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Needle
Award-winning author Patrice Lawrence explores the harsh reality of the criminal justice system for young people in this riveting teen drama.
Charlene is a demon knitter. It’s the only thing she enjoys and the only thing she believes she’s really good at.
So when her foster mum’s son destroys her latest creation, Charlene loses it and stabs him in the hand with her knitting needle. It damages a nerve and she gets sucked into the criminal justice system for assault.
Charlene's not sorry and she’s never apologised to anyone in her life. But people keep telling her that if she says sorry, they’ll go easier on her. Can she bring herself to say it and not mean it when her freedom’s at stake?
Charlene is a demon knitter. It’s the only thing she enjoys and the only thing she believes she’s really good at.
So when her foster mum’s son destroys her latest creation, Charlene loses it and stabs him in the hand with her knitting needle. It damages a nerve and she gets sucked into the criminal justice system for assault.
Charlene's not sorry and she’s never apologised to anyone in her life. But people keep telling her that if she says sorry, they’ll go easier on her. Can she bring herself to say it and not mean it when her freedom’s at stake?
128 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2022
9 people are currently reading
426 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Lawrence
46 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 - 30 of 125 reviews
March 21, 2023
It is not often that a novel (and no matter to which age group said book is geared) ends up being not only five stars for me, but also a five stars I wish I could in fact rate even higher. But yes indeed, Patrice Lawrence's 2022 young adult novel Needle (and which is also on the short list for the 2023 Carnegie Medal) certainly falls into that category (and is also being placed on my favourites shelf).
For yes, I adore absolutely everything about Needle, about Patrice Lawrence's featured story, that the font used for Needle is nicely large (with a very reader friendly spacing) and that I totally and one thousand percent so to speak emphasise with and relate to main protagonist and delightfully personable first person narrator Charlene and her struggles at school with bullies (and with said bullying coming both from fellow students and also from ignorant and stupidly racist, bigoted teachers), with being in foster care after the death of her mother, and am finding it totally disgusting and unacceptable that Charlene has not only been permanently separated from her little sister but that Kandi's biological father (with whom Kandi now lives) is not allowing any contact whatsoever.
And just to be clear with regard to Needle, I also with no guilt or contrition whatsoever say that I for one do think that main protagonist Charlene was actually rather if not even absolutely justified stabbing her asshole of a foster brother Blake in the hand with her knitting needle for deliberately and viscously destroying the dinosaur blanket she was knitting for her sister, for Kandi, and that I also totally stand by and accept said sentiment and even kind of am saying kudos to Charlene for not wanting to apologise, for not saying "sorry" (as in my opinion, Charlene should ONLY be apologising if and when Blake accepts his own guilt and that he in fact totally provoked the knitting needle being used on his hand, and not to mention that that everyone wanting Charlene to apologise in Needle, it totally brings me back to when I in the late 1970s and early 1980s was made to apologise to a fellow student after I very deliberately slapped his face during class for asking me as a German how many Jews I sent to the gas chamber today and when I told one of my teachers to literally fuck off because he told me that I was too lazy to get rid of my horrible German accent and thus deserved to be bullied, and that I consider Charlene's refusal in Needle to apologise heroic as I certainly did not have the proverbial guts to refuse to apologise when I was facing bullying etc. at school).
But yes, I also very grudgingly do see that Charlene using a knitting needle as a weapon in Needle, while in my opinion and emotionally personally speaking more than a bit justified, this is also something that is rather majorly frightening and something that definitely needs to be discussed and debated, For indeed, considering that I (who was a victim of bullying at school and from both students and also from teachers) not only majorly emphasises with Charlene but also cannot help but be rather condoning of her reactions and of her stabbing Blake in the hand, yes, bullying at school and elsewhere of individuals who do not fit in, who are newly arrived, who are ethnically diverse and so on and so on needs to be fought against and with the bullied being seen as the victims and not vice versa (as Patrice Lawrence certainly shows how not doing this can lead to acts of violent lashing out as Charlene demonstrates with her knitting needle and that if nothing will be done, there in my opinion is also between the lines of Needle a warning from Patrice Lawrence that the next time, Charlene might react with bringing a gun, a knife etc. to school or joining some kind of political or religious extremist group).
Finally, at least for me, Charlene's story and her struggles in Needle also show that we kind of do sorely need other monikers than simply the term "racism" to describe and discuss the animosity, the lack of support and trust Charlene experiences in and out of school (and yes, even with her foster mother Annie being at least on the surface supportive and encouraging but in reality continuously wanting Charlene to play nice and to not make too many proverbial waves). For while Charlene being dark skinned of course has a lot to do with the bigotry she faces in Needle, for me, her being a teenager and someone in foster care are equally relevant (and that Blake simply seems to despise Charlene because his mother, because Annie has given Charlene his old bedroom and is now also making Blake do his own laundry, just like Annie expects from Charlene), and I think it is certainly and definitely important and necessary not to make everything only about racism and to show that bigotry and hatred do not only stem from ethnic intolerances either.
For yes, I adore absolutely everything about Needle, about Patrice Lawrence's featured story, that the font used for Needle is nicely large (with a very reader friendly spacing) and that I totally and one thousand percent so to speak emphasise with and relate to main protagonist and delightfully personable first person narrator Charlene and her struggles at school with bullies (and with said bullying coming both from fellow students and also from ignorant and stupidly racist, bigoted teachers), with being in foster care after the death of her mother, and am finding it totally disgusting and unacceptable that Charlene has not only been permanently separated from her little sister but that Kandi's biological father (with whom Kandi now lives) is not allowing any contact whatsoever.
