Quotes
Praise for King of Nothing:
Winner of the 2025 Carnegie Shadowers' Choice Medal for Writing
Winner of the 2025 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers
Shortlisted for the 2025 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing
"It’s so funny, and so deep. If there was ever a book to get teenage boys (and girls actually) reading, and loving reading, it’s this one. It’s fall down on the floor funny and the dialogue is pitch perfect.”—Booktrust
* "This highly entertaining coming-of-age novel won awards when it was originally published in the U.K. in 2024, and its humor, universal themes, and diverse, well-rounded characters will appeal to American readers. Anton’s hilarious and disarming voice makes the explorations of masculinity, image, and emotional vulnerability accessible and engaging. An accomplished mixture of wit, poignancy, and adolescent insight with an appealing cast of characters.”—Kirkus, starred review
"Already shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing, Lessore’s follow-up to Dropping Beats (2025) hits that younger YA sweet spot and packs a punch…. Tackling toxic masculinity head-on, this hilariously written book explores one boy’s battle between his imprisoned father’s legacy and being the man his mom and grandma know him to be."—Booklist
"As he navigates sometimes heavy experiences informed by the pressure of toxic masculinity, Anton’s charismatic and comedic first-person narration details his reluctant friendship with Matthew, whose open vulnerability and willingness to connect with others models for Anton a previously unknown example of moving through the world.”—Publishers Weekly
Praise for Dropping Beats:
Winner of the 2024 Branford Boase Award
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal
Shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize
"Funny, bursting with heart, goofy, wise, and did I mention– wildly wonderfully funny." —Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Young People's Literature and Founder of Guys Read
* “Growls’s lyrics and clever wordplay are woven throughout.… Famous or not, the star of the story shines in this must-have for all YA collections.” —SLJ, starred review
* “Growls’s lyrics and clever wordplay are woven throughout… Famous or not, the star of the story shines in this must-have for all YA collections.”—SLJ, starred review
“This romp is carried by both Lessore’s knack for situational comedy and ability to create a narrative voice for Shaun that uniquely mixes braggadocio, cluelessness, and an honest desire to do good. The inclusion of class consciousness and mental health…deepen the story, making Shaun’s plight all the more relatable and hilarious.”—Booklist