Description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE YOTO CARNEGIE MEDAL 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARD 2024
SHORTLISTED FOR THE JHALAK PRIZE 2024

MEET MC GROWLS, WANNABE RAPPER AND STAR OF THE SHOW IN THIS HILARIOUS AND HEARTWARMING TEEN DEBUT.

Yeah they call me Growls, I’m like a tiger on the prowl.
King of jungles so you better take a bow.
King of concrete so you better say it loud!

Shaun (aka MC Growls) is ready to drop his best bars and smash the competition at Raptology. That way, he’s convinced Tanisha, his crush, will finally give him a chance.

But when a livestream practice goes epically wrong, Growls’s dirty laundry is literally exposed. He’s finally achieved his dreams of going viral – not in the good way.

Now Tanisha won’t look at him, he’s the joke of the school and there’s no way he can show his face at the competition. Will he ever catch a break?

Then a new girl on the block appears who might be just the friend Growls needs. Especially when she points out that Raptology could be the answer to his problems after all. . .

STEP UP TO THE MIC! It’s MC Growls and he’s ready for this. He’s steady for this. It’s comeback season and they call him comeback king for a reason.

A hilarious debut from breakout star Nathanael Lessore, perfect for teen readers of Alex Wheatle and Jason Reynolds.

Publisher Review

Raw, real, fun and bold; I loved every word. This blazing debut is both laugh-out-loud and intensely moving. -- Polly Ho-Yen, author of BOY IN THE TOWER There are funny books, there are comical books, and then there's Steady For This. To say it was a joy is an understatement. Nathanael has created such a glow of happiness by brilliantly combining the awkwardness of teen life with a barrage of hilarious and heartfelt moments. Nathanael is a much needed fresh, funny and authentic voice. A true star in the making. Steady For This would make the most reluctant of readers fall in love with books. Everyone needs MC Growls in their life. -- J. P. Rose, author of THE HAUNTING OF TYRESE WALKER Hilarious and heartwarming, it's impossible not to love Growls and his raw, uplifting way of seeing the world. Deftly written and an incredible debut, STEADY FOR THIS is pure joy and laughter. -- Beth Reekles, author of THE KISSING BOOTH Crammed with outrageously hilarious wordplay, Lessore's exuberant debut for 12+ is a southeast London celebration of teen awkwardness, creativity and silly joy. -- Imogen Russell Williams * The Guardian *