THE FIGHTS THAT MAKE US
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Warm-hearted and powerful story of friendship, family and standing up for what you believe in for 10+ readers. Set now and the 1980s.
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Winner of the Polari Prize for Children & Young Adult books 2024 and the Little Rebels Award 2025, shortlisted for the Brilliant Books Award, the Young Quills Award for historical fiction and for the Diverse Books Award, and Highly Commended for the Oxfordshire Book Award.
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Books for Keeps: Ten of the Best Books to challenge what happened in the UK this August and selected for the Empathy Lab 2025 collection.
"This story hit home for me, personally - like Jesse and Simran, I’ve fought bitterly against homophobia and transphobia in my school. They remind me a lot of my Year Eight self. Thank you for writing this funny, sweet, inspiring book. I hope to one day write a story just as powerful." Grace, aged 16
"It's the fastest that I've ever read a book. I am so glad this book exists, because it's so true and beautiful and informative.” TB, aged 11
what's it about?
If you found someone's diary, would you read it? What if that diary was written over 30 years ago?
There's a mystery in Jesse's family, and when they discover their long-lost cousin Lisa's diary hidden in the attic, Jesse is determined to get to the bottom of it.
As Jesse uncovers Lisa's story, and learns about the campaign for LGBTQ+ equality and against Section 28, they see parallels to the struggles they face today.
When their teacher, Mrs Knight, prevents Jesse and their best friend Simran, from sharing these stories as part of their history project, the two friends take matters into their own hands.
why did i write it?
I grew up in the 1980s, and later came out as gay. Over the years, I've learnt about Section 28 - the 1988 legislation which caused huge damage to LGBTQ+ young people by preventing 'the promotion of homosexuality' by local authorities, including within schools.
I'm hugely inspired by people who campaigned against Section 28, and the way in which fighting this policy brought LGBTQ+ people together.
I'm also aware that today, we are again facing an increase in homophobia and transphobia, and it's up to all of us to fight back.
Lisa's story, and Jesse's too, aim to bring these struggles to life and show that we can all make a difference.