THS Shadowing

King of Nothing
I liked this book because it showed how popularity isn't as important as being kind and making a difference to peoples lives. The main character really grew throughout the book as he became a better person and this changed how everyone reacted to him. I liked the way the characters developed because it felt like he was influenced at the start to be someone he wasn't and by the end he became a better version of himself. I loved this book, it had a good message and it was very relevant to my age group.

Eben

Play
This book really highlights the dangers of getting drawn into things that you know you aren't meant to do. The book was about drug use and the ending was very emotional. I really loved the character Johnny he was really innocent and he tried to do the right thing, I really connected with him. It was clever how the boys in the book normalised drug use but the writer made it clear it wasn't right. I loved this book because I really loved the character developments, it was a powerful read.

Eben

Glasgow Boys
Glasgow boys is about a pair of boys that are living in temporary foster care together, they are both such clear characters in your head you can easily sympathise with them. I immediately loved and related to the characters and cared so much about them. It is probably the best book I ever read, it is quite heavy though so if that's not your kind of thing don't read it, but if it is you must read it! It was a fantastic book so well written.

Eben

The Final Year
I loved how this book helps you relate to characters and how life can change at any moment. I think the main message is that everyone has a battle there fighting at to not judge a book by its cover as it may surprise you.

Jameela

The Things We Leave Behind
The things we leave behind was great but it was heavier than the 100 tonne weight in a roadrunner sketch. Firstly, I both hated and enjoyed how the author always had you on the ropes, they gave information about what actually happened to Clem but then it turns out that they were making it up to cope with the (much worse) real story. It felt like a gut-punch or more aptly, a gut-sledgehammer. I had to put the book down multiple times because I just had to let what was revealed sink in before continuing. I say this as if it's purely negative but that couldn't be further than my stance on it, everything felt so real because of it. Without those viscerally sad moments you wouldn't be reminded that the book is trying to present a future that could possibly be real. The driving force behind the book (Toby Knight's regime) is just plain scary. It parallels Nazi Germany in more ways than one: dobbing people in for going against really trivial rules, uniting the people under a common enemy (terrorist threats instead of Jews) and the absolute power of the leader. But instead of being in Germany in the early - mid 20th century, its in England set in the time period of now. It really makes you think that this kind of thing could-well happen here. Overall I did enjoy this book but it was hard to read.

Alexander

Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys is just really wholesome. It's not without dark character-shaping moments of course but on the whole both Finlay's and Banjo's journeys are really sweet. I really enjoyed the flashback sequences sprinkled throughout showing the slow creep towards friendship the two protagonists experience and even when they are ripped apart I never felt entirely hopeless, always rooting for the pair. The social lives of the two of them are also really realistically written: it's messy, embarrassing, mistakes are made and not always immediately forgiven but again, I was always rooting for them. Themes of substance abuse, attempted suicide and violence are handled in a way that they sink in and I understood what the author was trying to say without making it hard to read or too heavy. Overall, I just adored it, could just be because this is the first one I've read so far but it was just a good time.

Alexander

The Final Year
I don't usually like poetry but this read so easily. The variety of lengths and styles was an asset. I read it in one sitting. The book managed to include a lot of issues of the age group without feeling forced or heavy. The near death experience suggests being grateful for anything less than the worst. Even though they are child issues we face similar through life and the advice of 'every little thing will be alright' is a good philosophy. I was left pondering how the establishment helps people like Nate rise out of their beginnings. A really good read.

Sarah

The Things We Leave Behind
A challenging book to read. Setting it in a recognisable time with politics as it is presently left me feeling uncomfortable. The description of the journey to Scotland reminded me of stories set in ww2 but also of the channel crossings attempted most days. I didn't spot the twist. I found the fiction story in italics irritating and distracting from the main. Very thought provoking.

Sarah

Little Bang
Fascinating insight into opinions in Northern Island being 'behind' those of the mainland. The book expresses well the different impact pregnancy has on the different genders ( or those who are pregnant and their partners.) This may have had a different impact if the social standing of the characters had been reversed. Sid was already disinclined to formal education so 'dropping out'/'stepping up' was less impactful than it would have been if he had been an A* student aiming for Oxbridge. He 'couldn't' sell his guitar, Mel doesn't get so much choice. A good book for young people to read in my opinion.

Sarah

Little Bang
For me little bang was an amazing book that deals with the content brilliantly. It was really good in the sense it ended with the main characters happy again. It deals with abortion brilliantly and even add in some of the history from Ireland. It shows you how other people have felt during different situations that you may have experienced.

Jameela