Wrong Shoes, Doing Right by Offering Perspective- Book Review

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to work with a group of middle graders on a cross-border literary exchange. One of the books we explored was The Invisible by Tom Percival.

You might know Tom Percival from his popular Big Bright Feelings series — titles like Ruby’s Worry, Ravi’s Roar, Perfectly Norman, and more. But The Invisible, a poignant picture book about poverty and homelessness, stood out for a different reason. Midway through reading, I realised it was an 'own voices' story...Percival himself experienced poverty as a child. And perhaps that lived experience is what gives his new middle-grade chapter book, The Wrong Shoes, such raw power, authenticity, and emotional depth.

Narrated in first person by Will, a boy who starts by warning us that this isn’t a fairy tale — and that happy endings aren’t guaranteed, the story grips you from the very first line.

Will has the “wrong” shoes. Not Nikes. Not Reeboks. Not even proper school shoes. Just cracked, plastic-leather ones that let the rain in, the only pair his injured, unemployed dad can afford. The shoes, much like his life, are full of cracks where discomfort seeps in.

Kids at school call him “Poundland,” a cruel nickname that stings even more when a pound often feels out of reach.

I couldn’t put the book down — I found myself rooting for Will the entire way.

Will’s best friend, Cameron, lives a very different life. He comes from wealth, wants for nothing, and is a genuinely kind friend. Yet, for all his good intentions, Cameron simply can’t grasp Will’s world…the constant struggle, the impossible choices. And Will doesn’t always know how to accept help or explain what he’s going through either. The disconnect is subtle but telling.

One scene, in particular, stayed with me: a homework assignment requiring students to build a model. Will, who is deeply creative, simply can’t afford the materials, not when his family barely has enough for food. His teacher thoughtfully leaves supplies by the door for students who need them, but even that gesture… meant to help, comes with the heavy price of being seen.

That moment hit home. As someone privileged to be in a position to give, I asked myself: how often do our well-meaning actions end up being unintentionally patronising?

The Wrong Shoes doesn’t shy away from difficult topics…job loss, debt, loan sharks, gangs, shoplifting, and the quiet rage born from hopelessness. But throughout, one message rings clear: it’s never the child’s fault. It's the responsibility of adults…parents, teachers, society, to see the signs, hear the silences, and advocate for children like Will.

The black and white Manga-style illustrations only serve to underline the book's powerful message. 

For young readers, this story is a powerful reminder that doing the right thing is rarely easy, and that empathy often begins with understanding.

Some of my readers may see parts of themselves in Will. For others, this book will be a window into a life that’s both geographically and emotionally unfamiliar. I hope it opens their eyes and hearts to the quiet struggles of those around them.

Just as with my Literature Across Borders group, it’s easy to assume that poverty looks a certain way, especially when viewed from a context like India. A child who has a home, attends school, and has enough to eat may not appear to be struggling. But The Wrong Shoes, like The Invisible, challenges that perception and reveals the layers beneath the surface.

This is a powerful read…honest, heart-wrenching, and unforgettable.

You’ll be cheering for Will from page one. 

A must-have for every library shelf.

Wrong Shoes Book Review