Images of Penguin's debut authors with graphics on a grey background

Debuts 2024 Hero image

Reading lists

12 of the most anticipated debut books of 2024

Ishi Robinson

&lsquo;Ishi Robinson&rsquo;s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaican life through the eyes of an appealing protagonist&rsquo;

I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson's narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors and humor to create a feast for the senses. This captivating tale will linger in your heart long after the final page. An absolute must-read

Abi Daré, bestselling author of The Girl With the Louding Voice

Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica

Charmaine Wilkerson, New York Times bestselling author of Black Cake

The word-of-mouth sensation that's making waves . . . A searing coming-of-age novel set in 90s Jamaica that tells the story of irrepressible Pumkin Patterson . . . This luminous tale with its infectious heroine is perfect summer reading

Vibrant, affecting and joyfully uplifting. I felt completely transported, and was cheering Pumkin along every step of the way!

Lucy Diamond, author of Anything Could Happen

A dazzling coming-of-age novel set in the 1990s, with an unforgettable heroine

A story of uplifting love and joyful Jamaican-recipes

Robinson is a tender and vivid writer, teasing out themes of identity, love, and the search for belonging. Sweetness in the Skin is a ode to the families we create for ourselves. Pumkin is a wonderful main character you are willing to succeed

Poignant and emotional, with touches of both humour and sorrow

Julia Quinn, bestselling author of Bridgerton

This story by Ishi Robinson is a contemporary novel about family struggles, learning French, and, my favourite: baking. If those concepts don't hook you, I don't know what will. Sweetness in the Skin is perfect for anyone looking for a good ol' coming-of-age story, as it follows a young, lovable main character.

Sweetness in the Skin is a tender exploration of familial love, both the family you&rsquo;re born to, and the one you find along the way. Robinson has written a treatise on the effects of colourism and class divisions that is heartbreaking and raw, yet joyful. This vivid story transported me to Pumkin&rsquo;s world through an excursion of the senses, the sights, the sounds, and especially the tastes of Jamaica, taking me back to the one journey I took to my fatherland and leaving me yearning to return.

Emotionally transportive. A story so rich and resonant I never wanted it to end. Pumkin Patterson has my heart as one of the most authentic and original voices I've ever met in the pages of a book. I loved her.

Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman

Sweetness in the Skin is a celebration of the Caribbean &ndash; our food, our language, and our people. I read this book with my heart in my mouth, hoping all of Pumkin&rsquo;s dreams would come true.

Breanne Mc Ivor, author of The God of Good Looks

Robinson&rsquo;s debut explores a variety of themes, including colorism, generational trauma, class, and ambition, through the eyes of plucky Pumkin, who is wise beyond her years. Her struggles are authentic, as are the friendships she develops with the people who help her along the way. Readers who were moved by Abi Daré&rsquo;s The Girl with the Louding Voice will be inspired by Pumkin&rsquo;s journey.

Pumkin is a resilient protagonist who handles the discovery of her own identity, while dealing with issues of race, wealth, and social status, with more grace than is expected of a teenager. Her &ldquo;never give up&rdquo; spirit will endear her to readers from the first page. This triumphant and emotional debut from Robinson is recommended for readers who enjoyed Charmaine Wilkerson&rsquo;s Black Cake or Yaa Gyasi&rsquo;s Homegoing.

Sweetness in the Skin is a mouth-watering delight of a novel, richly seasoned with the flavours, dialect and culture of Jamaica. Ishi Robinson's sumptuous writing is an utter joy, and the characters she's created are vivid and engaging. The twists and turns of Pumkin's quest to escape her predicament and realise her dream set my heart pounding as I raced to the satisfying conclusion. It's rare to find a book that's so thought-provoking, exciting and humorous in equal parts. A treat from start to finish!

A total triumph of a debut. Immersive and assured, with a central character you&rsquo;ll root for the whole way through and a fantastic sense of place. I loved it

Niamh Hargan, author of Twelve Days in May

A beautiful celebration of the Jamaican culture and people, as well as an uplifting coming-of-age tale about a brave, resilient and resourceful young girl who refuses to let anything hold her back

Fourteen-year-old Pumkin Patterson lives in a two-room house in Kingston Jamaica with her devoted grandmother, her beloved Aunt Sophie, and a mother who could not care less about her. When her conniving estranged father shows up Pumkin's only real escape is baking - while making sweet potato pudding and apple turnovers she can forget the fighting at home. 
 
When Aunt Sophie is offered the chance to move to France, she promises to send for Pumkin as soon as she can afford to. But when things take a turn for the worse in Pumkin's household, she's determined to raise the money herself. Her mother is determined to make her stay, but will her friends, neighbours and talent for baking be her escape?

Sweetness in the Skin

About us

About Us (Header 4)

Best-Jane-Austen-quotes_Online-Desktop_Penguin

James-Baldwin

Marian-Keyes

haruki-murakami-320×320-1

Richard-Osman

Malorie Blackman

Lisa-Jewell

Charlie-Mackesy

Authors (Header 3)

Children&#039;s

Company

Discover

Fiction

Non-fiction

Penguin Classics

Penguin Shop (Header 5)

Useful links

Work with us

The perfect gift? A Penguin Shop gift card

Ishi Robinson

Praise for Sweetness in the Skin

‘Ishi Robinson’s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaic ...

I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson's narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors ...

Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica

‘Ishi Robinson’s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaic ...

I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson's narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors ...

Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica

‘Ishi Robinson’s debut serves up a taste of Jamaica that will have you craving coconut drops, gizzada and sweet potato pudding . . . this engaging coming-of-age tale shows a challenging side of Jamaic ...

I cherished every moment spent with Pumkin in this mesmerizing and poignant exploration of familial love and self-discovery. Robinson's narrative is infused with passion, delicately balancing stunning flavors ...

Delightful. This tender, humorous, coming-of-age tale celebrates the flavours and language of Jamaica

Articles featuring Ishi Robinson

12 of the most anticipated debut books of 2024

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter