Catherine Bruton Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Catherine Bruton is a critically acclaimed literary fiction author of several popular young adult novels.

Her novels have been nominated for several awards including the Carnegie Medal and “No Ballet Shoes in Syria” was named Sunday Times Book of the Month. I Predict a Riot, Pop and We Can be Heroes have been made into a family feature film.

Catherine is an author who writes on contemporary themes such as the London Riots, the refugee crisis, reality TV, immigration and recession in a heartwarming, funny and ultimately hopeful tone. Bruton’s novels have been described as compelling, wise and witty works that appeal to both young adults right up to the gray haired readers.

For her works, Catherine has sometimes been called one of the finest authors by the Guardian. Over the years, her works have made the shortlist for numerous awards and she has gone on to win several of these.

“Of Silence and Slow Time” her debut novel was first published in 2004.

Being the talented woman that she is, Catherine Bruton also teaches Drama and English at the King Edward School in Bath. Writing under her pseudonym Cate Shearwater, she is the writer of the popular “Somersaults and Dreams” series of novels.

In her teenage years, Bruton went to Oxford University, where she earned her degree in English. Since then, she has been donning multiple hats as a mother, children’s author and teacher.

As a teacher of English, she has had the opportunity to see first hand how stories can change young readers. She has seen many earners get their eyes opened, expand their horizons, which ultimately gets them asking questions and changes their perspectives about the world.

“No Ballet Shoes in Syria” is a beautiful story by one of the best authors in the genre Catherine Bruton. It opens to eleven year old Aya arriving in the United Kingdom alongside her baby brother and her mother. They are in the UK as refugees from the war in Syria.

She is thrilled to find the local balled class and is even happier when her exceptional talent is acknowledged by the formidable dance teacher. The latter believes she could be good enough to get herself a prestigious ballet scholarship.

In the meantime, Aya and her family need to find her father who they got separated from while they were journeying up from their home country. They also need to make a home for themselves and fight to be granted asylum in Britain.

With captivating and beautiful writing, Catherine describes ballet in authentic detail even as she showcases the rights of refugees. It is a classic story that is full of hope, warmth and humanity that perfectly balances triumph and tragedy.

“We Can be Heroes” by Catherine Bruton is a novel set in Coronation Road, best known for its kaleidoscope of parallel lives and clashing cultures. This is the place where Maggie and her political mother make their home in a massive house. It is also where Token and his mother have a tiny bedsit and live in constant chaos.

The latter have to always run from the trouble stirred up by the Starfish fang that happens to be the most ruthless in the neighborhood. As an amateur film maker, all Maggie wants to do is shoot her pictures. But when she meets Token, she believes he would be a great subject for the film she is currently working on.
When the Starfish gang causes violence yet again, Maggie gets the perfect backdrop for her film. But as the world goes up in flames, Maggie finds it impossible to be only a spectator behind the camera.

Set in the backdrop of the riots in London, it is a story that follows the lives of some three very distinct characters.

Catherine Bruton’s novel “I Predict a Riot” follows a young boy named Ben who lost his father to the September 11th attacks. At the opening of the novel, he has been sent to spend the Summer holidays with his grandparents since his mother recently fell ill.

She had suffered some form of breakdown over his father’s death and she cannot look after him. Jed his cousin is also staying at his grandmother’s place as his father sent him there when their marriage broke down.

When they meet Preeti, their new neighbor, they are involved in a number of dangerous situations including a kidnapping, suicide bombings and honor killings.
The work raises several issues including family breakdown, bereavement and race relations in a humorous way.