And just to be clear with regard to Needle, I also with no guilt or contrition whatsoever say that I for one do think that main protagonist Charlene was actually rather if not even absolutely justified stabbing her asshole of a foster brother Blake in the hand with her knitting needle for deliberately and viscously destroying the dinosaur blanket she was knitting for her sister, for Kandi, and that I also totally stand by and accept said sentiment and even kind of am saying kudos to Charlene for not wanting to apologise, for not saying "sorry" (as in my opinion, Charlene should ONLY be apologising if and when Blake accepts his own guilt and that he in fact totally provoked the knitting needle being used on his hand, and not to mention that that everyone wanting Charlene to apologise in Needle, it totally brings me back to when I in the late 1970s and early 1980s was made to apologise to a fellow student after I very deliberately slapped his face during class for asking me as a German how many Jews I sent to the gas chamber today and when I told one of my teachers to literally fuck off because he told me that I was too lazy to get rid of my horrible German accent and thus deserved to be bullied, and that I consider Charlene's refusal in Needle to apologise heroic as I certainly did not have the proverbial guts to refuse to apologise when I was facing bullying etc. at school).
But yes, I also very grudgingly do see that Charlene using a knitting needle as a weapon in Needle, while in my opinion and emotionally personally speaking more than a bit justified, this is also something that is rather majorly frightening and something that definitely needs to be discussed and debated, For indeed, considering that I (who was a victim of bullying at school and from both students and also from teachers) not only majorly emphasises with Charlene but also cannot help but be rather condoning of her reactions and of her stabbing Blake in the hand, yes, bullying at school and elsewhere of individuals who do not fit in, who are newly arrived, who are ethnically diverse and so on and so on needs to be fought against and with the bullied being seen as the victims and not vice versa (as Patrice Lawrence certainly shows how not doing this can lead to acts of violent lashing out as Charlene demonstrates with her knitting needle and that if nothing will be done, there in my opinion is also between the lines of Needle a warning from Patrice Lawrence that the next time, Charlene might react with bringing a gun, a knife etc. to school or joining some kind of political or religious extremist group).
Finally, at least for me, Charlene's story and her struggles in Needle also show that we kind of do sorely need other monikers than simply the term "racism" to describe and discuss the animosity, the lack of support and trust Charlene experiences in and out of school (and yes, even with her foster mother Annie being at least on the surface supportive and encouraging but in reality continuously wanting Charlene to play nice and to not make too many proverbial waves). For while Charlene being dark skinned of course has a lot to do with the bigotry she faces in Needle, for me, her being a teenager and someone in foster care are equally relevant (and that Blake simply seems to despise Charlene because his mother, because Annie has given Charlene his old bedroom and is now also making Blake do his own laundry, just like Annie expects from Charlene), and I think it is certainly and definitely important and necessary not to make everything only about racism and to show that bigotry and hatred do not only stem from ethnic intolerances either.
May 8, 2022
A short but emotional read that had my full attention from the very first word. A powerful glimpse at the difficulties faced by children in care, who are separated from their families and let down by the impersonal system they are forced to be a part of, this book highlights beautifully just how valuable it is for young people to have supportive adults willing to see past their 'bad' behaviour and find ways to encourage them to succeed in their lives. This would no doubt be an excellent prompt for rich and varied discussion/debates with early secondary school pupils aged 14+ and is a highly enjoyable read for teenagers and adults alike.
Thank you to NetGalley.co.uk and Barrington Stoke Ltd for the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley.co.uk and Barrington Stoke Ltd for the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2022
Needle is a compelling read that follows Charlene, who's in the foster care system and wants nothing more than to see her younger sister again. The book explores hard-hitting topics such as racial bias and the juvenile criminal justice system through a relatable protagonist and engaging story. It also sheds light on what kids who slip through the cracks often go through.
I felt so much for Charlene in this emotionally-charged story. Things like how she finds solace through knitting and leans on the hope of seeing her sister again as a driving force really got to me. Her actions might understandably draw mixed reactions but I could empathise with her. I really enjoyed following Charlene's journey and she felt like a real person whose story I need to know more about.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I felt so much for Charlene in this emotionally-charged story. Things like how she finds solace through knitting and leans on the hope of seeing her sister again as a driving force really got to me. Her actions might understandably draw mixed reactions but I could empathise with her. I really enjoyed following Charlene's journey and she felt like a real person whose story I need to know more about.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
August 9, 2024
An impressive story of a young girl ended up in the care. Charlene’s a knitting genius. Unexpectedly, that also gets her in trouble. Fair, not fair, sorry, not sorry, apologise, not apologise. This is a story of the loneliness of a young person after their parents are gone/not present. Child is a child is a child - what’s blood got to do with it?
Knitting! Rules!
And it can save the day.
Knitting! Rules!
And it can save the day.
April 21, 2024
Vill tro att denna passar bra som diskussionsunderlag i klassrum och bokcirklar med unga deltagare! Bra!
March 8, 2023
It was fine. There wasn't much to it and the end was disappointing...
