SuitabookYour Time Is Up
Sarah Naughton
- Reading
- The suspense is presented through alternating timeframes and viewpoints, so keep track of when each section occurs and whose understanding is being shown. If exam anxiety feels too immediate, pause between sections and talk afterwards.
- Themes
- Achievement pressure and parental expectations: Zaina is academically capable, grieving her father and determined to fulfil expectations connected with making him proud. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Secrets, assumptions and truth: Blood on examination papers, Chanelle’s absence and concealed events draw Zaina and other pupils into a search for what happened. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Grief and continuing bonds: Zaina’s father has died, yet remains emotionally present through his expectations and the fountain pen he gave her. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Worth knowing
- Consider whether the reader would welcome mature, high-stakes material before choosing it: the book includes sexual relationships, partying, alcohol, drugs, teacher–pupil abuse, physical assault, anxiety, depression and a parent’s death.