Orange Boy by Patrice Lawrence

When you’re neck-deep in a mess you didn’t create. Marlon has always stayed the right side of the law, he tries hard in school, and he’s good to his mum. But his life is being ruined by a group who want payback for something his brother did. 

Out of nowhere, the hottest girl Marlon knows asks him on a date to the fair — it’s amazing, it’s perfect - and then suddenly, it’s terrifying and tragic. Now, Marlon is grieving, confused and scared, and he’s scared, not only for his life, but the lives of his mum and best friend. How far will he go to protect them?

“Not cool enough, not clever enough, not street enough for anyone to notice me. I was the kid people looked straight through.”

This YA thriller is for anyone struggling between what’s  #rightandwrong, or feeling confused and helpless in a situation they didn’t create. It has themes of #grief, #friendship, #family, #drugs, #gangs and it’s about finding inner strength for when you’re in a really tough spot. 

Video review here