March 10, 2023
On this year's Carnegie Prize longlist
This is a very short and easily readable novel about a teenage black girl, Charlene, who is tne UK's foster system. Her mother died and her beloved little sister is living with her dad who refuses to allow Charlene to have any contact with her. Charlene's coping mechanism is to knit, the repetitive action calms her. Her latest project is to knit a dinosaur blanket for her sister, However, a couple of bad choices and Charlene finds herself dealing with the police and and the criminal system. You can see why Charlene acts as she does and I am sure that many teenagers will empathise with her. The book also highlights how the importance of a loving home - foster or otherwise - and how the support of Charlene's foster carer Annie was so vital. It is easy for a lot of people to discriminate against those in care and this book, through Charlene's narration shines a light on the difficulties they face while they are trying to come to terms with the reasons why they are in care. An excellent read for teenagers.
This is a very short and easily readable novel about a teenage black girl, Charlene, who is tne UK's foster system. Her mother died and her beloved little sister is living with her dad who refuses to allow Charlene to have any contact with her. Charlene's coping mechanism is to knit, the repetitive action calms her. Her latest project is to knit a dinosaur blanket for her sister, However, a couple of bad choices and Charlene finds herself dealing with the police and and the criminal system. You can see why Charlene acts as she does and I am sure that many teenagers will empathise with her. The book also highlights how the importance of a loving home - foster or otherwise - and how the support of Charlene's foster carer Annie was so vital. It is easy for a lot of people to discriminate against those in care and this book, through Charlene's narration shines a light on the difficulties they face while they are trying to come to terms with the reasons why they are in care. An excellent read for teenagers.
March 31, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.
As a high school teacher-librarian, I am always on the lookout for slimmer volumes for students who are looking for quick reads. I look for a variety of stories in a variety of page counts for our students.
Needles clocks in at 96 pages, and I was riveted the whole way through. The main character is Charlene, a 15-year-old girl in the foster system in the UK. Her mom has died; her pride and joy of a little sister went to live with her little sister's dad and he doesn't want Charlene to have contact.
Charlene lives with a caring foster mom named Annie who helps nurture her love of knitting (hence the title). Unfortunately, life isn't perfect. A terrible experience in a make-up shop in which Charlene stuck up for herself seems to have put Charlene on edge. Charlene is knitting a dinosaur blanket for her little sister whom she just wants to see so badly. And then the unthinkable happens and Charlene finds herself dealing with the police and the system.
I think teens will emphasize with Charlene and her emotions no matter what their background, but I hope that students who are foster students themselves will perhaps relate to Charlene. A quick read, but a powerful one with characters well-developed for such a short book.
As a high school teacher-librarian, I am always on the lookout for slimmer volumes for students who are looking for quick reads. I look for a variety of stories in a variety of page counts for our students.
Needles clocks in at 96 pages, and I was riveted the whole way through. The main character is Charlene, a 15-year-old girl in the foster system in the UK. Her mom has died; her pride and joy of a little sister went to live with her little sister's dad and he doesn't want Charlene to have contact.
Charlene lives with a caring foster mom named Annie who helps nurture her love of knitting (hence the title). Unfortunately, life isn't perfect. A terrible experience in a make-up shop in which Charlene stuck up for herself seems to have put Charlene on edge. Charlene is knitting a dinosaur blanket for her little sister whom she just wants to see so badly. And then the unthinkable happens and Charlene finds herself dealing with the police and the system.
I think teens will emphasize with Charlene and her emotions no matter what their background, but I hope that students who are foster students themselves will perhaps relate to Charlene. A quick read, but a powerful one with characters well-developed for such a short book.
April 4, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book.
This was a short novel about a young black girl, Charlene who is in the foster care system in the UK after her Mom dies. She is also separated from her younger sister who she is close with. Charlene is a new knitter who has learned to use the hobby to not only make things for others, but as a way to self soothe through some trying times in her life. We find Charlene having to navigate the consequences of her poor choices (including stabbing someone in the hand with a knitting needle!) in the foster care system as well as the criminal justice system.
I think this is an important book that many students/teenagers could actually empathize with the protagonist. She has made poor choices and doesn't have the best support system in place to help her get through the emotional upheaval of losing her Mom and feeling like she's lost her sister too.
This was a short novel about a young black girl, Charlene who is in the foster care system in the UK after her Mom dies. She is also separated from her younger sister who she is close with. Charlene is a new knitter who has learned to use the hobby to not only make things for others, but as a way to self soothe through some trying times in her life. We find Charlene having to navigate the consequences of her poor choices (including stabbing someone in the hand with a knitting needle!) in the foster care system as well as the criminal justice system.
I think this is an important book that many students/teenagers could actually empathize with the protagonist. She has made poor choices and doesn't have the best support system in place to help her get through the emotional upheaval of losing her Mom and feeling like she's lost her sister too.
April 1, 2023
An OK YA fiction that was somewhat moving. Annoying that the police are referred to as the 'feds'. Not sure I've ever heard a UK teenager refer to them as this.
December 4, 2025
Charlene Yewless has been in foster care, and lives with Annie. Charlene’s younger sister Kandi lives separately from her, and this is a source of great sadness and anger for Charlene, as is her unexamined grief over her mother’s death, her aunt’s inability to take the two sisters in, on account of her already having young twins, the inability to be in contact with Kandi, and all the bullying and aggressions she experiences at school and elsewhere. Charlene is so angry and frustrated, and everyone wants her to make herself small and quiet, and just accept things.
