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Noughts & Crosses
Callum is a nought - a second-class citizen in a world run by the ruling Crosses...
Sephy is a Cross, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country...
In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together?
They are determined to try.
And the the bomb explodes...
A gripping, stimulating and totally absorbing novel set in a world where black and white are right and wrong.
This special edition includes 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE', a stunning novella that continues the tale.
Sephy is a Cross, daughter of one of the most powerful men in the country...
In their world, noughts and Crosses simply don't mix. And as hostility turns to violence, can Callum and Sephy possibly find a way to be together?
They are determined to try.
And the the bomb explodes...
A gripping, stimulating and totally absorbing novel set in a world where black and white are right and wrong.
This special edition includes 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE', a stunning novella that continues the tale.
- GenresYoung Adult
479 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2006
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Malorie Blackman
156 books4,524 followersAn award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.
More information available at:
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British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 30, 2014
I have heard great things about this book for years, but I haven't had any inclination to pick it up until now. I am really glad I did, it seems like one of those books you just have to read growing up.
It tells of childhood best friends Callum and Sephy as Callum moves to Sephy's school and the social difficulties that come after, for years. Callum is a Nought, a white person in a world run by black Crosses. Which means that transferring to a Cross school has a whole set of problems for Callum, made somewhat worse by Sephy's naivety. I know she was just trying to help but just by sitting with them at lunch, she made things worse for Callum and for herself. It was actually quite difficult to read at times, the unfairness and the injustice of the world unfortunately hasn't changed much. Although it was rather extreme; I imagine this is what it was like during the 60's, the outright racism that comes out of people.
They both grew a lot throughout the book and luckily, Sephy stopped being such a whiny brat and became quite a smart and tough young woman. They sort of drifted apart through bad luck but never forgot how they had changed each other. They also saw the world through each other's eyes, despite Callum's insistence that Sephy was spoilt and her privileged upbringing meant she couldn't possibly understand how it really was. And while that was true when they were young but Sephy grew up and took off her rose-tinted glasses and still insisted that there was a way to make the world better for both colours.
In a way, Sephy was completely idealistic and sometimes that annoyed me but mostly it was such a pure way of thinking that I couldn't help but support and feel for her. As for Callum, he takes a rather dark direction that again, I could sort of understand but knew it wasn't going to end well. Speaking of endings, I could guess what was going to happen but it didn't make it any easier to read. The whole situation was completely unfair and there was no way that the whole social system was going to change in a few years but with both of their actions, small steps were taken in the right direction and that's the best we can hope for sometimes.
It tells of childhood best friends Callum and Sephy as Callum moves to Sephy's school and the social difficulties that come after, for years. Callum is a Nought, a white person in a world run by black Crosses. Which means that transferring to a Cross school has a whole set of problems for Callum, made somewhat worse by Sephy's naivety. I know she was just trying to help but just by sitting with them at lunch, she made things worse for Callum and for herself. It was actually quite difficult to read at times, the unfairness and the injustice of the world unfortunately hasn't changed much. Although it was rather extreme; I imagine this is what it was like during the 60's, the outright racism that comes out of people.
They both grew a lot throughout the book and luckily, Sephy stopped being such a whiny brat and became quite a smart and tough young woman. They sort of drifted apart through bad luck but never forgot how they had changed each other. They also saw the world through each other's eyes, despite Callum's insistence that Sephy was spoilt and her privileged upbringing meant she couldn't possibly understand how it really was. And while that was true when they were young but Sephy grew up and took off her rose-tinted glasses and still insisted that there was a way to make the world better for both colours.
In a way, Sephy was completely idealistic and sometimes that annoyed me but mostly it was such a pure way of thinking that I couldn't help but support and feel for her. As for Callum, he takes a rather dark direction that again, I could sort of understand but knew it wasn't going to end well. Speaking of endings, I could guess what was going to happen but it didn't make it any easier to read. The whole situation was completely unfair and there was no way that the whole social system was going to change in a few years but with both of their actions, small steps were taken in the right direction and that's the best we can hope for sometimes.
March 12, 2015
This book was first introduced to me during the early year of high school, but we never finished it, but luckily I remembered what page we finished on (all those years ago) and finally completed it!
I am glad to have read this book, I enjoyed it and it showed a lot of interesting and good points that I think majority of people should pay attention to in life.
This book is very good, I would recommend it to young adults and adults! Very impressed!
I am glad to have read this book, I enjoyed it and it showed a lot of interesting and good points that I think majority of people should pay attention to in life.
This book is very good, I would recommend it to young adults and adults! Very impressed!
February 7, 2013
This is a very strong book with vivid characters and gripping plot! This is an incredibly powerful book with the extra edition of An Eye for an Eye which only adds to the thrill of the book!!! AMAZING!
Elena (aged 11)
Elena (aged 11)
March 2, 2015
I bought this book, having no expectations apart from going by the review of my friend who told me to read it. It took me a while to get into but I found the book more and more intriguing, until I began to read it in lessons and school lunchtime and almost every opportunity I got.
November 2, 2012
My all time favourite book!
January 19, 2013
I've always thought this book was brilliant! Still love it despite how sad it is.
September 15, 2015
Good premise, but the romance was a bit sappy for my taste. Hopefully the sequels will be less so.
February 6, 2014
I wasn't sure whether to mark it as read or not because I didn't like it enough to finish it but I read most of it.
March 28, 2014
'How many individuals does it take before it's not the individuals who are prejudice but society itself?'
WOW I AM SPEECHLESS
WOW I AM SPEECHLESS
June 22, 2014
I'm not even sure how I feel about this book yet.
Review to come if I could ever make up my mind.
Review to come if I could ever make up my mind.
November 19, 2014
h 19.8
w 12.8
d 3
bought new, gift?
w 12.8
d 3
bought new, gift?
March 6, 2015
One of my favourite books of all time, love the character development and the love interest between Sephy and Callum
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews