Kagiso Molope's novel tells the story of thirteen-year-old Tihelo's hopes and dreams, her conflicts with friends and family, as well as her worries about her identity. All this takes place in 1980s South Africa: a time of school boycotts, stay always, bloody police crackdowns and hippos in the streets. Slowly, Tihelo becomes involved in the struggle for freedom. Through the riots, the death of a comrade, her sister's stay in hospital, her mother's time in jail, and her own brutal period in detention, Tihelo blazes out as a modern young woman with aspirations and ambitions, who will plot her own path to the future!

William McIlvanney's fiction is drawn from the lives and circumstances of the people of the West of Scotland, and is characterised by detailed observation, an accurate ear for language, wit and thoughtful reflection on living and working conditions. Laidlaw is a crime novel: its eponymous detective is both thoughtful and fallible, and the book can be seen as a precursor to the 'Tartan Noir' works of writers such as Ian Rankin. Beth Dickson's SCOTNOTE study guide provides a thoughtful analysis of the novel "Laidlaw" by William McIlvanney, its characters and its settings, for senior school pupils and students at all levels.

Exam Board: SQA Level: Higher Subject: English Two books in one! Combining a revision guide and a full set of practice test papers, this fantastic resource is all you need to revise for the exam. The revision guide * Covers all of the topics in the CfE Higher English curriculum, broken down into manageable chunks for easy revision * Clearly explains key concepts, research evidence and real-life applications * Contains Quick Tests to let students check their knowledge and understanding as they go along The practice test papers * Are in the format and the style of the SQA exam, giving students an opportunity to practice taking the Higher English exam Marking instructions and sample answers are provided online, so students can check their progress.