The Ministry of Manners
David Solomons
Illustrated by Hazem Asif
Ages 9 to 12
Paperback
Buy the book
07 May 2026
Imprint: Piccadilly Press
Synopsis
EXCLUSIVE NEON-YELLOW SPRAYED EDGE - LIMITED FIRST EDITION AVAILABLE!
A BOLD NEW MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DAVID SOLOMONS EXPLORING WHAT'S LOST IN KEEPING QUIET AND WHAT'S FOUND IN FIGHTING BACK.
'It's lucky that George Orwell isn't around, because he'd be FURIOUS that David Solomons just knocked him off the dystopian top spot with 1984 v2.0. An extremely clever, timely and compelling book' - ADAM KAY, multi-award-winning author
'A clever and compelling novel' - THE TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK
Be quiet. Be polite. Or be silenced.
Alfie and Margot Hawthorne have grown up under the Ministry of Manners, where politeness isn't a choice - it's the law. And one wrong word can change your life. He knows how to stay out of trouble, but she has never been one for quiet obedience.
When the Ministry takes Margot, everything changes. Inside the Manners Retreat, she fights to stay herself in a place built to erase her. Meanwhile, Alfie falls in with the Unsilenced - those who still dare to speak. But the Ministry has plans of its own. And if they succeed, rebellion won't just be punished. It'll be impossible.
A BOLD NEW MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DAVID SOLOMONS EXPLORING WHAT'S LOST IN KEEPING QUIET AND WHAT'S FOUND IN FIGHTING BACK.
'It's lucky that George Orwell isn't around, because he'd be FURIOUS that David Solomons just knocked him off the dystopian top spot with 1984 v2.0. An extremely clever, timely and compelling book' - ADAM KAY, multi-award-winning author
'A clever and compelling novel' - THE TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK
Be quiet. Be polite. Or be silenced.
Alfie and Margot Hawthorne have grown up under the Ministry of Manners, where politeness isn't a choice - it's the law. And one wrong word can change your life. He knows how to stay out of trouble, but she has never been one for quiet obedience.
When the Ministry takes Margot, everything changes. Inside the Manners Retreat, she fights to stay herself in a place built to erase her. Meanwhile, Alfie falls in with the Unsilenced - those who still dare to speak. But the Ministry has plans of its own. And if they succeed, rebellion won't just be punished. It'll be impossible.
Details
07 May 2026
272 pages
9781835873175
Imprint: Piccadilly Press
Reviews
“A really interesting introduction to all the themes that we know and are familiar with from George Orwell's work.”Lucy Bannerman, The Times Radio
“A pertinent dystopia about living under an authoritarian regime and having the courage to speak out.”Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller
“This compelling, thought-provoking dystopian novel will prompt 8+ readers to consider the possible costs of acquiescence and collusion.”The Guardian, The Guardian
“Well written. . . Confident young readers will find lots to like in this dystopia. . . A clever and compelling novel.”The Times, The Times
