Naughts & Crosses

by Malorie Blackman

Book Overview

Callum is a naught, a second-class citizen in a society run by the ruling Crosses. Sephy is a Cross, and daughter of the man slated to become prime minister. In their world, white naughts and black Crosses simply don't mix -- and they certainly don't fall in love. But that's exactly what they've done. When they were younger, they played together. Now Callum and Sephy meet in secret and make excuses. But excuses no longer cut it when Sephy and her...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416900160
• ISBN13: 9781416900160
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

A magnificent thriller for teens and adults alike!

Naughts and Crosses is a wonderful, captivating book. It tells the tale of Sephy and Callum, two teenagers living on the opposite sides of life. Sephy is a black-skinned Cross, the reigning race at this particular time. Callum is a white-skinned Naught, the lowly servants of Crosses. They are considered to be worth nothing, just mindless slaves. See any resemblance to American history, except with the roles switched? Anyway, Callum and Sephy are good friends, but must hide their friendship from the rest of the world. Or maybe more then friends...*wink wink*. But the Naughts are sick with being looked down upon by Crosses, and they have their 'Liberation Militia' that fight against Crosses. This militia is getting stronger and stronger, and things aren't looking good. Of course, Callum and Sephy are caught in the middle of this. They must try to stay friends while racism is a part of life, and stay strong while the world as they know is falls apart. This book incorporates the use of political intrigue without it getting too boring, which is usually what happens with politics in young adult books. There's also romance, which is always good to have a bit of in teen books. Then of course there's action, mystery, and some good ol' courtroom drama! This is a good book for a teen (and possibly a very mature preteen) who is looking for a quality book that is actually good for the brain. Of course, an adult could enjoy this book as much as a teen could. I recommend this book greatly, and is not only a good book, but it teaches some quality lessons and uses parts of our own country's history to create a masterpiece.

Undescribable

This is by far the saddest book I've ever read. But that's why I liked it so much. I actually cried at the end. It's so weird, the way the lives of the naughts and crosses are. It's like a turn around in our history, a twist. But I must say it kept me very interested. I loved the way the characters changed toward the end, taking different paths through their years. In a way it kind of reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. This is a must read for anyone who takes pleasure in reading.

My Favorite Book EVER!!!

Naughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman is a fantastic book. In this book, the racial roles of our society is reversed. The whites aka naughts, work for the blacks aka crosses. Callum's mother used to work for Sephy's mother but that all changed when something happened(you'll have to read the book to find out what). With the alternating view points in every chapter you can really see into their personal lives and their inner thoughts. The book really has a lot of exciting plot twists. Their love for each other and what other people will do to ruin that will show you how shallow some people can be. What Callum does towards the end of the book will BLOW YOUR MIND!!!!!!!!!But you'll have to read it to find out.I encourage everyone to read this. I was so into this book I finished it in 1 day and it has almost 400 pages!! READ IT ASAP!

you must read this book!!!

when i first picked this book up, i almost put it back down. for some insane reason it didnt jump at me but i opened it anwyay, and i read it. from the first chapter onwards i was hooked. i loved the way you saw the story from both Sephy and Callum's point of view so you understood their actions and i loved the way they grew up through the book. i wanted to scream with frustration at the incredible injustices in the book and its scary to think that racism like that does exsist in this world. you definately need tissues handy. i dont think i have ever cried as much at a film or a book as i cried when i read noughts and crosses and as soon as i had finished it i had to go and tell everyone in my house about it and my friends. i've read it so many times now adn every time it still makes me cry. this is the best book i have ever read and everyone in the world should read it!! Malorie Blackman is a genius. the ending of the book was so sad and so beautiful it was incredible, i didnt close it even after i'd read the last page for a while, i was so moved by it.

Noughts and Crosses

'Noughts and Crosses' is a heartbreaking novel, upon the love and troubles of Callum and Sephy, their lives crushed by two different communities. Sephy who is a Cross (black), is the teenage daughter of a powerful Cross leader who rules both communities and is strongly against Noughts. Sephy works hard to protect their relationship, but soon learns the true meanings of difference, and how dangerous it is if they are found togethor. Callum, who is a few years older, is a Nought (white), and he lives with his poor family of violence and suffering. In his community, they are treated as if they are are not human, blamed and treated badly. They both struggle through their difficulties, but are shattered when a bomb explodes pulling them apart...I loved this novel because it was so emotion, you couldn't put the book down at any point of the story. Some of their problems they faced seemed to relate to real life, the racist world we are in now, of not only black and whites, but many other different communites. I also enjoyed the book because it explained different problems in different points of view and how they struggled to cope against the difficulties they had. I think this book is brilliant for anyone to read, it captures your attention and makes you think about the problems that you may face.