LC Best Books

Ghostlines 
Ghostlines is about a girl called Tilda who lives on an island called Ayrie. When a new boy called Albie arrives, Tilda tries to make him feel welcome. Tilda and Albie come up with a secret plan to visit a nearby island that the local people think is unsafe. What I like about Tilda is that she went out of her way to make Albie feel welcome. I would recommend my friends to read this book. Overall, I will give it 4/5 because the story is adventurous and I really liked how Tilda and Albie had this beautiful bond which sparked.

Rutendo

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Funnily enough, The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody was my first ever Carnegie book! And I must say, I really did enjoy it, not only for it's silly way of catching attention, but for the way it caught the eye of even a younger audience. Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a book which sounds silly at first, and perhaps even for the much younger audience at first, but ends up being way deeper than you expect. The hidden message beneath it followed the story line of a Lizard who felt as if he doesn't matter nor belong in the big world, yet the different people he encounters teach him something valuable about confidence, courage, and appreciating who you are! Even though the main character is a lizard, the story feels super relatable. The book mixes humour with some surprisingly emotional moments, and the writing is really creative. The illustrations throughout the book were really helpful for setting the scene. It’s a fun, quirky adventure with a message that actually sticks.

Nina

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a sweet book. It follows Neon, who’s this awkward yet charming guy trying to figure out all the different stuff happening, whether that be love, life, and all the weird feelings that come with his life. I really enjoyed seeing the clear dynamics and connections between all the characters, and I'll be sure to look for more books written by Jason Reynolds! However, what I enjoyed MOST about this book was how realistic these characters felt and how the author did little switches between scenes by going backwards which is super cool because it showed the way his relationship with Aria unfolds. Overall, Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a must-read book and I think it's really insightful because it shows how even an younger audience is able to handle and comprehend such complex themes!

Nina

Popcorn
Popcorn by Rob Harrell is a fun book that light-heartedly approaches serious struggles like OCD and anxiety. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named Andrew Yaeger, who just wants to survive picture day with a decent photograph for his mum. Unfortunately, nothing goes well; he has an encounter with a bully and a disastrous science experiment. The more disasters happen, the hotter Andrew's little kernel of worry gets, and the closer it comes to popping into a full panic attack. I liked how this book was funny while still giving realistic advice and raising awareness for people who suffer from anxiety or OCD. I would highly recommend this book to anyone facing anxiety struggles, or to people aged 9–12 (though any age can read it!). Rating 4/5 !!!

Milana

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds was an enjoyable book even though it isn't the genre of book that I usually read. I enjoyed the idea that Reynolds travelled backwards in time which is a really engaging style of writing. It was also interesting how the book was written from a male point of view, as usually, romance books are written from a female perspective. This book represented a small community really well which was really enjoyable for me as the reader.

Mabel

Not Going To Plan
Not Going To Plan by Tia Fisher was a very enjoyable book that I finished quite quickly. I enjoyed the idea of a dual perspective and that you get to see multiple people's points of view on Marnie's situation. There was a range of techniques that were used that made my reading experience even better too. I would highly recommend this book as it gave the reader a rollercoaster of emotions, especially the scenes that portrayed events that are considered 'taboo' or unrealistic. This book would be one of my favourites of all of the shortlisted books this year.

Mabel

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
24 Seconds from Now is a beautiful love story told in reverse, beginning with the most important decision of their relationship to the moment they first met. It follows the story of Neon and Aria and is told in a humorous yet impactful way. Though it’s told in reverse chronological order, it’s very easy to follow. Everything links together eventually, making it a very satisfying story. All characters stood out to me—each their own unique person—with my favourite being Aria. Aria is gentle and reassuring. She allows Neon to be seen and heard without shaming his emotions and is appreciative of the little things he does. Throughout the book, it’s clear she values authentic gestures over superficial ones. It’s because of her that she and Neon have a healthy, stable relationship. Overall, the book was phenomenal. The creative storytelling made the experience memorable. I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a tender and wholesome love story.

