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Powerful, compassionate and ultimately hopeful. Observer
WINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2021 and the Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week - a trailblazing novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis.
The sea carries our pain. The stars carry our future.
Natalie's world is falling apart. She's just lost her mum and her brother marches the streets of Dover full of hate and anger. Swimming is her only refuge.
Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes on his journey is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future.
A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope. But is hope enough to mend a broken world?
'Skilful, involving and important, this deserves it's accolades' The Sunday Times
'Powerful, uplifting, hopeful' Guardian
About the author
Manjeet Mann is a multi-award-winning author, playwright, screenwriter, and actress. Her debut YA novel, Run Rebel, was shortlisted for the 2021 Carnegie Medal and won the CILIP Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award, the UKLA Award, the Diverse Book Award, and the Sheffield Children’s Book Award, as well as being named a Guardian Best Book of 2020. Her second novel, The Crossing, won the 2022 Costa Children’s Book Award, the UKLA Award, and was Overall Winner at the Sheffield Children’s Book Awards. It was also shortlisted for numerous other prizes, including the 2022 Carnegie Medal, Waterstones Children's Book Prize and YA Book Award. Manjeet writes picture books too, including Small’s Big Dream, which won the Readers’ Choice Award at the Diverse Book Awards. She adapted Run Rebel for the stage with Pilot Theatre, earning Best Production at the 2025 Off West End Stage Awards. Manjeet lives in Scotland.
Summary
Powerful, compassionate and ultimately hopeful. Observer
WINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2021 - a trailblazing novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis.
The sea carries our pain. The stars carry our future.
Natalie's world is falling apart. She's just lost her mum and her brother marches the streets of Dover full of hate and anger. Swimming is her only refuge.
Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes on his journey is a step into an unknown and unwelcoming future.
A twist of fate brings them together and gives them both hope. But is hope enough to mend a broken world?
