The Books
The Fights that Make Us
ISBN: 9781839942730
Reviews
Diana - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I liked how passionate this book was - it sounded like Jesse really cared about the cause she was fighting for. I also liked how the chapters flit back and forth between decades. Things I didn't enjoy as much were the way that Lisa's diary just ended, relying on the other characters to tell it, but overall it was a good book.
Elizabeth - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
This book was very well written and I enjoyed reading it. Personally, I think this topic might be a bit too sensitive and grown up for children's book of the year. Still quite interesting though!
Zoe - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
It wasn't really the book for me, but the history was interesting and the charaters had interesting stories.
Charlotte - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
An amazing book, I never knew that I was so interested in the history of LGBTQ+. I learnt so many things, the life lessons in the book were ones I had never thought about before. I really enjoyed it.
Susan - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I personly didn't like this book but I would recomend it to people who want to know the older sides of the LGBTQ+ comunity, I loved the storyline, the strugles in the book and the detail!
Tabi - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
The Fight That Makes Us was very inspirational and very eye opening. I have given this 3 stars because I would not normally pick a book with real facts in it but it was a amazing book overall.
Jenny - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I enjoyed this book. I really liked learning about LGBTQ+ people and how some people do not appreciate them. The reason I gave the book a 4 not a 5 was because I sometimes got Lisa's story and Jesse's story mixed up. Sometimes thinking Kayleigh was Simran's mum. I would love to learn more about LGBTQ+ people.
Erin - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I really enjoyed this book, as it shows the cruelty of the real world. I would definitely recommend it. A good read!
Annie - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
Personally I liked this book, because it showed the struggles of lots of communities, while still being fun and relatable for kids our age. Although I don't usually read this style, I found it very interesting. Great read!
Emma - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I found this book very interesting and found it very fun but the change between the caracters perspectives were a bit confusing at times. This is why I prefer their book Proud Of Me.
Temi - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I don't usually read these types of books but it was quite interesting on seeing the perspective of someone that is part of the LGBTQ+ community and what they may have to go through in everyday life.
Esme - Bramcote College - 2025
A feisty story about LGBTQ+ history and how it has changed the lives of many people around the world. I loved seeing the characters evolve and change as the story went on and I never wanted to put the book down. This book made me feel angry, excited and annoyed. I learnt many new things from this story, and I was especially happy that the ending made me feel satisfied. 'The Fights That Make Us' delved deep into the characters' opinions and thoughts , and so I felt that I was close friends with the characters. I would really recommend this book to readers around 10-14 who are either LGBTQ+ themselves or are curious allies who are new to the prospect of things like section 28 and want to learn more.
Amaira - Bramcote College - 2025
This book does not particularly stay in my mind as I don't relate to the issues this book acknowledges. I still think it is a brilliant book though.
Lilah - Bramcote College - 2025
This book really helped me to understand the struggles of LGBTQ+ people back when it was illegal to be them, and even now! I loved the double story lines and the characters were so full of life. The descriptions of the main characters [Jesse and Lisa] were so full of fighting spirit, I wish the whole world's attitude could be like theirs. I suggest reading the author's note at the end, it really fills this book with meaning. The only thing I'd say is that I want to know a bit more about the side characters.
Bethan - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
Brilliant! Funny and kind of relatable. I loved it. Would highly recommend
Charlotte - Bramcote College - 2025
Although this book wasn’t the best book I have read, I still enjoyed reading it. A story of life and who you are, Normal life in a story, ups and downs, overcoming hard times, to discover your HISTORY. In the fights that make us!
Milena - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I really loved the power and the story within the book. It also showed how many people are close minded and how we need to open their minds. It was an awesome book overall!
Emily - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I quite liked the story of the book and how it's about what happened to LGBTQ+ people and what is still happening now. The story of it was very easy to understand and so was the meaning.
Hareem - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I don't normally read books on this topic, but seeing the experiences LGBTQ+ people go through was very moving. I would recommend this to people who are interested in the topic. It was well written.
Maria - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
It wasn't the book for me however at the same time I found it incredibly interesting and I learned a lot about LGBTQ+ from it.
Yishan - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
The book is good, but it is not for me, I still learnt lot about LGBTQ+
Imogen - Bramcote College - 2025
I love this book it has a lot of emotions explaining the past of the LGBTQ+ community and how people act around them .
Robyn - Bramcote College - 2025
This book is really enjoyable read reflecting on the past and the present of the family after Lisa's death. One of my favorite bits is when Jessie and her friend are chucking Maltesers at each over on a park bench
Taylor - Bramcote College - 2025
I LOVED this book!!! I loved how special it is and the story of it I think he really need more stories like this. I really liked how through out the book Jesse was becoming more and more confident. Thanks to the author for this amazing book.
Jocelyn - Nottingham Girls High School - 2025
I really enjoyed the book and I feel like it was a good book for me. I liked the backstory of Lisa and Jesse as a character. It inspired me to protest for LGBTQ+ rights just like Jesse.