The Overflowing Library

Across the Religious (or non-religious) divide   There are too many unnecessary divisions in our country, and some are unnecessarily based around religion and made worse by prejudice, lack of education and fear stirred up by deliberate misinformation and smears.   In Across the Divide there is a scene where Aidan’s opposition to school cadets leads him to be called a terrorist sympathiser, and this further expands and leads to a racist incident. I was very sad to read this report by the Muslim Council of Great Britain: https://www.mcb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/20150803-Case-studies-about-Prevent.pdf There were lots of points made, and I recommend reading the whole report, but I want to focus on a misunderstanding with a child which caused the Muslim Council of Great Britain great concern. They cited the example of a two-year-old child in East London who has a diagnosed learning disability, sang an Islamic song and said "Allahu Akbar"

Described as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time meets John le Carre, about a teen math prodigy with an extreme anxiety disorder who finds himself caught in a web of lies and conspiracies after an assassination attempt on his mother. I cannot write a long review for this book. Not because it isn't good, it really is, but because it'd be so easy for me to spoil something if I did. White Rabbit, Red Wolf follows the story of a teen with issues. He has an extreme anxiety disorder, but the story is not about those issues and rather focuses on shocking events that unfold while he attends an event where his mother is due to give a speech about her work. The story is intense and told at break neck pace which means it is one of those books you don't want to put down.  The John Le Carre comparisons are totally fair if Le Carre was fortunate enough to be able to write YA fiction this good. I loved it and will be recommending it far and wide.

Another month, another pile of books I'm desperate to get my hands on Don't stop thinking about tomorrow by Siobhan Curham Fourteen-year-old Stevie lives in Lewes with her beloved vinyl collection, her mum ... and her mum's depression. When Stevie's mum's disability benefits are cut, Stevie and her mother are plunged into a life of poverty. But irrepressible Stevie is determined not to be beaten and she takes inspiration from the lyrics of her father's 1980s record collection and dreams of a life as a musician. Then she meets Hafiz, a talented footballer and a Syrian refugee. Hafiz's parents gave their life savings to buy Hafiz a safe passage to Europe; his journey has been anything but easy. Then he meets Stevie... As Stevie and Hafiz's friendship grows, they encourage each other to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.   I love Siobhan's books and this looks ace.  Peril in Paris by Katherine Woodfine ALL ABOARD T