King of the Neuro Verse
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3 Months Free + £10 Audible voucher
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Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST.
King of the Neuro Verse
Narrated by:
Idris Goodwin
Buy Now for £7.98
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Narrated by:
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Idris Goodwin
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By:
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Idris Goodwin
Two starred reviews!
A Golden Kite Award Finalist for Young Adult Fiction
An “artful and introspective” (BCCB, starred review) novel in verse “celebration of neurodiversity wrapped in bars so tight they could stop traffic” (Shelf Awareness) about a Black teen with ADHD who finds self-expression and first love during one epic summer school season.
For the third summer in a row, Pernell is back in the classroom, facing the same struggles that have always made school seem more like a battlefield than a place of learning. This summer is different, though: he’s battling to become the Cypher King, leader of the lunchroom’s impromptu rap circles. Here, the rhythm flows and the words fly, creating a space where the wittiest and most rhythmically inclined reign supreme. Here, Pernell’s ADHD gives him an edge.
But life outside the cypher isn’t as forgiving. Pernell’s English teacher has it out for him. His parents are pressuring him to see a doctor for his lack of focus. And Electra, his friend-slash-crush and the only one who truly gets him, is too busy chasing her dream internship to give him the time of day.
If Pernell doesn’t pull himself together, he won’t just lose the title of Cypher King—he’ll lose his chance to graduate high school. In a world where the systems are turned against kids like him, Pernell needs to find a way to succeed with his ADHD, rather than in spite of it.
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Critic reviews
"Tune your ear to a rap beat and prepare for a great listen. It’s 1999, and Pernell, a failing high school student, uses a pen recorder to capture his thoughts for posterity in case the Y2K hysteria is true and civilization collapses. Author and narrator Idris Goodwin showcases the personalities of Pernell’s caring parents and friends, as well as an antagonistic teacher, through tone. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to determine who’s speaking, but Goodwin’s approach definitely works. Pernell is thoroughly likable. He’s smart but often derailed by ADHD. Rapping is his thing. He records his triumphs and struggles, including his attempts to be the Cypher King of summer school. Listeners will find that his sincerity and occasional self-doubts ring true."
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