The Danger of Small Things

WINNER OF THE 2026 CHILDREN’S WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR FICTIONLONGLISTED FOR THE UKLA BOOK AWARDS 2027 (11-14 CATEGORY)NOMINATED FOR THE 2027 CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR WRITINGThe Handmaid’s Tale meets Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now in this page-turning dystopian YA, described by the author as a love letter to her daughter. In a world where bees are at risk of extinction, one girl fights for her own survival. Imagine a world where honeybees have died out. It’s a patriarchal world where famines are rife. It’s a world without art, without books, without plays. Girls are sent away from home, forced to pollinate crops by hand with brushes and to marry as soon as they can. Inhabiting this world is Jess and her friends Cass, Deva and Ruth. But even if one fourteen‑year‑old knows that the system is dangerous, can she really stoke a revolution?Incredible new voice in YA literature from a recognisable Welsh adult author.Strong environmental message – it has been predicted that if honeybees were to become extinct, humankind would have only four years to live. Hand pollination is already practiced in China, as an estimated 80% of China’s native wild honeybee population has already been lost.Empowering female friendships.​Caryl Lewis said: ‘As a beekeeper, I am acutely aware of the interconnectedness of everything and have long been frightened of how we, as humans, set ourselves apart from nature. We do not seem to understand that in destroying nature, we destroy ourselves. My daughter is growing up in what feels like a much more hostile environment facing climate instability, the rise of misogyny and the roll back of women’s bodily rights. I wanted to comfort and empower her and let her see that our greatest weapon in a floundering world is the imagination.’PRAISE FOR THE DANGER OF SMALL THINGS‘Lewis creates a compelling and claustrophobic world for her heroine to rebel against, but also understands the difficulty of maintaining hope and principles when desperate. The result is a story that is moving without veering into sentimentality, a novel that ultimately succeeds in feeling urgent but also beautiful.’ – Irish Times‘A compelling YA dystopia, marrying an urgent environmental message with a stirring feminist call to arms.’ – Guardian‘An elegant and unsettling look at the enriching power of art and what it means to be human.’ – The Observer‘A suspenseful storyline and lyrical narrative voice make this a standout.’ – Kirkus‘Powerful and thought-provoking, with shocking reveals and a race to the suspenseful finish.’ – Sarah Crossan‘A thought-provoking, masterfully crafted story. Heartbreaking and hopeful, The Danger of Small Things is an important read, reminding us that everyone has a duty to protect the world we live in.’ – Stewart Foster‘I'm reeling after this one! Incredibly powerful. Absolutely terrifying. Utterly and unforgettably brilliant. It's a masterpiece.’ – Eloise Williams‘Extraordinary. Unforgettable. One of the best YA books I’ve ever read.’ – Liz Hyder