If My Words Had Wings, Danielle Jawando
If My Words Had Wings, Danielle Jawando
List: $23.99 | Sale: $16.79
Club: $11.99

If My Words Had Wings

Author: Danielle Jawando

Narrator: Kenton Thomas

Abridged: 8 hr 24 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/09/2024

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

A life affirming story of rehabilitation and hope after prison. The third novel from multi-award-winning Danielle Jawando, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Elizabeth Acevedo.
 
‘Jawando’s writing is incredibly raw and real; I felt completely immersed’ Alice Oseman, author of the Heartstopper series
 
When fifteen-year-old Tyrell Forrester gets caught up in a high-profile armed robbery, he's sentenced to eighteen months in a young offenders’ prison. Now he’s getting out, and he’s determined to turn his life around. Despite his release, systemic discrimination makes it difficult for Ty to truly be free. Inspired by a visiting poet while inside, Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice. But will society ever see him as anything other than a criminal?

Praise for And the Stars Were Burning Brightly:

'An outstanding and compassionate debut' Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy

'One of the brightest up and coming stars of the YA world' Alex Wheatle, author of Crongton Knights

‘An utter page turner from a storming new talent. Passionate, committed and shines a ray of light into the darkest places - the YA novel of 2020!’ Melvin Burgess, author of Junk

Praise for When Our Worlds Collided:
 
'A raw, unflinching and powerful story that will stay with me for a long time’ Manjeet Mann, author of The Crossing
 
‘A beautiful ode to found family, and a compassionate look at the power of connection borne from the ashes of tragedy and apathy’ Christina Hammonds Reed, author of The Black Kids
 
‘Hard-hitting yet still hopeful, this is an emotional powerhouse of a book’ Alexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods

Warning - this novel contains themes that some readers may find upsetting, including suicide and self harm.

About Danielle Jawando

Danielle Jawando is an author and screenwriter. Her debut YA novel, And the Stars Were Burning Brightly, won best senior novel in the Great Reads Award, and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, the Jhalak Children’s & YA Prize, the Branford Boase Award, and was longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the UKLA Book Awards and the Amazing Book Awards. Her previous publications include the non-fiction children’s book Maya Angelou (Little Guides to Great Lives), the short stories Paradise 703 (longlisted for the Finishing Line Press Award) and The Deerstalker (selected as one of six finalists for the We Need Diverse Books short story competition), as well as several short plays performed in Manchester and London. Danielle has also worked on Coronation Street as a storyline writer. Her second novel, When Our Worlds Collided, won the 2023 Jhalak Children’s and YA Prize and the 2023 YA Book Prize.


Reviews

Goodreads review by rina dunn on April 28, 2024

This was my first read by Danielle Jawando, and it definitely won't be the last because, wow, is this book impactful! When 15 year old Tyrell gets caught up with the wrong crowd and finds himself involved in an armed robbery, he is convicted and sent to a juvenile prison. He soon learns that in orde......more

Goodreads review by Lauren on April 21, 2024

If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando I want to say the biggest most heartiest thank you to Danielle for trusting me with her baby and letting me be the first reviewer/blogger to read Wings 🪽 I am truly truly privileged and honoured 🥰💕 This book 💛 this book is so very aptly named. It made my hear......more

Goodreads review by Bryanna on April 26, 2024

My heart breaks, and my blood boils. This book follows Ty as he struggles to survive prison and life after release. However, as we quickly learn from the experiences of those who have been incarcerated, it isn't as simple as keeping your head down and making good choices. In fact, the whole system s......more

Goodreads review by George on April 10, 2025

This books deals with some really important issues, but doesn't end up really being about poetry or rehabilitation in a massively meaningful way. The ending happens really fast, and although there are moments of excellence the writing at times can feel repetitive, like its just cataloguing trauma ra......more

Goodreads review by readingwithjaney on October 13, 2024

Loved loved loved this book! Thank you so much Lauren for recommending it. I really enjoyed hearing Tyrell’s perspective and the story is just so important. It also features some beautiful poetry. Check trigger warnings and then run don’t walk to read this!......more