FGCS Carnegies 2025

Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys was honestly an amazing book to read, like I was not prepared for it to be honest. Two boys, one still figuring out what to do in his life, whilst the other is slowly figuring his identity out. It dives into mental health and how hard it can be to just be yourself sometimes. The way it is written feels super natural and its like you are in the minds of the characters itself; nothing feels fake or forced, just real. The characters? You will get attached to them fast, character development and everything. If you prefer stories that are deep, emotional but still making you feel grounded and not overly dramatic, this book is a MUST to read. Overall 10/10 to read and I would recommend this book to 13+ due to mature topics but other than that everyone needs to read this book, it is a life changer.

Hamida

All That It Ever Meant
All That It Ever Meant doesn’t beg for attention — it earns it. Quiet on the surface, brutal underneath. Every sentence walks like it’s innocent, then hits like it’s been waiting to break something. The story’s slow pace is a trick. It draws the reader in with stillness, then slowly drowns them in grief, identity, silence, and the weight of unspoken pain. No unnecessary drama, no emotional fireworks — just truth so sharp it cuts clean. Characters don’t perform. They exist. And that’s what makes them hit so hard. Everything unsaid speaks the loudest. Every pause carries tension. This book understands what it’s like to carry more than you show. It’s not for readers chasing chaos. It’s for the ones who can sit with a quiet storm and still feel the thunder. Final verdict: 5/5. Quiet. Brutal. Unskippable. **Recommended for ages 13+** —because the emotional weight needs a bit of life experience to really land. Best suited for readers who like reflective, character-driven stories that go deep on topics like grief, culture, and growing up without spelling everything out.

Aminah

The Things We Leave Behind
The book The things we leave behind represents Clem (who is 15) and Billie who is her younger stepsister. They live with their father and step mother. They begin their hazardous journey just to become safe. Forced to push through obstacles and while the new prime minister tries to push his people out of the country. Unfortunately, their stepmother gets arrested and the father then joins the resistance however he gets arrested as well. Billie and Clem have to fight through and try escape via train in a large crowd. The ending wasn't as fortunate. It highlights the dangers of refugees and makes us imagine what it would be like to be in Clem's shoes. However I really enjoyed the book and I would rate it a 9/10. I would recommend it to 12-14 year olds

Leila

The Final Year
There was nothing in this book I didn’t love. The writing style, the plot, the characters - everything was spot on. The book introduces us to Nate, a boy in year 5, about to move into year 6, ‘the final year’ of primary school. With Nate’s interesting family dynamic, his friendship struggles, his brother's illness, and SATs looming around the corner, we are immediately thrown into the rollercoaster which is his life. During this, we get to experience it with him: the short verse poems give the feeling that is mature, but the chaotic layout emphasises that he is still a child with strong emotions. It’s addictive and feels so easy to read. The pacing is perfect and the plot is clear. I would totally recommend this book for anyone really, but especially year 5 and 6. There is a sequel about him in year 7, which is just as good, that I’d definitely recommend after this book. Please, go read this book, you won’t regret it!

Eloise

King of Nothing
This story will stick with me forever. King of Nothing is a heart-warming and powerful story that mixes serious topics like grief, gang pressure, and toxic masculinity with humour and real emotion. Anton, the main character, feels like he has to act tough because his dad’s in prison, and he’s trying to keep up his image with his crew — Marcus, Caleb, and Kehinde. But everything changes when he meets Matthew, the so-called “loser” at a support group. Their unexpected friendship helps Anton see that being feared isn’t the same as being respected. I really enjoyed watching Anton question the choices he’s made and start to become his true self. This book teaches important lessons about friendship, identity, and how being kind takes more strength than acting hard. I think every teenager should read it — especially boys trying to figure out who they really want to be.

Umar

The Final Year
You know a book is serious when you blink and suddenly it’s 2AM and you’ve finished the whole thing in one go. The Final Year doesn’t waste time — it drops you straight into the chaos of deadlines, friendship drama, and that weird mix of freedom and panic that comes with your last year of school. What stood out? The realism. No fake, perfect teen tropes. The characters are messy in the most relatable way — trying to act like they’ve got life figured out while secretly freaking out like the rest of us. Every scene felt like, “Yeah, I’ve been there.” The pacing? Fast but not rushed. Emotional without being mushy. It knows when to hit you with a moment and when to chill. It’s got tension, banter, awkward moments, and those quiet bits that hit harder than any big speech. Solid 5/5. Would 100% recommend — especially if you need something that’ll make you feel seen and entertained, especially for those in year 6.

Aminah

Play
The split narrative between the friends meant you got to see the thoughts and feelings of every single character in depth and added a whole other layer to the ending. However, the book focused mainly on Mark which made it feel like Luc had no proper character development and Matt's narrative only really started at the very end of the book and was basically cut short.

Afrin

Treacle Town
It was a great book with fleshed out characters and a nice plot but the constant swearing and slang made it hard to follow sometimes.

Afrin

Little Bang
Little Bang is a remarkably poignant and elegantly understated novella that delicately explores themes of grief, familial connection, and personal resilience. Despite its brevity, the narrative possesses an emotional depth that lingers long after the final page. The author’s prose is both lyrical and restrained, capturing profound sentiments with subtlety and grace. Each moment feels intentional, evoking empathy and reflection without overwhelming the reader. The characters are rendered with quiet complexity, allowing their experiences to resonate in a deeply human way.

Aminah