East London, one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents, and has since lived in Singapore, Paris and Strasbourg before settling in Peckham. His debut, Steady For This, was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and won the Branford Boase Award. King of Nothing, his second novel, went on to win the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers. His writing is known for sharp humour, an authentic South London voice and genuine emotional honesty.

Why You'll Love This King of Nothing:
An award-winning, whip-smart YA comedy with real heart, balancing big laughs with honest reflections on friendship and grief. A standout, prize-winning read for teens and a brilliant gift for reluctant readers.

Please Note: Cover and edition may vary slightly from the image shown; this listing is for the UK edition with UK ISBN as stated above.