The soaring debut YA verse-novel by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Manjeet Mann, and Dean Atta.

Pen in one hand, on my wrist, a ticking clock
I've got to make this work, just need a little luck...

When fourteen-year-old Ronny’s life is struck by tragedy, his mum decides it’s finally time they move out of London.

In his new city, as a Black teenager in a mostly white school, Ronny feels like a complete outsider and struggles to balance keeping his head down with his ambition of becoming a rapper.

But when a local poet comes into class, Ronny discovers a world he’s never considered before. Rap is like spoken word, bars equal poetry – and maybe the combination of both could be the key to achieving his dreams?

Praise for Wild East:

This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction – Waterstones.com

A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth - Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer

An amazing tale of self-reflection, acceptance, and achieving your greatest aspirations - screenrant.com

Welcomes all types of readers...Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece - DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't Cry

"A powerful story of resilience, friendship, discovery and growth...Ashley has that rare ability to draw you in quietly and leave you feeling totally invested. I’m certain that if I had this when I was younger it would have changed my life, genuinely" - Jeffrey Boakye, author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer

"I loved the way you name checked other writers and the power of their words...Most of all, I loved Ronny. I loved Ronny's kindness, vulnerability, empathy, tenacity and open-heartedness" - Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy

"For reluctant readers in need of a gentle route towards poetry...heartfelt and up-to-the-minute...A reminder that even short lines can take you a long way" - The Sunday Times

"A book meant to be heard...It's the fresh, "spoken word" style that makes Ronny's story special" - The Times

"This empowering verse novel announces the arrival of an exciting new talent in YA fiction" - Waterstones.com

"Loved this book. Raw, moving, and so accessible. A powerful spoken-word style verse novel" - Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How To Be Extraordinary

"A cocktail of prose, poetry and creative writing that welcomes all types of readers...Hickson-Lovence has crafted a superb piece" - DD Armstrong, author of Ugly Dogs Don't Cry

"Compelling coming-of-age story inspired by the author’s own experiences" - The Bookseller

"An astonishing and emotional story...an amazing tale of self-reflection, acceptance, and achieving your greatest aspirations" - screenrant.com

"A positive, uplifting tale that will inspire future word-smiths and those who dare to dream of better things to come" - schoolreadinglist.co.uk

"A brilliant verse novel for fans of Jason Reynolds" - mrbsemporium.com

"This book is really a love letter to words and writing, designed to help young people find their own voices as they watch Ronny embrace his" - Nikki Gamble, Just Imagine

"A love letter to poetry and rap lyrics. Celebrating diversity and identity, its verses are influenced by the creativity of Dean Atta, Manjeet Mann and South African writer Katherine Kilalea. Hickson-Lovence uses his personal experiences as the backbone of his narrative… Wild East empowers young adults to discover their own voices and to enjoy their creative abilities" - Books for Keeps

"If you've never tried a verse novel, this could be one for you as it cleverly links rap, slam poetry and verse together...an ideal read for short attention spans or anyone who loves a fast read." - Children's Books Ireland