King of Nothing

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A01=Nathanael Lessore
acceptance
adolescence
Age Group_Ages 12+
Age Group_Ages 12+
Author_Nathanael Lessore
automatic-update
boys to men
bullying
camping
Category1=Kids
Category=YFM
Category=YFMF
comedy
COP=United Kingdom
crushes
Delivery_Delivery within 10-20 working days
empowering
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_teenage-young-adult
family
feel good
first love
flirting
football
friendship
grief
grime
growing up
humour
Language_English
lol
male friendship
music
PA=Available
Price_€10 to €20
PS=Active
race
resilience
school
scouts
short reads
social media
softlaunch
south-east london
teen books
teenager
toxic masculinity
uplifting
working class
ya
young adult
young men

Product details

  • ISBN 9781471413247
  • Weight: 218g
  • Dimensions: 129 x 196mm
  • Publication Date: 11 Apr 2024
  • Publisher: Hot Key Books
  • Publication City/Country: GB
  • Product Form: Paperback
  • Language: English
  • Age Group: Ages 12+
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WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025
WINNER OF THE SHADOWERS' CHOICE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025
WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024


"Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian

ANTON AND HIS FRIENDS ARE THE KINGS OF YEAR 9.

They're used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he's about but that's the way he wants it - he's got a reputation to live up to after all.

So when he gets into serious trouble at school, he doesn't really care, but his mum most definitely does. She decides it's time for Anton to make some new friends and join the Happy Campers, a local activity group. Anton would quite literally rather do anything else, especially when he finds out Matthew, the biggest loser in school, is also a member.

But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton's life, Anton figures maybe this kid is worth a shot. Teaching him some game is the least Anton can do to repay the debt.

As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was important. Does he want ruling the school to be his crowning glory or should he set his sights on better things?

Perfect for teen readers of Alex Wheatle, Jason Reynolds and Patrice Lawrence.

PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS:

WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024

"Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy." - Guardian

"Funny, original and heart-warming." - The Times

"An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust

PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING:

"Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers . . . an immensely readable book." - The Observer

"This teen comedy really is very funny, while also being meaningful and heartwarming." - iPaper

PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE:
NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2026
SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARDS 2025

"Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now." - The Times

"The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable." - The Observer

"Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt, this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel from the Branford Boase-winning Lessore." - Guardian

PRAISE FOR LIKE A BROTHER:

SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2026
THE TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK

'Few capture the wisecracking energy of teenagers, quite like Lessore. Everything in this charming, sensitive novel about masculinity is played for laughs . . . A fresh and funny read' - The Times

'Lessore uses humour to shed light on issues including homophobia and masculinity, and is brilliant on the messy, unpredictable business of being a teenager' - The Observer

Nathanael Lessore is a multi-award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author. He was born in Camberwell, London, as one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents. Although he has spent most of his life in Peckham, Nathanael has also lived in Paris, Strasbourg and Singapore. His debut book Steady For This was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 and won the Branford Boase Award 2024. His second book King of Nothing won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers 2025, the Carnegie Shadowers' Choice Medal for Writing 2025 and the Jhalak Children's & Young Adult Prize 2025. He is also the author of What Happens Online, which was shortlisted for the Books Are My Bag Awards 2025, the bestselling Against All Odds, a World Book Day 2026 selection and Like A Brother. He writes stories that show his South East London childhood as the funny, warm, adventurous world that wasn't always represented as such.

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