Tia Fisher‘s “brilliant” (Brian Patten) debut verse novel, Crossing the Line, has received a five-star review from Books for Keeps.

In the review, which you can read in full here, Val Randall writes:

“Fisher researched the issue of county lines thoroughly and her book pulls no punches in both educating and warning, helping to raise the profile of this callous exploitation of children… Perhaps most powerfully of all, there is a reminder that this is a true story and one which we should, as a society, do all we can to prevent happening.”

Erik’s life has been falling apart ever since his dad died. Homework and being good at school stop feeling important when you’re the new man of the house. When Erik’s bad behaviour attracts the wrong crowd, he’s sucked into a terrifying new world of drug dealing, trap houses and violence.

Making money feels good but Erik soon learns that a small favour can become a huge debt.

And when his sisters’ lives are threatened, Erik will have to cross one more line to save them.

Crossing the Line is out now. Grab your copy here or, better, via your local bookshop or Bookshop.org.

Follow Tia on Twitter @tiafisher_.