Charlene knits to deal with all the stress in her life, and she's been spending a lot of time and effort on creating a blanket with a dinosaur pattern in it for Kandi.
Annie, the woman fostering her, has a son, Blake, at university who is resentful of Charlene, and a negative interaction between him and Charlene over the blanket causes her to stab Blake in the hand with one of her knitting needles.
Of course, things go from bad to worse, and Charlene finds herself in a lot of trouble, furious, feeling alone and hopeless.
This is a deeply emotional story. I found myself in tears frequently as I read about Charlene's situation. She's a deeply caring person, intelligent, and creative but because she's not willing to make herself small and compliant, often ends up in trouble and/ or bullied by adults.
Author Patrice Lawrence highlights the struggles of a young black girl who is maligned frequently, but who needs support and understanding, if she is ever to deal with her grief and anger, and move forward with her life. I wanted to know what happens next with Charlene at the end of this gripping story, which is a good indicator to me that I liked this.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Barrington Stoke for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Charlene knits to deal with all the stress in her life, and she's been spending a lot of time and effort on creating a blanket with a dinosaur pattern in it for Kandi.
Annie, the woman fostering her, has a son, Blake, at university who is resentful of Charlene, and a negative interaction between him and Charlene over the blanket causes her to stab Blake in the hand with one of her knitting needles.
Of course, things go from bad to worse, and Charlene finds herself in a lot of trouble, furious, feeling alone and hopeless.
This is a deeply emotional story. I found myself in tears frequently as I read about Charlene's situation. She's a deeply caring person, intelligent, and creative but because she's not willing to make herself small and compliant, often ends up in trouble and/ or bullied by adults.
Author Patrice Lawrence highlights the struggles of a young black girl who is maligned frequently, but who needs support and understanding, if she is ever to deal with her grief and anger, and move forward with her life. I wanted to know what happens next with Charlene at the end of this gripping story, which is a good indicator to me that I liked this.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Barrington Stoke for this ARC in exchange for my review.
July 27, 2023
Needle by Patrice Lawrence was very intriguing and dramatic. There was a lot of drama involved in it. There was lots of kicking and throwing and punching involved in this book which I loved. Lots of violent too. There was also some citizenship added in too because it talked about children like Charlene who is the main character of the book being put in the criminal justice system for violent acts and crimes. My favourite character was Charlene I liked how she had two sides to her a good side and a bad side. After she hurt Blake Annie's son she thought it was wrong to have done it. My favourite part was when Christine and her friends Skye and bash when in a shop looking at makeup and they were messing around and being silly. Good job Patrice Lawrence on this book. I hope that Lawrence makes more drama books in the future.
May 3, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Barrington Stoke Teen for a review copy of this story.
Though this story is short, that doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful. How do we say sorry when we don’t have anything to be sorry for? That’s the question Charlene has to face when the injustices she faces are used against her in ways that don’t seem fair.
I loved both the simplicity of the story telling as well as the imagery of knitting, especially as a novice knitter myself. So when Charlene’s work got ruined, my heart broke along side it, and that transferred over as we learned more about her and the tragic events of her past.
Though this story is short, that doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful. How do we say sorry when we don’t have anything to be sorry for? That’s the question Charlene has to face when the injustices she faces are used against her in ways that don’t seem fair.
I loved both the simplicity of the story telling as well as the imagery of knitting, especially as a novice knitter myself. So when Charlene’s work got ruined, my heart broke along side it, and that transferred over as we learned more about her and the tragic events of her past.
September 7, 2024
This book has many messages... outlining the importance of having reliable people who are both loving and loved in your life, and especially in the lives of young people. It also shows how the ability to talk when faced with difficult situations is a key skill to have and that without it, the consequences of your actions can escalate faster than a cheetah with three jetpacks. Finally, what someone says and how they act isn't always what they think or feel on the inside. Don't be so quick to judge as you don't always know what someone has been through and how big their trauma may be.
March 18, 2023
Carnegie shortlist 2023. A small book with a big heart. This book is a real empathy former. Loved it.
January 4, 2024
This book made me cry
March 11, 2024
Väga suurepärane noortekas, kus on olulisel kohal armastus kudumise vastu. Kiidan heaks!
April 25, 2025
Sorglig, men fin. Och har en ung huvudperson som finner ett lugn i att sticka. <3
July 19, 2022
During my last visit to the library, I picked #needle #sorrynotsorry and finished it the same day.
It is a short book, just over a 100 pages, but it packs a very powerful message. Dealing with issues of teenage custody, it tries to throw some light through the life of Charlene. She is separated from her sister whom she loves dearly when their mom dies. Unable to cope with live altering incidents and the fact that she is exposed to discrimination, teasing, and racism, pushes her anger over the edge.
I am not condoning violent behavior but I believe that with love and right guidance, people can change and maybe that's the whole premise of this book. Everybody wants to be heard and understood, especially young adults.
It is a short book, just over a 100 pages, but it packs a very powerful message. Dealing with issues of teenage custody, it tries to throw some light through the life of Charlene. She is separated from her sister whom she loves dearly when their mom dies. Unable to cope with live altering incidents and the fact that she is exposed to discrimination, teasing, and racism, pushes her anger over the edge.
