News, Janice aka Miss Mad (31 May 2010). "UK Music News: Ty and Akala Official Support Acts for Nas and Damien Marley 'distant Relatives' UK Tour". MAD NEWS UK . Retrieved 17 April 2020. {{ cite web}}: |last1= has generic name ( help)

I also thought the poems were very iffy, but then again they are just meant to be the musings of a 15 year old?The slang was over use. Again. A way to slap you with Shakespeare. I understand that it was crucial to the time and somewhat for the story but I can’t help but feel that if all the Shakespeare elements were withdrawn from the story it would have been better. What I particularly liked was how Henry, the main character is given a chance to experience privilege and it shows how easily he is able to settle into his new position in the hierarchy now that it benefits him. I think this is something we can all relate to, since we all to some degree experience privilege at the expense of others and I like that the uncomfortableness of this is explored. It feels like you're missing something, and it makes it very hard to judge the stakes. No one seems to be either horrified or too impressed, and the world's axis doesn't seem to be tilting (as it would if these magical abilities were discovered even now, never mind in a time where people didn't know what a germ was). Should I be alarmed when Henry tells someone about his power? Apparently not. And if everyone else is acting so blase, should I be impressed either? Also, apparently not. Like another reviewer pointed out, the whole Shakespeare thing, and Henry's poetry, feel incredibly contrived and work poorly within the bounds of the story.

It was inevitable that poet, activist and author Akala would eventually turn his sights to writing for young adults, given his passion for education and turning young people away from a life of crime. This is the guy who once said, “It is so bloody expensive to put kids in prison, it is cheaper to send them to Eton!” It would appear he is doing what he can toward this premise by writing his young adults’ novel, which is entitled after Shakespeare’s Dark Lady sonnets. Henry looses his temper with mathew and punches him, after the fight he travels to Graham’s needle making shop. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19thed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p.18. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. I was a bit disappointed the reader didn't get to see the protagonist's mother properly. Didn't really clarify the role of Agnes and Joan and I'm not a fan of the ending but I still enjoyed it in places. I especially enjoyed what it was trying to do. Some would argue that using his mainstream appeal to young people as a tool to get them to read what is essentially educational historical fiction is very clever. Some would argue it will inspire today's youth to view Shakespearean language and culture with new eyes. However, I, someone who has lived and worked among London teens for many years say differently.Agnes finds out that Henry has punched mathew and tries to punish him but when Joan steps him, she’s told him to write 10.000 words for punishment, without his powers. Akala: Doublethink Interview (video)". The Orwell Foundation. 20 October 2010 . Retrieved 17 April 2020. In this story of hope and endurance, we follow a scientist and her team during their search for the elusive 'Giant Arctic Jellyfish'. In May 2017, he endorsed Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election. He wrote in The Guardian: "So why will I be voting now? Jeremy Corbyn. It's not that I am naïve enough to believe that one man (who is, of course, powerless without the people that support him) can fundamentally alter the nature of British politics, or that I think that if Labour wins that the UK will suddenly reflect his personal political convictions, or even that I believe that the prime minister actually runs the country. However, for the first time in my adult life, and perhaps for the first time in British history, someone I would consider to be a fundamentally decent human being has a chance of being elected." [49] Love the references to Shakespeare. The use of Tudor street speak is a great way of gently exposing YAs to the language of the period in an accessible way.

When an opportunity arises Henry is asked to take over the shop from graham which is making needles, but to Graham’s surprise will he take the opportunity?

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siriusgibson (27 September 2018). "Video: Akala's graduation speech". The magazine for Oxford Brookes alumni, supporters and friends . Retrieved 5 January 2021. And the thing is, because he has such a poorly defined personality, you really don't care much about Henry either. In fact, I found him rather irritating.