📖 Overview
Ben Brooks is a British author born in 1992 who writes for both adult and young audiences. His work spans multiple genres including novels, children's literature, and non-fiction.
Brooks gained recognition with his early novels including "Grow Up" (2011) and "Lolito," the latter winning both the Jerwood Fiction Uncovered Prize and Somerset Maugham Award. His adult fiction often explores contemporary themes and youth culture.
His children's book "Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different" became an international bestseller, reaching both The Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller lists, and won the British Book Award for Children's Book of the Year in 2018. The success led to multiple follow-up titles in the series.
Beyond his books, Brooks has contributed to broader cultural projects, including writing for Frank Ocean's "Boys Don't Cry" magazine. His first adult non-fiction work, "Things They Don't Want You to Know," was published in 2020.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Brooks' fast-paced, experimental writing style and his authentic portrayal of young characters navigating modern life. His books resonate with teens and young adults who connect with the raw emotions and contemporary themes.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Fresh, contemporary voice
- Unconventional narrative techniques
- Relevant themes for young readers
- Complex character development
Common criticisms:
- Experimental format can feel disjointed
- Some plots lack clear resolution
- Writing style too scattered for some readers
- Mature content may be inappropriate for younger teens
Ratings:
Goodreads:
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different: 4.1/5 (13,000+ ratings)
Grow Up: 3.2/5 (800+ ratings)
Amazon:
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different: 4.7/5 (3,000+ reviews)
"Captures teenage voice perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer
"Too experimental and hard to follow" - Amazon reviewer
"Important messages but fragmented storytelling" - LibraryThing review
📚 Books by Ben Brooks
Grow Up
A coming-of-age novel following teenager Jasper as he navigates drugs, sex, and existential questions in contemporary Britain.
Lolito A story about a 15-year-old boy who develops an online relationship with an older woman, examining modern digital relationships and teenage life.
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different A collection of true stories about remarkable men throughout history who challenged traditional masculinity and changed the world.
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different 2 A second volume of biographical stories featuring more men who defied conventions and made unique contributions to society.
Things They Don't Want You to Know A non-fiction guide examining contemporary challenges facing teenagers and providing practical advice for parents.
Everyone You Hate is Going to Die An exploration of relationships in the modern world, examining love, family, and friendship through personal observations.
Lolito A story about a 15-year-old boy who develops an online relationship with an older woman, examining modern digital relationships and teenage life.
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different A collection of true stories about remarkable men throughout history who challenged traditional masculinity and changed the world.
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different 2 A second volume of biographical stories featuring more men who defied conventions and made unique contributions to society.
Things They Don't Want You to Know A non-fiction guide examining contemporary challenges facing teenagers and providing practical advice for parents.
Everyone You Hate is Going to Die An exploration of relationships in the modern world, examining love, family, and friendship through personal observations.
👥 Similar authors
John Green writes coming-of-age stories that deal with contemporary youth experiences and mental health themes similar to Brooks' early novels. His work balances serious topics with moments of humor and self-discovery, particularly in exploring teenage perspectives.
Jason Reynolds creates literature for young readers that challenges social norms and addresses real-world issues facing youth today. His writing style combines accessibility with depth, focusing on diverse characters navigating modern challenges.
David Levithan explores teenage relationships and identity through both traditional and experimental narrative structures. His books examine contemporary youth culture and LGBTQ+ themes with a focus on authentic representation.
Jeff Kinney produces work that combines text and illustrations to engage young readers while addressing social dynamics and personal growth. His books use humor to explore childhood experiences and social situations that young readers face.
Ned Vizzini wrote about teenage mental health and coming-of-age experiences with raw honesty and dark humor. His work addresses serious themes while maintaining accessibility for young adult readers, similar to Brooks' approach in his early novels.
Jason Reynolds creates literature for young readers that challenges social norms and addresses real-world issues facing youth today. His writing style combines accessibility with depth, focusing on diverse characters navigating modern challenges.
David Levithan explores teenage relationships and identity through both traditional and experimental narrative structures. His books examine contemporary youth culture and LGBTQ+ themes with a focus on authentic representation.
Jeff Kinney produces work that combines text and illustrations to engage young readers while addressing social dynamics and personal growth. His books use humor to explore childhood experiences and social situations that young readers face.
Ned Vizzini wrote about teenage mental health and coming-of-age experiences with raw honesty and dark humor. His work addresses serious themes while maintaining accessibility for young adult readers, similar to Brooks' approach in his early novels.