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Snap: World Book Day 2019
From the award-winning author of Orangeboy and Indigo Donut, a new short story written especially for World Book Day 2019.
When Soraya's younger brother Farhad runs off into the freezing night, Soraya and her friend, Austin, are in a race against time to find him. High above the streets, Farhad's guilt closes in. He doesn't want to be found.
A story of two friends, one missing boy and a secret as precious as gold.
When Soraya's younger brother Farhad runs off into the freezing night, Soraya and her friend, Austin, are in a race against time to find him. High above the streets, Farhad's guilt closes in. He doesn't want to be found.
A story of two friends, one missing boy and a secret as precious as gold.
- GenresYoung AdultContemporary
128 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2019
6 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Lawrence
30 books152 followersPatrice Lawrence is a British writer and journalist, who has published fiction both for adults and children. Her writing has won awards including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Children and The Bookseller YA Book Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 27, 2025
5.3/10
Snap by prize-winning author Patrice Lawrence is a world book day book, meaning it is going to be a short story. Infact, the whole plot of the book could have probably have been roughly described in about 9 or 10 pages. The three stars for this book comes from the writing and the emotion you can feel throughout it. The story is barely even a story, it follows a girl called Soraya and her brother Farhan, who unexpectedly leaves after a funeral of their uncle. Most of the book goes into detail about the struggles of the family and a lot of real-life issues, their uncle Jimi-Luke being involved in street activities. Most of the emotion from this book comes from it’s realness, the fact that what happened in this book happens to so many people and families in urban areas like london. It also delves into their dad a lot, who is also shown to struggle, and empathy can be built up for these people.
The writing is somewhat hard to judge because it is very captivating and also very easy to read however it is also somewhat uninspiring aswell. Of course, this book is not in need of any kind of Shakespearian language- but it could have benefited from some more detailed writing. Also, a lot of the sentimental thoughts and feelings from both siblings seemed to be repeated over and over in different ways. The narrative kept switching from chapter to chapter- which I think is a great idea, especially for a world book day book like this- but nothing really happened in them. This was a consistent theme, and one the the key factors for the book, being more about the characters and feelings of the characters, but with about 6 chapters of barely anything happening, it starts to bore you. The ending also felt incomplete, like the book as a whole. It almost felt like an opening to a much longer book- like an opening chapter instead of a standalone story. Overall, I think Patrice Lawrence is a great writer who packs a punch with real-life context in her books, but this one’s restrictions held it back too far for it to be considered a great book, however a very enjoyable and interesting, as well as captivating, read, especially for a young person.
Snap by prize-winning author Patrice Lawrence is a world book day book, meaning it is going to be a short story. Infact, the whole plot of the book could have probably have been roughly described in about 9 or 10 pages. The three stars for this book comes from the writing and the emotion you can feel throughout it. The story is barely even a story, it follows a girl called Soraya and her brother Farhan, who unexpectedly leaves after a funeral of their uncle. Most of the book goes into detail about the struggles of the family and a lot of real-life issues, their uncle Jimi-Luke being involved in street activities. Most of the emotion from this book comes from it’s realness, the fact that what happened in this book happens to so many people and families in urban areas like london. It also delves into their dad a lot, who is also shown to struggle, and empathy can be built up for these people.
The writing is somewhat hard to judge because it is very captivating and also very easy to read however it is also somewhat uninspiring aswell. Of course, this book is not in need of any kind of Shakespearian language- but it could have benefited from some more detailed writing. Also, a lot of the sentimental thoughts and feelings from both siblings seemed to be repeated over and over in different ways. The narrative kept switching from chapter to chapter- which I think is a great idea, especially for a world book day book like this- but nothing really happened in them. This was a consistent theme, and one the the key factors for the book, being more about the characters and feelings of the characters, but with about 6 chapters of barely anything happening, it starts to bore you. The ending also felt incomplete, like the book as a whole. It almost felt like an opening to a much longer book- like an opening chapter instead of a standalone story. Overall, I think Patrice Lawrence is a great writer who packs a punch with real-life context in her books, but this one’s restrictions held it back too far for it to be considered a great book, however a very enjoyable and interesting, as well as captivating, read, especially for a young person.
May 28, 2020
3.5 stars!
I'm new to Patrice's writing, so reading Snap was the perfect one to start of with. A short story that tackles some big topics of death and grief and how to come to terms with losing a loved one and struggling to find your place in the world. Set in London, a young girl realises that her younger brother has gone missing from the family home and has no idea that he has taken the traumatic event very badly that happened to them. She and a friend have to find him before the Dad gets back from travels. I would have liked the length to be a little longer, however, I did enjoy the writing style!