Love

Birdie
Imagine finding your family after living in an orphanage all your life, only to find that you’ll never truly fit in because of the colour of your skin. This was Birdie’s heartbreaking reality when she went to live with her great aunt. Shunned and alienated, she found solace in an abandoned pit pony in the mines: Mr Duke. The story follows Birdie as she navigates the harsh realities of her new life. My favourite character would have to be Mr Walter. As one of the first people to accept Birdie and welcome her with open arms, his compassionate nature immediately separates him from the rest of the community. Overall, while it’s not a book I would usually pick up, it was a short and insightful read.

Love

The Boy I Love
'The Boy I Love' is a touching and thought-provoking story about the lives of gay men during the First World War. I think the author did a fantastic job of portraying a gay relationship without any stereotypes. I also really enjoyed the blend of accurate historical fiction and romance, and how seamlessly the two themes intertwined along the events of the book. Overall, 'The Boy I Love' was excellent– and I look forward to reading more of William Hussey's work in the future!

Ayanna

Not Going To Plan
Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher delivers a story that is realistic fiction and makes points on an important subject. The book follows the school life of Marnie, who gets into unwanted and unexpected trouble, but through her friends she sees the light in it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction as it delivers two points of view which lets the reader think and make questions and assumptions of what would happen and the course of events. This book is different from others on the longlist as it has different topics and the readers have to think more.

Orleta

Wolf Siren
Wolf Siren is a powerful story for ages 9+, but I really enjoyed it at 14. It follows a girl named Red, who lives in a strict, isolated village ruled by fear, superstition, and a mayor who uses that fear to keep everyone under control. Although the story is inspired by Red Riding Hood, it's different in its own way. The book focuses on daring to be different, questioning the rules you’ve been taught, and finding the place where you truly feel safe and understood. Red is my favourite character in the book. She’s strong, curious, and brave. She feels drawn to the woods, a place the entire town is forbidden to enter. What I love most is that Wolf Siren isn’t just a fantasy adventure. It explores themes like the environment and community. It also highlights the relationships that are important to her, her family and her friends. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy‑tale retellings, and stories with powerful and strong female characters.

Milana

Wolf Siren
The book Wolf Siren by Beth O'Brien is truly one of a kind. It retells the well-known tale of Little Red Riding Hood but adds a twist that makes the story interesting for the reader. While it is aimed at ages 9 to 14, it is to be enjoyed by people of all ages. The main character is a fierce young girl who acts and thinks how people do not want and expect her to do. She dares to be different, refuses to listen to what others expect of her, and constantly thinks for herself. This makes the book stand out from the other titles on the Carnegie shortlist, delivering a story that is unique.

Orleta

Wolf Siren
Wolf Siren by Beth O'Brien is an exciting retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with gothic and fantasy elements. The story follows a 13-year-old girl called Red. She lives in a village next to an enchanted forest filled with mystery and fear. As strange events begin to happen, Red is determined to unravel the secrets and discover the truth about wolves. I enjoyed the dark and suspenseful atmosphere of the novel and how Red grows into an independent character. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy-gothic novels because it is mysterious, thrilling, and full of adventure. This book would especially suit readers aged 9-11 and fans of fairy-tale retelling and mystery stories.

Zaynah

Not Going To Plan
Not Going To Plan is a beautiful blend of narratives that combine to make one of the most interesting YA books I've ever read. The themes were fascinatingly relevant, especially for those approaching adulthood, and it provided a really captivating and realistic outlook on topics like teen pregnancy and abortion. The use of character allows multiple opinions to be discussed; I really enjoyed how balanced it was as a whole. The plot, I think, is really well thought out as well— and, combined with the visual, poetry-like style of writing, it made for a wonderfully unique book. I also thought the individual characters were brilliant– especially the use of character foils (Zed and Marnie– as you'll see!). Overall, Not Going To Plan is a fantastic book– and I highly recommend it, especially for those who enjoy visual novels!

Ayanna

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
I really enjoyed Twenty-Four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds. I think the way it was written was really interesting and different to other books I’ve read. I liked how it showed the main character’s thoughts because it made it feel more real. I think some parts were a bit confusing, but overall I enjoyed it and I would 100 percentage recommend it to anyone.

Zaynah