Author Alex Wheatle
First published 2017
Publisher Atom
Mackay is trying to keep out of trouble but one night he goes to help a girl and finds himself in the territory of a rival gang.
Story
Mackay lives on the South Crongton Estate. His mother is dead. His dad is always working and his brother is always in trouble. MacKay doesn’t want trouble but one night he tries to help a girl in need, strays into the territory of a rival gang and trouble finds him
Why we chose it
A great story for teenagers, authentic and hard hitting but at the same funny and warm hearted, with witty dialogue and a gripping, fast-paced plot.
Where it came from
Alex Wheatle created the Crongton estate and gave it a distinctive, invented dialogue so it wouldn’t date or feel unauthentic over time. It was inspired by his love of reggae which gave him a love of language.
Crongton Knights is the second book in a trilogy. The first Liccle Bit is the story of Mackay’s friend Lemar and was also nominated for the Carnegie medal. It was Wheatle’s first novel for young adults.
Where it went next
Crongton Knights won the Guardian’s Fiction Prize in 2016.
It became a stage play which premiered at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry in 2019.
Associated stories
The Crongton Knights trilogy starts with Liccle Bit and finishes with Straight Outta Crongton.
Author Alex Wheatle
First published 2017
Publisher Atom