Treacle Town

A heart-warming story about taking opportunities when they present themselves.

Arlo

Crypt Bookworms

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is a book filled with raw emotion, about Con O’Neill, an 18-year-old teenager struggling with the murder of his friend and his mother’s suicide and trying to escape gang violence. Conaghan gives readers a brutally honest view of what it means to grow up surrounded by violence and hopelessness. Con’s discovery of slam poetry is like a breath of fresh air and gives a sense of hope. The scenes where Con begins to find his voice through poetry are probably the most powerful in the book. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, filled with the slang and dialect – although I didn’t really like it as it made the book harder to read, it does help with painting the image of Coatbridge, Scotland (where the book is set) and showed how harsh the place was. Conaghan’s writing effectively captured the bleakness of the setting and the complex characters. Overall, I didn’t really enjoy reading Treacle Town that much, but the message was strong. I rate it a 5/10.

Zainab

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Treacle Town was an experience drenched in raw, unfiltered emotion. It follows the story of Con and how he struggles to escape gang violence in his community. The themes covered in this book aren’t the typical “courageous adventures” we might expect, but instead depict the harsh realities of teenagers living in disadvantaged areas. This is important as it interprets real world stories of those who can’t tell them. Gang culture, violence, swearing, and bereavement are prevalent themes in Treacle Town. The book starts slow, but the plot develops quickly, and I was hooked. I’d recommend this novel to readers over the age of 14, due to the strong language used and the reading level. Although Treacle Town is written in dialect, which made it difficult for me to understand at first, it was an entertaining read. -Saara

The Lotus Readers

It was hard for me to get into the book properly at the beginning, as it was quite unclear to me what was happening. Some words were hard to understand, as it is based in Scotland and Con uses slang, therefore the poems weren't that powerful to me as I can only guess the meaning. However, the plot was moving as Connor and his father were growing apart since his mother's suicide, not spending time with each other. Connor's friend Mark was killed by another gang, and Trig the 'leader' of their group wanted revenge. No one was up for it and there was an element of peer pressure. Con then found out about SLAM Poetry, and felt that it was something he wanted to do, and on the day of the revenge, he and Nails went to do a workshop. This however, ended in Trig's death, but Connor was ready to get a job and pursue his path outside of Treacle Town.

Mila

Beauchamp Champs 2025

I quite enjoyed this book because it tells us what the reality is of being in a gang and trying to escape the life of violence is. I find it interesting how the main character,Con, finds hope in slam poetry, using it as a way of expressing himself. Even thought the starting was a bit slow the ending made up for it. I would rate this book 5 stars.

Inaayah

Beauchamp Champs 2025

'Treacle Town' by Brian Conaghan was a unique read that really put into perspective the differences between underprivileged communities and people who live in more fortunate areas of the world. I really enjoyed the character development of Con, who went from being 'with the gang' to seeking an escape from the poverty-stricken life he has experienced so far. I was also intrigued by the choice to present Biscuit as a smart and ambitious individual and then to have him be the victim of gang violence, which really shut down for me the stereotype that people in those areas live like that through a fault of their own and 'if they applied themselves more it wouldn't be that way'. Overall, I really enjoyed this book but recommend it for slightly older readers as the topics were quite heavy.

Kristina

Brooke Weston Book Busters

I enjoyed reading Treacle Town however I did prefer other books in the shortlist. I thought it was written very well however sometimes some of the dialogue was a bit difficult to understand at first but I did like how it made the story seem more real in some ways or come to life. I also liked how his opinion about where he lived and his 'treacle town ' changed over the length of the book. As he thought more about what he could do to get himself out of his town and do something he really wanted as he discovered slam poetry Overall I thought it was a very good book and would recommend it.

Evie

STAGS Shadowers

Honestly, I adored the subject Treacle Town gives light to: the inner city. It talks about opposite themes, melting them together. It was the first time I read a book of this style, and my first impression is positive! During the last month, I struggled to find time to read but by the time I had opened the novel, I was in it, and it was very engaging! It is usually hard for me to enter into a book's world and this time, from the beginning to the end, I was intrigued. I learned a lot from this book: for instance, that behind a strong man can hide a broken heart… But I prefer for the next ones who will read the book to interpret it their way and have their own point of view. It is when you read the end twice that you know you loved the book and, it is what I have done! Treacle Town is a harsh but poetic, barbaric but sweet book.

Juliette, PMC

4Shadowers

Although the author presented it rather well, I didn't like the beginning. Immediately, we're thrown into Coatbridge where all the words are substituted for slang that I don't understand. It took me a long while to get used to it. Also, I struggled with the motivation to read it. However, towards the end I did start to enjoy it. I quite liked PaulaTik and the other slam poets. The relationship between Connor and his dad got better. Overall, my experience of it was an uphill struggle that came to a pretty good denouement.

Phoebe

Ousedale Shadow Chasers

Another cracker of a read! This has to be one of the grittiest YA novels I have come across. Con lives in Coatbridge outside Glasgow in a state of hoplessness. His mum hanged herself when he was 14 and he was first on the scene in the hopeless situation of not being tall enough or strong enough to lift her down. His father hides his grief and loses himself in protein shakes, grilled chicken and body building. Like Con, his friends Biscuit (Mark), Nails (Jodie), Wee Z (never given a name) and Trig (Liam) have left High School before 6th form and exist on their weekly giros. They have no future, no hope and feel trapped in Treacle Town, The story opens with a funeral and ends with another after Trig and Wee Z seek revenge after Biscuit's murder. Con discovers slam poetry and the freedom it can give him to express his feelings, Nails is secretly training in martial arts and looking for a lottery grant to help fund her future. Trig and Wee Z don't seek anything except violence and gang warfare, they can't see beyond it. There is hope for both Nails and Con by the end of the book, Con has a job as a lifeguard and attends a poetry group where he has shared Biscuit's writing about Treacle Town. He also has a better relationship with his dad. Highlights were the slam poetry inserts exposing the thoughts and feelings of their writers. The language is 'colourful' to say the least but you can't tell this kind of story without it.

