logo

61 pages 2 hours read

Malorie Blackman

Noughts And Crosses

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2001

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman follows the intertwined lives of Sephy Hadley, a Cross, and Callum McGregor, a nought, in a society structured around racial inequality, where Africans hold power over Europeans. As they navigate severe societal tensions, discrimination, and their evolving relationship, they confront personal and political struggles that shape their journeys toward adulthood. The reader should be aware that the text deals with sensitive topics like suicide, rape, bombings, and racial injustices.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Noughts And Crosses by Malorie Blackman is widely praised for its bold exploration of racism and systemic inequality through a compelling, alternate history narrative. Reviewers commend its strong character development and emotional depth. Criticisms include some didactic elements and occasional predictability. Overall, a thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Noughts And Crosses?

Readers who enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would find Noughts and Crosses compelling. Ideal for teens and young adults, it appeals to those interested in dystopian settings, social justice, and intricate, emotional narratives probing racial tensions and inequalities.

Book Details
Pages

479

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Alternative world • 21st century

Publication Year

2001

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.