I am not condoning violent behavior but I believe that with love and right guidance, people can change and maybe that's the whole premise of this book. Everybody wants to be heard and understood, especially young adults.
October 5, 2023
omds read this in form - took a month 💗
1. charlene needs a character development and a, dare i say, personality! (pity wont take you too far!)
2. i just KNOW blake is fit
3. why, when faced with he choice between endless wool, a life with annie and the increased possibility with your sister would you REFUSE TO APOLOGISE. one word. two if you're grammatical. three if you're formal.
4. im fairly sure she managed to cancel out absolutely everything she said with the sheer amount of double negatives
5. why would i be expected to waste 120 pages, or in this case a month of tutor time, without a decent conclusion "oh she might get to set up a meeting with kandis dad" fuck. off.
6. sure she stabbed a guy and booted a police officer, but what ACTUALLY happened???????????
the pages were such a fluorescent yellow i think i got radiation in my irises.
im sure this book was not targeted at me so i blame my school entirely for subjecting me to this torture.
1. charlene needs a character development and a, dare i say, personality! (pity wont take you too far!)
2. i just KNOW blake is fit
3. why, when faced with he choice between endless wool, a life with annie and the increased possibility with your sister would you REFUSE TO APOLOGISE. one word. two if you're grammatical. three if you're formal.
4. im fairly sure she managed to cancel out absolutely everything she said with the sheer amount of double negatives
5. why would i be expected to waste 120 pages, or in this case a month of tutor time, without a decent conclusion "oh she might get to set up a meeting with kandis dad" fuck. off.
6. sure she stabbed a guy and booted a police officer, but what ACTUALLY happened???????????
the pages were such a fluorescent yellow i think i got radiation in my irises.
im sure this book was not targeted at me so i blame my school entirely for subjecting me to this torture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
That was so 😬
It felt really rushed from the first page in, and it didn't feel like a book it felt like reading a children's book. I just dont like the writing. The story itself was fine
It felt really rushed from the first page in, and it didn't feel like a book it felt like reading a children's book. I just dont like the writing. The story itself was fine
January 10, 2024
My first 2-star rating, the storyline isnt bad but i just cant stand the protagonist.
August 3, 2024
i lost braincells reading this
the protagonist does a brilliant job of being unlikeable
the protagonist does a brilliant job of being unlikeable
August 12, 2022
This is a deep story about the way a black teenager who is in the care system is treated. Charlene loves to knit, it’s what she does to cope when things upset her. Her foster mum knows that knitting helps her, but when her foster mum’s son does something terrible, she gets angry and stabs him with a knitting needle.
This is a brilliant story showing how difficult life can be for someone in care. Charlene has had to live in care ever since her mum died and her sister Kandi has been separated from her. While Kandi lives with her dad, Charlene, who has a different father, has to stay with foster carers and her latest foster mum is luckily very nice and kind to her. After a bad day Charlene comes home and starts knitting a big piece she wants to give to her sister. I love how Charlene really gets into her knitting and how it helps her keep calm after she gets stressed and upset.
Charlene is so keen on knitting that she even wants to take her knitting to school one day, but after being convinced to leave it at home, she goes back to the house and finds her foster mum’s son looking at her work. His attitude is toxic towards her and Charlene struggles to keep her cool. You really feel for Charlene in this novel. There are so many kids and teens in care who are judged by others instantly, just for being in that situation, without any understanding. This is what happens to Charlene with her foster mum’s son and it’s his attitude that causes Charlene to lash out.
The story shows the real impact that Charlene’s behaviour has on her situation. Her anger causes her to do something she shouldn’t but unlike stories where we just see someone getting angry and later in trouble for it, this tale is told from Charlene’s perspective, with her narrating it, so you get an insight into how she feels and what she’s going through and you can really feel and understand that what happens is so much more complex than simply her being angry and then violent with the knitting needle.
I like what happens, despite how desperate her situation becomes. The way her foster mum treats her after the events was good and I like how Charlene finds support for her and her situation even though things get very difficult. The ending is good and I like what happens and how Charlene grows in this story too, however I do wish there could have been a final scene, perhaps set a little later, just to show us that things did go as we hope they do as this ending felt a little abrupt.
I like the writing style in this book, you can really feel what Charlene is going though and I like how we get a picture of how she’s mistreated due to the prejudices against her. There are lots of children and teens going through the care system and this book really highlights the difficulties they face. I didn’t know there were so many restrictions for doing simple things sometimes like going out and meeting friends or family and I like how this book is informative as well as being a good fiction read.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an interesting and powerful read. It’s quite an emotional one too, especially when Charlene faces some heart-breaking moments like what happens to her knitting and later on with visiting her sister, and it’s definitely a book that I think a lot of people should read to get rid of the stigma behind those who are in care and also those who are black, as sometimes there are reasons for certain behaviours even if they’re not always the right choices. And as a character Charlene certainly learns from her mistakes which is great to read.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free copy.
This is a brilliant story showing how difficult life can be for someone in care. Charlene has had to live in care ever since her mum died and her sister Kandi has been separated from her. While Kandi lives with her dad, Charlene, who has a different father, has to stay with foster carers and her latest foster mum is luckily very nice and kind to her. After a bad day Charlene comes home and starts knitting a big piece she wants to give to her sister. I love how Charlene really gets into her knitting and how it helps her keep calm after she gets stressed and upset.
