No Turning Back
by Beverley Naidoo
Interest age: 12 to 18
Reading age: 10+
Published by Puffin, 2016
About this book
Sipho is a runaway, one of many living on the streets of Johannesburg. Like others, he has run from violence at home and in the hope of making a living for himself. But while he finds real friendship, and a kind of freedom, he also finds children drugging themselves to sleep with iglue, more violence, and a simmering racial prejudice that makes even a gesture of kindness turn sour.
This powerful, moving book conveys complex shades of good and evil in a confidently described South Africa. The characters, with all their flaws, ring true, and will excite passionate discussion about the rights and wrongs of each decision.
This would be a brilliant book to read as a class to stimulate conversation and debate about injustice around the world. The ambiguous ending, in keeping with the rest of the book, is faithful to a situation that has no simple solution.
About the author
More books like this
-
Cinderella of the Nile
by Beverley Naidoo, illustrated by Marjan Vafaeian
4 to 9 years
-
The Other Side of Truth
by Beverley Naidoo
9 to 14 years
-
Alex Abbott is [Un]Dead
by Louise Austin, illustrated by Katie Kear
9 to 14 years
-
Dangerous Animals: Survival Guide
by Sam Hume
7 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
-
Books featuring homelessness
We have curated a list of books for mixed ages which explore themes of homelessness, offering readers a window into the lives of those who confront poverty and uncertainty every day yet who are all too often overlooked. These stories sensitively explore the complex situations that may lead to homelessness and shine a light on the extraordinary resilience, empathy and sense of community shown by those who find themselves in such challenging circumstances.