Sarah Crossan discusses her YA Book Prize-shortlisted novel, Where the Heart Should Be

“I always want to move my readers. That’s the goal, every time; to make them feel something, and hopefully, to leave a mark”

Author InterviewsJul 14, 2025by Caroline Carpenter

Sarah Crossan © David Myers

Caroline Carpenter

Caroline Carpenter is children's editor and deputy features editor at The Bookseller magazine, where she also writes the magazine’s monthly

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Sarah Crossan speaks to The Bookseller about her historical verse novel, Where the Heart Should Be (Bloomsbury), which has been shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2025.

Caroline Carpenter

Caroline Carpenter is children's editor and deputy features editor at The Bookseller magazine, where she also writes the magazine’s monthly

...more

What inspired Where the Heart Should Be?

I’ve always had a deep interest in Irish history – it’s part of who I am – and I’ve long been particularly drawn to the famine period. I think many of the colonial ideas that underpinned the treatment of Irish people then still echo in how certain lives are valued – or not – in the world today. At the same time, I wanted to write a love story. I’m a romantic at heart.

What do you hope readers take away from the story?

I always want to move my readers. That’s the goal, every time; to make them feel something, and hopefully, to leave a mark.

Which character in the book is your favourite, and why?

Nell, the protagonist, is my favourite. She’s clever, fierce, hardworking and passionate. She’s full of fire. I wanted to create a character who feels emotionally modern, even in an historical setting, and I hope readers will connect with her internal battles as much as her external ones.

What does it mean to you to be shortlisted for the YA Book Prize 2025?

I’m absolutely over the moon. I won the prize many years ago with One, and I’ve followed it ever since. I always read the shortlists. To be included again, especially alongside so many writers I admire, is incredibly special.

What do you think makes YA from the UK and Ireland stand out?

The sheer variety. Whether you’re into romance, crime, verse novels or contemporary realism, there’s something for everyone. I wish I’d had this much choice as a teenager.

Why do you write for young adults?

I was a teacher for 10 years, and I’ve always had a soft spot for teenagers. They’re brave and curious, and often see the world with a clarity that adults have lost. I love writing characters who are just starting to realise that the adults around them don’t necessarily have all the answers, and who are learning to make choices for themselves.

What was your favourite book as a teenager?

I was a bit of a weirdo back then! I adored Romeo and Juliet, and in some ways, this book is a nod to that idea of star-crossed lovers. I also loved The Pigman by Paul Zindel and everything by Judy Blume.

What do you need around you when you’re writing?

Silence. Any noise throws me off. A cup of jasmine tea helps. And definitely not my phone; it’s evil and clearly designed to waste my life.

What songs would be on a playlist for your shortlisted book?

I have a real love for traditional Irish music, the kind you imagine your granny listening to. When I was writing, I had Mo Ghile Mear and The Fields of Athenry on repeat. I also listened to a lot of Mary Black and Maura O’Connell. I do wish I were cooler, but there it is.

Which book, film or TV show would you recommend to a fan of Where the Heart Should Be?

Black ’47 is a brilliant and harrowing film about the Great Hunger – well worth watching. And if you enjoyed the verse style of the novel, I’d recommend any book by Louisa Reid.

Read the first chapter of Where the Heart Should Be for free and discover the rest of the 2025 shortlist on the YA Book Prize website.