Charlene is so keen on knitting that she even wants to take her knitting to school one day, but after being convinced to leave it at home, she goes back to the house and finds her foster mum’s son looking at her work. His attitude is toxic towards her and Charlene struggles to keep her cool. You really feel for Charlene in this novel. There are so many kids and teens in care who are judged by others instantly, just for being in that situation, without any understanding. This is what happens to Charlene with her foster mum’s son and it’s his attitude that causes Charlene to lash out.
The story shows the real impact that Charlene’s behaviour has on her situation. Her anger causes her to do something she shouldn’t but unlike stories where we just see someone getting angry and later in trouble for it, this tale is told from Charlene’s perspective, with her narrating it, so you get an insight into how she feels and what she’s going through and you can really feel and understand that what happens is so much more complex than simply her being angry and then violent with the knitting needle.
I like what happens, despite how desperate her situation becomes. The way her foster mum treats her after the events was good and I like how Charlene finds support for her and her situation even though things get very difficult. The ending is good and I like what happens and how Charlene grows in this story too, however I do wish there could have been a final scene, perhaps set a little later, just to show us that things did go as we hope they do as this ending felt a little abrupt.
I like the writing style in this book, you can really feel what Charlene is going though and I like how we get a picture of how she’s mistreated due to the prejudices against her. There are lots of children and teens going through the care system and this book really highlights the difficulties they face. I didn’t know there were so many restrictions for doing simple things sometimes like going out and meeting friends or family and I like how this book is informative as well as being a good fiction read.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone interested in an interesting and powerful read. It’s quite an emotional one too, especially when Charlene faces some heart-breaking moments like what happens to her knitting and later on with visiting her sister, and it’s definitely a book that I think a lot of people should read to get rid of the stigma behind those who are in care and also those who are black, as sometimes there are reasons for certain behaviours even if they’re not always the right choices. And as a character Charlene certainly learns from her mistakes which is great to read.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free copy.
April 13, 2022
What a great read! I can’t wait to introduce my students to this novel – I know that some of them are going to really see themselves in its main character, and will enjoy this fast-paced, empathetic telling of Charlene’s story.
I was so relieved to find out that the ‘needle’ in the title refers to knitting needles rather than syringes or knives, and also surprised to find out that it is Charlene, the main character, who is an enthusiastic knitter. (Not enough characters in books for teens craft!)
Charlene is a complicated character though – she lives in foster care after the death of her mother, and is separated from the sister who means the world to her. Charlene hangs out with people who are bad influences on her, and prevent her from having the stable life that she craves. She gets angry and lashes out. What I love about this book is that it isn’t ‘preachy’ or didactic, and it’s main character is throughly human. Charlene knows that she makes mistakes, and listens to advice even though she doesn’t always feel that she can follow it.
One thing that I love about this book, like so many of those published by Barrington Stoke, is that it is succinct and uncomplicated without ‘dumbing down’ on the character’s motivations or feelings. In the school library, I house these books in a ‘quick reads’ section rather than ‘easy reads’ – they may be short, and the reading ages may be lower than most YA fiction, but the interest level is certainly not.
Some days, we all just like to get to the ‘good bits’ of a story without having a huge cast of characters and loads of subplot. ‘Needle’ does this beautifully, and you’ll find it a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish.
‘Needle’ is due to be published by Barrington Stoke on 5th May 2022. Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for this ARC in return for my honest review.
I was so relieved to find out that the ‘needle’ in the title refers to knitting needles rather than syringes or knives, and also surprised to find out that it is Charlene, the main character, who is an enthusiastic knitter. (Not enough characters in books for teens craft!)
Charlene is a complicated character though – she lives in foster care after the death of her mother, and is separated from the sister who means the world to her. Charlene hangs out with people who are bad influences on her, and prevent her from having the stable life that she craves. She gets angry and lashes out. What I love about this book is that it isn’t ‘preachy’ or didactic, and it’s main character is throughly human. Charlene knows that she makes mistakes, and listens to advice even though she doesn’t always feel that she can follow it.
One thing that I love about this book, like so many of those published by Barrington Stoke, is that it is succinct and uncomplicated without ‘dumbing down’ on the character’s motivations or feelings. In the school library, I house these books in a ‘quick reads’ section rather than ‘easy reads’ – they may be short, and the reading ages may be lower than most YA fiction, but the interest level is certainly not.
Some days, we all just like to get to the ‘good bits’ of a story without having a huge cast of characters and loads of subplot. ‘Needle’ does this beautifully, and you’ll find it a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish.
‘Needle’ is due to be published by Barrington Stoke on 5th May 2022. Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for this ARC in return for my honest review.
April 5, 2022
The introduction and how the story started was really interesting and got you hooked straight away, however also right off the bat the writing and incorrect grammar really bothered me, I know this will have been an intentional choice to write like that however I found it off putting and felt like it kept pushing me out of the story because it was so noticable.
By the halfway point the writing style wasn't as jarring and I was so ingrained in the story and what was going on. It was really interesting being in Charlene's head and knowing what she was thinking not just what was happening on the outside.
The second half of the book was great and flowed so well, I loved where the story took us and how everything ended up. The ending was great, not everything was concluded but it was hopeful and realistic at the same time.
