Find a book
Donate

The Humiliations of Welton Blake

by Alex Wheatle

Interest age: 9 to 12
Reading age: 9+

Published by Barrington Stoke, 2020

  • Funny
  • Love and romance
  • Dyslexia

About this book

Welton Blake has finally plucked up the courage to ask Carmella, the most gorgeous girl in school, on a date - and miraculously, she's said yes! But no sooner has the best thing ever happened to him, everything else starts to go terribly wrong. From a broken phone that his mum can’t replace, to dealing with bullies, a girl ready to beat him up and a dad making a total fool of himself trying (and failing) to get back with his mum - things just get worse and worse. Welton will have to use all his wits to stop things going totally to pot.

This book is laugh out loud funny with perfect comic timing - masterfully written by Alex Wheatle, it manages to combine hilarious slapstick with a moving story about the trials of navigating teen life. Barrington Stoke’s dyslexic friendly font makes this book suitable for young teens who may not have previously been attracted to reading a whole book for pleasure. Great for readers who might have loved Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates, and hopefully a gateway to Alex Wheatle’s brilliant Crongton series. 

About the author

Born in 1963 to Jamaican parents, Wheatle grew up in Brixton, South London. At 16 he was a founder member of the Crucial Rocker sound system; his DJ name was Yardman Irie. He wrote lyrics about everyday Brixton life. By 1980 Wheatle was living in a social services hostel in Brixton, South London, and he participated in the 1981 Brixton riots and aftermath. While serving his resulting sentence he read authors such as Chester Himes, Richard Wright, C. L. R. James and John Steinbeck. He claims that a Rastafarian was his cellmate, and he was the one who encouraged Wheatle to start reading books and care about his education.

He received the London Arts Board New Writers Award in 1999 for his debut novel Brixton Rock, which was later adapted for the stage and performed at the Young Vic in July 2010. Wheatle turned to writing for teenagers in 2015 with Liccle Bit the first of his South Crongton series of books.

Watch our interview with Alex Wheatle

Win a set of signed books by Alex Wheatle

More books like this

Explore our Bookfinder

Lists of recommended reads

  • Dyslexia-friendly books for teens

    This list aims to provide a range of books that may appeal to children of 12+ with reading difficulties. The list includes books that are particularly dyslexia-friendly and/​or have a high interest level and low reading age.

  • Books for a high interest age, low reading ability (high low), for 10+

    Children can have a different reading ability to their interest age for a variety of reasons, such as dyslexia or having English as an additional language (EAL). Here is a selection of fiction that will grip the reader, and that has simpler syntax and/or an accessible layout.

Discover more booklists
Share this page Twitter Facebook LinkedIn