King of Nothing

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025 WINNER OF THE SHADOWERS' CHOICE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025 WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025 SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 "Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian ANTON AND HIS FRIENDS ARE THE KINGS OF YEAR 9. They're used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he's about but that's the way he wants it - he's got a reputation to live up to after all. So when he gets into serious trouble at school, he doesn't really care, but his mum most definitely does. She decides it's time for Anton to make some new friends and join the Happy Campers, a local activity group. Anton would quite literally rather do anything else, especially when he finds out Matthew, the biggest loser in school, is also a member. But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton's life, Anton figures maybe this kid is worth a shot. Teaching him some game is the least Anton can do to repay the debt. As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was important. Does he want ruling the school to be his crowning glory or should he set his sights on better things? Perfect for teen readers of Alex Wheatle, Jason Reynolds and Patrice Lawrence. PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS : WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024 WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024 "Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy ." - Guardian " Funny, original and heart-warming ." - The Times "An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING : "Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers . . . an immensely readable book ." - The Observer "This teen comedy really is very funny , while also being meaningful and heartwarming ." - iPaper PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE : NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2026 SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARDS 2025 "Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now ." - The Times "The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable ." - The Observer " Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt , this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel from the Branford Boase-winning Lessore." - Guardian PRAISE FOR LIKE A BROTHER : SHORTLISTED FOR AND HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2026 THE TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Few capture the wisecracking energy of teenagers, quite like Lessore. Everything in this charming, sensitive novel about masculinity is played for laughs . . . A fresh and funny read ' - The Times 'Lessore uses humour to shed light on issues including homophobia and masculinity , and is brilliant on the messy, unpredictable business of being a teenager' - The Observer

WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK PRIZE FOR OLDER READERS 2025 WINNER OF THE SHADOWERS' CHOICE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2025 WINNER OF THE JHALAK CHILDREN'S & YOUNG ADULT PRIZE 2025 SHORTLISTED FOR AMAZON BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 "Rib-achingly funny, poignant, thoughtful and sly, Lessore's second novel confirms him as a uniquely talented writer." - Guardian ANTON AND HIS FRIENDS ARE THE KINGS OF YEAR 9. They're used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he's about but that's the way he wants it - he's got a reputation to live up to after all. So when he gets into serious trouble at school, he doesn't really care, but his mum most definitely does. She decides it's time for Anton to make some new friends and join the Happy Campers, a local activity group. Anton would quite literally rather do anything else, especially when he finds out Matthew, the biggest loser in school, is also a member. But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton's life, Anton figures maybe this kid is worth a shot. Teaching him some game is the least Anton can do to repay the debt. As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was important. Does he want ruling the school to be his crowning glory or should he set his sights on better things? Perfect for teen readers of Alex Wheatle, Jason Reynolds and Patrice Lawrence. PRAISE FOR STEADY FOR THIS : WINNER OF THE BRANFORD BOASE AWARD 2024 WINNER OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVERSE BOOK AWARD 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024 "Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy ." - Guardian " Funny, original and heart-warming ." - The Times "An engaging, positive and heart-warming read." - BookTrust PRAISE FOR KING OF NOTHING : "Confirms [Nathanael Lessore] as a major new name in writing for younger teenagers . . . an immensely readable book ." - The Observer "This teen comedy really is very funny , while also being meaningful and heartwarming ." - iPaper PRAISE FOR WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE : NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITING 2026 SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKS ARE MY BAG READERS AWARDS 2025 "Begins as Adrian Mole for the gaming generation and then becomes, through its big-hearted tale of one awkward teenager's split life between reality and the internet, the kind of book you wish that boy from Adolescence had read [...] A brilliant, heartfelt book about now ." - The Times "The blend of smart dialogue, believable characters and humour makes big issues immensely readable ." - The Observer " Hilarious, thoughtful and deeply felt , this is another superb 13+ contemporary novel from the Branford Boase-winning Lessore." - Guardian PRAISE FOR LIKE A BROTHER : SHORTLISTED FOR AND HIGHLY COMMENDED BY THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2026 THE TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Few capture the wisecracking energy of teenagers, quite like Lessore. Everything in this charming, sensitive novel about masculinity is played for laughs . . . A fresh and funny read ' - The Times 'Lessore uses humour to shed light on issues including homophobia and masculinity , and is brilliant on the messy, unpredictable business of being a teenager' - The Observer

A hilarious and heartwarming young YA comedy about an unlikely connection between two very different teen boys as they grapple with crushes, toxic friendships, and the true meaning of masculinity. Anton Charles and his friends are the kings of the school, and they rule with an iron fist, intimidating classmates and maintaining a reputation built on fear. But at home, Mum reigns supreme, and after one too many detentions, she cuts off Anton's internet and decides it's time for a serious change. She signs him up for the Happy Campers, a local activity group, and Anton's worst nightmare becomes a reality: Matthew, the school's biggest dork, is in it too. Anton can't imagine anything worse than spending weekends sewing and singing campfire songs with Matthew and his band of geeks--how will he ever keep his reputation intact if anyone finds out? But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton's life, everything changes. As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was true. Maybe there's more to life than what his friends think of him? Maybe it's time to rethink what being a "man" really means? And maybe there are some things more important than being king.

A hilarious and heartwarming young YA comedy about an unlikely connection between two very different teen boys as they grapple with crushes, toxic friendships, and the true meaning of masculinity. Anton Charles and his friends are the kings of the school, and they rule with an iron fist, intimidating classmates and maintaining a reputation built on fear. But at home, Mum reigns supreme, and after one too many detentions, she cuts off Anton's internet and decides it's time for a serious change. She signs him up for the Happy Campers, a local activity group, and Anton's worst nightmare becomes a reality: Matthew, the school's biggest dork, is in it too. Anton can't imagine anything worse than spending weekends sewing and singing campfire songs with Matthew and his band of geeks--how will he ever keep his reputation intact if anyone finds out? But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton's life, everything changes. As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was true. Maybe there's more to life than what his friends think of him? Maybe it's time to rethink what being a "man" really means? And maybe there are some things more important than being king.