I will say at the start it didn't seem very believable to me that she was 15 as the book moved on it read more as immaturity rather than being the incorrect age, I'm just unsure if a character who had gone through everything Charlene had would be as immature when it comes to what they were actually thinking about in their head. I understand the outward immaturity and acting out and I'm aware that this point is very nit picky it's just not something I could get my head around especially saying sorry.
I do think this is a really important book especially for younger people to read and the storyline and characters are really compelling you want to keep reading about them and find out what happens.
Overall 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to @netgalley , the publishers @barringtonstoke and the author @lawrencepatrice for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review
By the halfway point the writing style wasn't as jarring and I was so ingrained in the story and what was going on. It was really interesting being in Charlene's head and knowing what she was thinking not just what was happening on the outside.
The second half of the book was great and flowed so well, I loved where the story took us and how everything ended up. The ending was great, not everything was concluded but it was hopeful and realistic at the same time.
I will say at the start it didn't seem very believable to me that she was 15 as the book moved on it read more as immaturity rather than being the incorrect age, I'm just unsure if a character who had gone through everything Charlene had would be as immature when it comes to what they were actually thinking about in their head. I understand the outward immaturity and acting out and I'm aware that this point is very nit picky it's just not something I could get my head around especially saying sorry.
I do think this is a really important book especially for younger people to read and the storyline and characters are really compelling you want to keep reading about them and find out what happens.
Overall 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thanks to @netgalley , the publishers @barringtonstoke and the author @lawrencepatrice for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 21, 2022
Excellent condensed family/adolescent story.
Barrington Stoke does give us the best writers and the best writing, in short form. Lawrence here gives what could have been a full-length novel, but in a tale that takes little over an hour to read and will definitely appeal to teens who can empathise with the anger and frustration Charlene feels.
Since the death of her mother, Charlene has been separated from much-loved younger sister Kandi, who is living with her birth father. Charlene herself is in foster care, currently with a foster-parent she can actually stand. She's far from excelling in school, quick to anger, and missing her sister, her knitting hobby keeps her cool and gives her focus.
The problem occurs when she decides to make her little sister a dinosaur blanket as a present. Explosive and life-changing actions result, with the reader probably shell-shocked to watch as Charlene's life suddenly reels out of control.
The play-on-words in the title may not hit the reader, but it's beautifully apt, and we do see how every action can and does have consequences. It's also a shock how young people might be treated in the legal system, and just what the life of someone in care might be like.
There are sympathetic characters - Charlene herself you just want to hug. Foster parent Annie is wonderful. I'd like to have had more time to explore Kandi and her dad, and there's a great supply teacher that a novel would have let become a bigger influence, one feels, but there wasn't time here for that.
Excellent Barrington Stoke title, with useful links at the end for young people in the legal system needing support.
For ages 12 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Barrington Stoke does give us the best writers and the best writing, in short form. Lawrence here gives what could have been a full-length novel, but in a tale that takes little over an hour to read and will definitely appeal to teens who can empathise with the anger and frustration Charlene feels.
Since the death of her mother, Charlene has been separated from much-loved younger sister Kandi, who is living with her birth father. Charlene herself is in foster care, currently with a foster-parent she can actually stand. She's far from excelling in school, quick to anger, and missing her sister, her knitting hobby keeps her cool and gives her focus.
The problem occurs when she decides to make her little sister a dinosaur blanket as a present. Explosive and life-changing actions result, with the reader probably shell-shocked to watch as Charlene's life suddenly reels out of control.
The play-on-words in the title may not hit the reader, but it's beautifully apt, and we do see how every action can and does have consequences. It's also a shock how young people might be treated in the legal system, and just what the life of someone in care might be like.
There are sympathetic characters - Charlene herself you just want to hug. Foster parent Annie is wonderful. I'd like to have had more time to explore Kandi and her dad, and there's a great supply teacher that a novel would have let become a bigger influence, one feels, but there wasn't time here for that.
Excellent Barrington Stoke title, with useful links at the end for young people in the legal system needing support.
For ages 12 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
August 20, 2024
Charlene is in foster care after her mum died, she and her sister got split up and all she wants is to see her. She knits to calm herself and wants to make the perfect birthday gifts for her sister a dinosaur blanket, but when her foster mums son comes home and destroys it, her down spiral begins.
This was really sad, she had so much built up anger, sadness and lonliness all being kept to herself. She lost her mum, got separated from her sister and moved from place to place all whilst all those feeling got pushed further down and the anger spilled out. It was so sad reading about Charlene struggling with it all.
I liked Annie and how she did her best to try and make her feel safe and comfortable there was only so much she could do to help as Charlene’s walls were held high, but Annie tried. I liked when she met Shelly and things were finally able to be freed from her mind, she finally felt safe enough and secure enough to share her inner feelings.
This is unfortunately a good representation of what foster homes and foster kids can look like, not in every situation but a lot of them. These kids get taken from place to place and things get worse and worse, in their minds and physically. Being split up also makes things worse and this story shows so many different sides to the system and how it can really effect a young persons mentality with the changes, the unfortunate lack of love and care they can be given.
A very good story, but very sad. Charlene went through a lot in such a short time, she really needed help with her anger and her feelings way before a lot of the incidents happened but no one tried to help her, leaving it all festering inside and getting worse.
