Noughts and Crosses

Callum and Sephy have grown up together as friends despite the fact that Sephy is a Cross, one of the ruling classes and Callum is a Nought, son of Stephy's nanny. Callum's mother dreams that through this new generation, change and equality can begin to happen without the violence promoted by the Liberation Front. Then Callum's mother is sacked and the two children have to learn to grow up in a world divided into black and white, right and wrong and governed by hate. They struggle to keep their belief in each other alive, meeting secretly and trying to make a stand for each other despite the fury of their respective families. Callum's family, in particular, is hit by devastating tragedy and that, combined with the overwhelming tide of prejudice and suspicion which surround them and almost poison them against each other, force Sephy and Callum apart. Callum plunges ever deeper into the soul-destroying world of terrorism and Sephy lives a privileged lifestyle, enjoying all the advantages of her class and wealth whilst trying not to lose sight of her deep-rooted belief in justice and equality. When they finally meet again it is to realise with horrifying clarity how far away from each other they have grown, and what the cost of love is inevitably going to be. This is a deeply involving read, recommended for mature teenagers and adults. The issue of racism it raises are never simplified though they are delivered with a resounding punch announcing the 'message'. The novel could have been a little tighter; it began to drift in the last third as tragedy piled upon tragedy but it was truely thought provoking and in Callum and Sephy, Blackman has created memorable heroes. (Kirkus UK)