Our top book picks this week: From skinheads to hipsters, the story of China’s youth

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Wish Lanterns: Young Lives in New China by Alec Ash

There are about 320 million Chinese in their teens and twenties. We learn about six of them here, from skinhead fashionistas to rural workers. Promises to be a gripping account of China’s coming of age. (Picador, April 21)

Little Warrior by Giuseppe Catozzella

Sania Omar is growing up in war-torn Somalia. But she dreams of becoming a world-class sprinter. Sania has a portrait of Mo Farah by her bed and makes the national team. But war soon encroaches and she is forced to flee to Europe. Based on a true story. (Faber and Faber, April 7)

They are Trying to Break Your Heart by David Savill

Marko is a Bosnian War survivor; Anya is a human-rights researcher, and her first love is William. These three people come together on the Thai island of Kao Lak. But the island may be home to another survivor of the Balkan war, with a dark past. Story of three people who get caught up in the 2004 tsunami. (Bloomsbury Publishing, April 7)

The Strawberry Girl by Lisa Stromme

Johanne Lien, a girl from a village, is hired by the wealthy Ihlen family as a maid. She is soon recruited by their rebel daughter to act as a go-between in her romantic pursuit of a controversial painter. Set in Norway in 1893, this is the story of the love affair that inspired Edvard Munch to paint The Scream. (Chatto and Windus, April 7)

The Envoy: From Kabul to the White House by Zalmay Khalilzad

From growing up in a traditional Afghan family to becoming US ambassador, this is a incisive look at the administration of George W Bush. Also includes analysis of the current problems facing the Middle East. (St Martin’s Press, April 12)

Girl Up by Laura Bates

This book about feminism for teenage girls comes from the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. It examines issues such as body image, relationships and the pitfalls of social media. It is also written in an accessible style. (Simon and Schuster, April 7)