This was really sad, she had so much built up anger, sadness and lonliness all being kept to herself. She lost her mum, got separated from her sister and moved from place to place all whilst all those feeling got pushed further down and the anger spilled out. It was so sad reading about Charlene struggling with it all.
I liked Annie and how she did her best to try and make her feel safe and comfortable there was only so much she could do to help as Charlene’s walls were held high, but Annie tried. I liked when she met Shelly and things were finally able to be freed from her mind, she finally felt safe enough and secure enough to share her inner feelings.
This is unfortunately a good representation of what foster homes and foster kids can look like, not in every situation but a lot of them. These kids get taken from place to place and things get worse and worse, in their minds and physically. Being split up also makes things worse and this story shows so many different sides to the system and how it can really effect a young persons mentality with the changes, the unfortunate lack of love and care they can be given.
A very good story, but very sad. Charlene went through a lot in such a short time, she really needed help with her anger and her feelings way before a lot of the incidents happened but no one tried to help her, leaving it all festering inside and getting worse.
March 18, 2022
Wow! Andy Gellenberg, the illustrator, has truly encapsulated the essence of Patrice Lawrence's book on the cover. It's a powerful book that is riddled with dichotomy. Charlene is a 15 year old back girl who has been taken into the care system following the death of her mother. Her younger sister Kandi goes to live with her Dad. We learn that Charlene has taken care of her little sister since she was born and there is a real maternal bond on the part of Charlene towards her sister, yet the two are not allowed to see each other.
Charlene is a voracious knitter and she both displays her emotions through her knitting but at times self soothes with the rhythmic action of the needles. Her foster brother is cruel and damages something very important to Charlene and her retaliation is serious, shocking and could change the course of her future forever. There is kindness shown from some whom Charlene interacts with yet others in contrast are hard and distrusting.
Saying sorry is a trigger for Charlene and she's certainly not about to say sorry just to make life easier for anyone including herself. There's only one person she wants to say sorry to and she fears she may not get the opportunity.
This book has you absolutely rooting for Charlene. You want to yell at the people who don't see what is happening to notice, you want to right the wrongs of her past, you want to be able to tell her it will be ok. You feel helpless and angry throughout the book and at times completely overwhelmed. There's glimmers of hope that keep you going. It's raw and gritty and brilliant. I highly recommend.
Thank you #NetGalley and #BarringtonStoke for this incredible eARC of #Needle.
Charlene is a voracious knitter and she both displays her emotions through her knitting but at times self soothes with the rhythmic action of the needles. Her foster brother is cruel and damages something very important to Charlene and her retaliation is serious, shocking and could change the course of her future forever. There is kindness shown from some whom Charlene interacts with yet others in contrast are hard and distrusting.
Saying sorry is a trigger for Charlene and she's certainly not about to say sorry just to make life easier for anyone including herself. There's only one person she wants to say sorry to and she fears she may not get the opportunity.
This book has you absolutely rooting for Charlene. You want to yell at the people who don't see what is happening to notice, you want to right the wrongs of her past, you want to be able to tell her it will be ok. You feel helpless and angry throughout the book and at times completely overwhelmed. There's glimmers of hope that keep you going. It's raw and gritty and brilliant. I highly recommend.
Thank you #NetGalley and #BarringtonStoke for this incredible eARC of #Needle.
April 18, 2022
Patrice Lawrence has once again written a gripping and poignant novel. Charlene is in foster care because her mother has died. Her carer Annie is kind and wise, but Annie’s son Blake wants nothing to do with Charlene. Worse still, Charlene is not allowed any contact with her half-sister Kandi who she was exceptionally close to; Kandi’s dad feels that Charlene is a bad influence. This makes Charlene feel desperately lonely and angry. When things go wrong, Charlene works through her emotions by knitting – it calms her when nothing else can. She is knitting a blanket with a dinosaur hood for her sister Kandi. But then it turns out Blake has a mean streak, and Charlene is pushed into the criminal justice system.
This is an honest and deeply empathetic portrayal of a complex teenage character for whom life has been cruel and unfair. Lawrence doesn’t sugar-coat or trivialise the experiences of her protagonists – instead, she brings us into their minds and realities while at the same time exposing institutional and societal failures. I felt so much outrage on Charlene’s behalf. I love the multi-faceted nature of Lawrence’s characterisation, evident even in a short novel like Needle – the motivations and emotions of both adults and young people are explored, with characters capable of change. There are no easy solutions or magic wands – but this reflects real life.
Needle is a powerful addition to the treasure chest of Barrington Stoke published books; these are accessible for reluctant and struggling readers, but contain mature and thought-provoking themes. I highly recommend Needle for Year 8+
This is an honest and deeply empathetic portrayal of a complex teenage character for whom life has been cruel and unfair. Lawrence doesn’t sugar-coat or trivialise the experiences of her protagonists – instead, she brings us into their minds and realities while at the same time exposing institutional and societal failures. I felt so much outrage on Charlene’s behalf. I love the multi-faceted nature of Lawrence’s characterisation, evident even in a short novel like Needle – the motivations and emotions of both adults and young people are explored, with characters capable of change. There are no easy solutions or magic wands – but this reflects real life.
Needle is a powerful addition to the treasure chest of Barrington Stoke published books; these are accessible for reluctant and struggling readers, but contain mature and thought-provoking themes. I highly recommend Needle for Year 8+
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