‘Wonderland’ is a vibrant new young-adult verse novel set in 1980s Colwyn Bay. It forms part of Firefly Press’s ‘Firefly Modern Wales’ series which spotlights contemporary teenage life and the unique heritage of various Welsh towns and cities.

“Colwyn Bay, 1980. Sixteen-year-old Tamilola has moved up from London; everything’s different, everyone belongs except her. Then she discovers an amazing Northern Soul club at the end of the pier with its athletic dancers and rare records. But conflict comes with a rival nightclub.”

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I came into this novel not knowing very much about the Northern Soul scene apart from the odd video clip I had seen of some amazing dancers. Agabibi’s wonderful writing dropped me straight into the dance and fashion-fuelled world of Tamilola and her new-found friends.

Tamilola is an absolute force as she strives to find her place in her new home and possibly the rare record that just might save the pier’s beloved club.

I love everything: the vintage clothes shops, the record stores, the frenetic whirl on the Wonderland dance floor. after finishing, I immediately went online to try and find the legendary missing record Tamilola and her friends were hunting for!

I think readers going to love the throbbing beat of Agabibi’s verse in this short but intoxicating read. Recommended for readers aged 14+

Jo.

*Many thanks to Firefly Press for sending me this title to review*