Mikey's trainers are box-fresh Nikes. They're as white as new snow. White leather, white laces, white soles. But something on the right shoe catches my eye. It's a tiny circle. The size of a five-pence piece. It's bright, bright red. Blood.Matt's on his way home from a Saturday afternoon shopping in town. His mum sends a text to check if he's okay, as there's been a stabbing in Renton. When a strange boy takes the seat next to him on the bus, Matt starts to wonder if he might have had something to do with it…•Help Key Stage 3 students move from Level 3b to Level 3a in reading.•Support comprehension with the atmospheric, age-appropriate illustrations.•Encourage shared and guided reading using the ready-made tasks and discussion points on the activity pages at the back of the book.