I'm new to Patrice's writing, so reading Snap was the perfect one to start of with. A short story that tackles some big topics of death and grief and how to come to terms with losing a loved one and struggling to find your place in the world. Set in London, a young girl realises that her younger brother has gone missing from the family home and has no idea that he has taken the traumatic event very badly that happened to them. She and a friend have to find him before the Dad gets back from travels. I would have liked the length to be a little longer, however, I did enjoy the writing style!
March 16, 2019
I enjoyed the plot of snap and the message it was giving us about how hard it can be growing up for kids in London at the moment and similar places, where violence among youth is ever present in the current times and how grief is handled differently. It was deeper than I was expecting from the synopsis and I loved the connect Soraya had with her brother Farhad.
I liked that the central characters when black, brown and Muslim as I haven't read many books following the perspective of ethnic "minorities", but I feel this sense of underwhelming disappointment that I wasn't able to connect with the characters and story as much as I feel I should have and would have like too.
I liked the Marvel references but it got a bit too much, especially in such a small book.
The ending was abrupt and I'm left wondering what happened, although I can give a guess it still feels too open ended for me.
I think I'd be interested in trying out Patrice Lawrence's other, longer works and hopefully will be able to connect more with her characters, given more time.
A good world book day book, that has introduced me to an author I hadn't heard of before.
There's an excerpt for a book called Colour me in by Lydia Ruffles that I'm mildly interested in. Something I may read from the library if I see and recognise it!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I liked that the central characters when black, brown and Muslim as I haven't read many books following the perspective of ethnic "minorities", but I feel this sense of underwhelming disappointment that I wasn't able to connect with the characters and story as much as I feel I should have and would have like too.
I liked the Marvel references but it got a bit too much, especially in such a small book.
The ending was abrupt and I'm left wondering what happened, although I can give a guess it still feels too open ended for me.
I think I'd be interested in trying out Patrice Lawrence's other, longer works and hopefully will be able to connect more with her characters, given more time.
A good world book day book, that has introduced me to an author I hadn't heard of before.
There's an excerpt for a book called Colour me in by Lydia Ruffles that I'm mildly interested in. Something I may read from the library if I see and recognise it!
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
March 5, 2019
An intresting read that had a line or two that tugged at the heart strings but nothing too over whelming. Was alright for a 40 minute read.
June 30, 2019
Entertaining read if you are looking for something quick and easy, good plot, great storyline
March 4, 2019
Loved this clever, well-paced story. Perfect YA choice for WBD
February 27, 2019
Really intriguing snippet into this world. Snap shows how grief can affect people in many ways. I enjoyed this book and I'll certainly read more of this authors books in the future
June 2, 2020
It isn't my type of thing and I didn't really like the style of it. There also seemed to be the lack of an ending and there is no next book.
Characters were good though. If it's your type of thing then go for it.
Only reason I read it - my best friend got it me for Christmas one year and it's only just over 100 pages long anyway so didn't take much time at all to read.
Characters were good though. If it's your type of thing then go for it.
Only reason I read it - my best friend got it me for Christmas one year and it's only just over 100 pages long anyway so didn't take much time at all to read.
July 22, 2019
From seeing her at panel events and meeting her in person and such, I love Patrice Lawrence, but I’ve never actually read one of her novels. Her short story in A Change Is Gonna Come was one of my favourites, and based on that and this novella, I really like her writing style so I’m very much looking forward to reading all the full length books of hers that are on my shelf.
The topic of this was something that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and is super relevant to young people today, so I was really glad to see it approached in such an accessible way. It was essentially just a snapshot of a story, and whilst that was 100% what it was supposed to be and did suit the target audience and everything, I felt like that meant it wasn’t really able to develop anywhere and I found I couldn’t quite connect with it. It had so much scope and I really wanted to read it as a full length novel that could really get sunk into the story and characters, but as it stands, for me, it fell a little short. Perfect for kids who need a doorway into reading, or if you’re someone who particularly enjoys short stories.
The topic of this was something that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and is super relevant to young people today, so I was really glad to see it approached in such an accessible way. It was essentially just a snapshot of a story, and whilst that was 100% what it was supposed to be and did suit the target audience and everything, I felt like that meant it wasn’t really able to develop anywhere and I found I couldn’t quite connect with it. It had so much scope and I really wanted to read it as a full length novel that could really get sunk into the story and characters, but as it stands, for me, it fell a little short. Perfect for kids who need a doorway into reading, or if you’re someone who particularly enjoys short stories.
