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Steady For This

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Book Synopsis

Shaun (aka MC Growls) is ready to drop his best bars and smash the competition at Raptology. That way, he’s convinced Tanisha, his crush, will finally give him a chance.

But when a livestream practice goes epically wrong, Growls’s dirty laundry is literally exposed. He’s finally achieved his dreams of going viral – not in the good way.

Now Tanisha won’t look at him, he’s the joke of the school and there’s no way he can show his face at the competition. Will he ever catch a break?

Then a new girl on the block appears who might be just the friend Growls needs. Especially when she points out that Raptology could be the answer to his problems after all.

A hilarious debut from breakout star Nathanael Lessore, perfect for teen readers of Alex Wheatle and Jason Reynolds.

Our Review Panel says...

Shaun, aka MC Growls, and his best mate, fellow MC Shanks, is heading for global stardom as a rap star and raptology is just the first step in making that happen… at least that is what Growls likes to convince himself.

Then, after a cataclysmic failed attempt at live streaming, Growls’ life goes from bad to worse, and it seems even his “insane rap skills” can’t save him. Thankfully, his teacher Mr Rix, counsellor Karen, unlikely new friend Siobhan and even his brother (never his biggest fan) help him believe in himself again – but will even that be enough?

“Steady for this” is Nathanael Lessore’s debut novel, and has been multiple-award-shortlisted, including for a Carnegie award and won the Branford Boase Award 2024. Set in Peckham, and written in the broad dialect many living in that part of London, the novel brings out the joy and pain that can be found in living in a close knit community, the dangers and impact of putting your life online for all to see and the importance in never giving up hope even when things seem impossible.

Often “snort out loud” funny (read it in public at your peril), Lessore envelopes you in a world seen from the eyes of Growls, his touching naivety helps mask some of the pain that life is dealing him but when reality destroys even his optimism then faith in human nature is masterfully restored with a wake up call that all of us can make a big difference in someone’s life (good and bad) through what can seem the smallest of gestures.