Barnsley-born author and former primary school teacher KJ Akay (born Jennifer Wragg), 81 is celebrating a breakthrough year in 2026, after her childhood memoir The Fruits of Victory soared to #1 in Amazon’s Regional UK Biographies chart. While the book reflects on her early life in post-war Barnsley, its success has paved the way for a deeply personal follow-up rooted in a new chapter of her life—Manchester.
Her latest memoir, Life Around the Sparrow, shifts the spotlight firmly onto 1960s Manchester, where Akay began her teaching career after leaving home. Picking up where her first book ended, it traces her move to the city and her experiences between 1965 and 1972, offering a vivid and unfiltered portrait of life in one of Manchester’s most hard-pressed communities.
Set around the now-closed Albert Memorial School in Collyhurst, the book immerses readers in the realities of inner-city Manchester during a time of social and economic struggle. Through Akay’s eyes, we see a young woman navigating independence in a tough urban environment whilst learning her vocation.
Already gaining strong traction, Life Around the Sparrow has reached #16 in Amazon’s Children’s Studies category, resonating with readers for its honest depiction of Manchester life and the formative experiences that shaped Akay’s much-admired career in education.
The book also highlights a unique family collaboration. Akay’s son, Natural Mr Universe Champion Ed Akay, is promoting the memoir through his PR brand, Midas Touch. Together, they are shining a light on a powerful narrative of resilience, community, and the city that helped define her future.
Both Life Around the Sparrow and The Fruits of Victory are available now on Amazon.
For more information, visit www.kjakay.com
Author KJ Akay, Says:
“I was truly overwhelmed by the response to The Fruits of Victory. It was especially heart warming to hear from my former pupils and even old school friends, now well into their eighties, who got back in touch after reading the book. Teaching was a career I loved, and I was fortunate to enjoy a long and rewarding career in the classroom. Life Around The Sparrow tells the story of how that journey began back in the ‘60’s and it has been a pleasure to document those formative years and share them with readers.”