March 31, 2022
In the beginning I struggled to get into the story. A funeral is a serious time and although Soraya was taking it seriously she also focused a lot on her friends who didn’t attend or left earlier than she would have liked. I’m just not sure that it would be something you would focus on at a funeral when someone you presumably care about has passed on.
Once Farhad was discovered to be missing the story picked up and I found myself very quickly at the end. I liked that they found him relatively quickly whilst not feeling too rushed given that this is such a short book but it is a shame that it just ends with them climbing towards him. It leaves the rest to the readers imagination whilst also leaving questions as to what Farhad’s future holds. Does he discuss his feelings? Is he able to stop blaming himself for Jimi-Luke’s death?
Preview extract: Colour Me In, by Lydia Ruffles.
‘They have a proverb here: “If you can’t sleep it’s because you’re awake in someone else’s dream.”’ -Mizuki
‘Well, if you see me in one of yours, tell me to go back to bed.’ -Arlo
Once Farhad was discovered to be missing the story picked up and I found myself very quickly at the end. I liked that they found him relatively quickly whilst not feeling too rushed given that this is such a short book but it is a shame that it just ends with them climbing towards him. It leaves the rest to the readers imagination whilst also leaving questions as to what Farhad’s future holds. Does he discuss his feelings? Is he able to stop blaming himself for Jimi-Luke’s death?
Preview extract: Colour Me In, by Lydia Ruffles.
‘They have a proverb here: “If you can’t sleep it’s because you’re awake in someone else’s dream.”’ -Mizuki
‘Well, if you see me in one of yours, tell me to go back to bed.’ -Arlo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2023
I feel the book was well written however I feel the story was rushed. I felt Farhad, who ran away, was found so quick in the end. I think it would have been better if there was 20 or so more pages to broaden the story and get more in depth about why he ran away. There was also another storyline in it where a family member died which led to him running away. I felt that was a bit too much for a short book. The book death with death and what grief can do. I felt a story that deed needs a longer book and it has a deep and sensitive storyline. They could have broadened the story more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
I’d give this book 3.5
I haven’t read anything else by this author before but had heard good things about her.
I like the beginning of the story and the writing style was good. But once I’d read the whole story I felt like was that it. The ending was pretty much left open and I felt it suddenly ended.
But I will still definetly check out One of her longer works.
I haven’t read anything else by this author before but had heard good things about her.
I like the beginning of the story and the writing style was good. But once I’d read the whole story I felt like was that it. The ending was pretty much left open and I felt it suddenly ended.
But I will still definetly check out One of her longer works.
May 15, 2019
Snap was a good read, although I'd have liked a longer version of the story. It deals with death and grief and how people deal with it differently. The ending was very short and leaves you with lots of questions about what happened next and what happened to the characters. But all in all it was a good short read.
May 3, 2019
A fantastic, thought-provoking World Book Day short story from Patrice Lawrence - I love her presentation of London teens. (12+)
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. If you use it in any marketing material, online or anywhere on a published book without asking permission from me first, I will ask you to remove that use immediately. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. If you use it in any marketing material, online or anywhere on a published book without asking permission from me first, I will ask you to remove that use immediately. Thank you!*
March 17, 2019
Its a really good story about and girl and her friend who tries to find her lost brother.
April 7, 2019
A great introductory YA read.
April 10, 2019
Again, I'm not the target audience.
An interesting tale. The mannerisms grate on me, but do create atmosphere. Nicely constructed and gripping.
An interesting tale. The mannerisms grate on me, but do create atmosphere. Nicely constructed and gripping.
April 16, 2019
A very readable and enjoyable short story. I'd definitely seek out Lawrence's other books now.
April 21, 2019
Review to come.
June 16, 2019
Having already read Orange Boy, I really enjoyed reading Snap. A great book for world book day, Decent in length, - many are too short. Can also be read as a stand alone.
December 7, 2020
Just a really quick and simple read. Didn’t really get the point of book, there was no ending or anything...
Read
January 1, 2021Was a good start to the year. I enjoyed the story but could have a more conclusive ending.
March 3, 2021
This book was pretty good, although I found it quite vague and wanted to know more about the characters and the plot.
August 5, 2021
Very important issues raised.
January 9, 2026
Interesting enough but the story to it is poor and the events are not portrayed as clearly as they could be.
November 12, 2020
A race of a read, incredibly engaging for a short World Book Day Book.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews