Almighty Teenagers

Make way for the almighty teenager. Long have we suspected that this awkward figure, lurking in the shadows is an underrated entity.

Here are two novels which pull him into the limelight. In Meg Rossoff’s There is No Dog the role of God has been designated to Bob, a typical teenage boy who approaches the task with all the expected sloth and reluctance, until he discovers one particular female human.

In The Odyssey of Samuel Glass the north-London protagonist travels to late 19th century Russia to come of age, sexually and politically.

For anyone who has ever been a teenager!

Bernard Kops is one of Britain's most celebrated and prolific authors. He has also written more than forty plays for stage and radio, nine novels and two autobiographies.

Meg Rosoff is the multi-award winning author of six novels including How I Live Now, The Brides Farewell and most recently, There is No Dog.

Amanda Craig is a reviewer, broadcaster adn the children's book critic for The Times. She is the author of six novels including Hearts and Minds and Love in Idleness.