When It's Your Turn For Midnight

The Spectator BEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS 2024
Five Books BEST NEW BOOKS FOR TEENS 2024

'Wars never end, they just change location.’

An exceptional, thought-provoking YA novel about sisterhood, trauma and the fighting spirit of women, from Zimbabwean author, Blessing Musariri.

When her Mama drops a bombshell, Chiante's world shatters. In Zimbabwe, bloodlines matter, so when Chiante discovers her Baba is not the man she thought he was, she flees. Seeking refuge in a secluded corner of Mutare with her feisty, stylish grandmother, Chiante finds solace in a sisterhood forged by bonds of war. This close-knit community of elders and ex-combatants are living their best lives: singing, dancing, drinking and running a successful fashion-upcycling business. But at the heart of their carefully-built world are secrets no one can give voice to.

As Chiante pieces together the puzzle of her family’s past, she wrestles with how sorrow seeps down the generations, and how hope survives all, obliging us to step up and live life to the full.

Powerful yet thoughtful, this novel about family, sisterhood and growing up gives a window into a young girl's inner turmoil and celebrates the courage of women. A worthy successor to Musariri's critically acclaimed YA, All That It Ever Meant The Bookseller, Editor's Choice
This book is propelled both by Musariri’s vibrant and compelling characters and her unfailingly beautiful prose... equal parts funny, emotional and reflective in its exploration of family, trauma, coping and the power of communication Children's Books Ireland
A thoughtful, lyrical novel, with a particularly welcome look at the world beyond the Global North Irish Times
This absorbing, layered YA novel is funny, charming and packs a hefty emotional punch Guardian
Extraordinary Spectator, Best Children's Books of 2024
This empowering and modern YA novel addresses themes of family, resilience and intergenerational trauma with sparkling prose and unforgettable characters. Highly recommended. School Reading List, Fiction Book of the Month
A love letter to the courage of women and a powerful and thought-provoking tale about family The Courier
A luscious read... There is excitement and mystery as Chianti begins to piece together a history which is hers and not hers. It is also a story of generational trauma, familial love and co-dependency and how everyone has to find their own way, but they need the support of others to do it Books For Keeps
[A] beautifully written novel that explores the complexities of family bonds, both biological and found Five Books, Best Books for Teens 2024
An exquisite read The School Librarian

Blessing Musariri is an award-winning author of short stories, children’s stories, radio and screenplays, and contemporary adult fiction. Her work has also been published by the Guardian, Granta, and Poetry International. Blessing lives in Harare, Zimbabwe.

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