Tia Fisher, author of the “highly recommended” (Paper Lantern Journal) Crossing the Line, has chosen Croydon Children’s Library to receive a £500 donation as part of her 2024 Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award.

Described as “a verse novel for our times” by Finbar Hawkins (Stone), Crossing the Line, is out now. Grab your copy here or, better, via your local bookshop or Bookshop.org.

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.

Follow Tia on Twitter @tiafisher_.