Northern Soul by Phil Earle

First love is never easy. 14-year-old Marv is head over heels for new girl Carly. He doesn’t know what to do or where to turn – should he ask his best mate Jimmy or his croc-wearing dad for advice? He’s completely out of his depth and not sure either will be much help. Just when he’s worried about looking like a loser, an unexpected “love genie” drops into his life – in the form of music legend Otis Redding.

What follows is a hilarious series of plans (A, B, C, D…) to get the girl that keep ending in disaster. Can the power of music, the king of soul and a whole lot of bravery make Marv’s dream come true? Will he find his “soul” mate in the end?

Phil Earle has teamed up with Barrington Stoke to create the perfect book for teens trying to navigate those awkward first steps into romance. Completely charming and real (apart from the ghost of Otis Redding dishing out relationship advice and cheesy one-liners), Northern Soul will give young people a chance to laugh at themselves and realise everyone goes through these difficult moments of growing up. References to Otis Redding’s music provide a fantastic additional dimension to the story.

Recommended for age 11+, Northern Soul is one of Barrington Stoke’s brilliantly accessible books for teens. This is just the type of book Key Stage Three teachers and librarians are looking for – something a bit more grown-up but with manageable vocabulary and length. Everyone will enjoy this book, whether they need added accessibility or not.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for an early copy of this fun book!

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