Against All Odds
Age 11 +
Paperback
Pre-order now
12 February 2026Imprint: Hot Key Books
Synopsis
A HILARIOUS WORLD BOOK DAY COMEDY FOR TEEN READERS FROM THE MULTI-AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF STEADY FOR THIS AND KING OF NOTHING!
Noranto knows who he is. Or at least, he thinks he does.
Footballer. Hustler. One of the boys. He's got the playground game on lock and big plans for his mum's surprise birthday party this weekend. But poetry? That's just something he does quietly - in his head, on the bus, between goals.
Until his teacher spots his talent and encourages him to enter a creative writing competition. Noranto laughs it off. No chance: the deadline's in three days and he's already got way too much going on. His mates agree and tell him to stick to what he knows. Poetry doesn't win matches.
But the rhymes won't stop coming. And a little voice inside him keeps asking: What if this is his shot? What if he could do it all?
As the weekend unfolds and obstacles are thrown in his way, Noranto finds himself stuck between what's expected of him and who he really wants to be. Can he find the words in time - and the courage to share them - against all the odds?
A funny and authentic story about the joys and challenges of dreaming big and showing the world you don't have to fit into just one box.
PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS:
WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024
"Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy." - Guardian
"Funny, original and heart-warming." - The Times
"An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust
PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING:
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE SHADOWERS' CHOICE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025
WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
"Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian
"Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers . . . an immensely readable book." - The Observer
"This teen comedy really is very funny, while also being meaningful and heartwarming." - iPaper
PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE:
"Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now." - The Times
"The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable." - The Observer
"Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt, this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel from the Branford Boase-winning Lessore." - Guardian
Noranto knows who he is. Or at least, he thinks he does.
Footballer. Hustler. One of the boys. He's got the playground game on lock and big plans for his mum's surprise birthday party this weekend. But poetry? That's just something he does quietly - in his head, on the bus, between goals.
Until his teacher spots his talent and encourages him to enter a creative writing competition. Noranto laughs it off. No chance: the deadline's in three days and he's already got way too much going on. His mates agree and tell him to stick to what he knows. Poetry doesn't win matches.
But the rhymes won't stop coming. And a little voice inside him keeps asking: What if this is his shot? What if he could do it all?
As the weekend unfolds and obstacles are thrown in his way, Noranto finds himself stuck between what's expected of him and who he really wants to be. Can he find the words in time - and the courage to share them - against all the odds?
A funny and authentic story about the joys and challenges of dreaming big and showing the world you don't have to fit into just one box.
PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS:
WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024
WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024
"Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy." - Guardian
"Funny, original and heart-warming." - The Times
"An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust
PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING:
WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE SHADOWERS' CHOICE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025
WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2025
SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024
"Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian
"Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers . . . an immensely readable book." - The Observer
"This teen comedy really is very funny, while also being meaningful and heartwarming." - iPaper
PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE:
"Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now." - The Times
"The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable." - The Observer
"Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt, this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel from the Branford Boase-winning Lessore." - Guardian
Details
12 February 2026
9781471420009Imprint: Hot Key Books