Mrs. P

Cake a Book Club

I was intrigued by the subject matter; gangs, drugs, violence. Admittedly, it did take me a while to get into, partly because I didn’t give it enough of a chance. I managed to read the second half of the book in under an hour. It was difficult to get into at the start, because of the language. Slang and dialect made the storyline difficult to understand, but once I’d adjusted, the book was fast-paced and easy to read. I did really enjoy this book! Treacle town dealt with difficult situations, and I found this insightful at times. The characters were very different to me, which is what makes these books so eye-opening and interesting. I also enjoyed reading more about Slam Poetry, and how this impacted everyone’s lives. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It managed to get me out of a reading slump, and spark a new interest in slam poetry. 5 stars, a very good read.

Lucy

Ousedale Shadow Chasers

Treacle Town has a good story with good poetry. However, the story takes a while to pick up, this makes it quite boring to begin with, and by the time it gets to the more interesting parts of the story I had already lost interest. Therefore, I give it only 6/10

Anonymous

St George’s Dragon Readers

“Treacle Town” by Brian Conaghan is about a teenage boy called Con O’Neil who wants to escape the gang violence and terror in his town after one of his closest friends is murdered. It seems that the community is hopeless and uninterested in the wellbeing and safety of its youth. Con has a lot of problems to deal with, and I did find the imaginary conversations with his mum quite saddening. I could tell that the mum committed suicide early in the book from the conversations and I think she helped guide Con to do something better with his life while he navigated his feelings of grief. I felt sorry for the dad because the mum’s death had quite a heavy impact on him and he tried to hide his suffering from Con by crying silently during the night. Eventually, Con finds escapism and a way to release his emotions through slam poetry. Although it was a genre I wouldn’t usually read, I think it was interesting to learn about Con’s situation. However, I also think the swearing was excessive and that the language was difficult to understand at times and caused the plot to be less engaging for me. For these reasons, I rate it 2/5 stars.

Hannah

Augustine’s Carnegie Challenge

Great idea for a story. Loved the idea and the characters, especially Nails. It was eye-opening and sad to hear about the lives of teenagers in Glasgow’s poorest housing schemes in the 2020s. It doesn’t sound like things have improved for them in the past 50 years, which I hadn’t realised. I liked the beginning and the ending best. I think the main body of the book could have used some serious pruning and restructuring as it became a bit like wading through treacle itself. Also, for the non-Scots, a glossary and a bit of background detail? An interesting read but not an enjoyable one.

Mrs M

Blake Book Buddies

Treacle Town is about a boy trying to escape his difficult life and the problems that come with living in a small town. I found the setting interesting, and I think the author did a great job of showing what it feels like to be stuck in a place where nothing really changes. Some of the characters were really well written, especially the main character—I could understand how he was feeling and why he acted the way he did. One thing I didn’t like as much was the amount of swearing. There was a bit too much for me, but at the same time, it made sense for the story because it showed the emotion of the characters and the tough environment they grew up in. Some chapters felt a bit slow and didn’t seem that important to the plot, so the story didn’t stay with me as much as I hoped. Still, I liked the author’s writing style and how the book explored real-life issues like family, poverty, and friendship. I think people who enjoy realistic stories with serious themes would like this book more than someone who prefers fast-paced action. Overall, Treacle Town was a decent read, and I’m glad I gave it a try.

Vanessa

Rainbeau Readers

An interesting read but certainly not for me. Throughout the book I found the Scottish slang/language exceedingly difficult to understand especially in the first few chapters which I found made the plot of the book quite difficult to grasp/follow at times. I also found that, although swearing and other stronger terms can add impact and make something a character speaks about more impactful, in this book the constant use of swearing was somewhat excessive at times and could have been just as impactful without. I also found that the plot did not engage me at all especially due to the somewhat confusing language at times. On the other hand, I did really enjoy the character development in Con as he builds his confidence and gradually follows his dream in slam poetry. 3/10 book for me.

Johannes

Augustine’s Carnegie Challenge

In ‘Treacle Town’, Connor is an 18-year-old boy trapped in a society of gangs and violence. After a close friend dies due to gang violence, Connor was into the world of slam poetry. I have read some of it and I have to say I didn't like Treacle Town I just found it excessive in the amount of swearing and that made it rather boring and repetitive in dialogue, I found the language used to be quite difficult to understand in places and the plot did not engage me, I never dislike books but I really did not enjoy the book at all. Overall 0.5 stars

Oussama

Isleworth & Syon

Personally I struggled slightly with all the slang and swearing, but the cyclical nature of the book was clever, and seemed very real and harsh. The escape that Con finds from the seemingly inescapable cycle of violence is Slam poetry, and it was lovely to find out that his murdered friend had also found this release. There was a strong message in this book as well as being quite a good story.

Mabel

The High Storrs Shadows

Treacle Town, a place where Con and his ‘troops’ are stuck in a cycle of violence and gang culture. They're mourning the loss of their friend Mark ‘Biscuit’ McVitie. Another senseless tragedy in a town overwrought with the feeling of eternal hopelessness for its youth, and the inevitable life of crime. Our protagonist Con O’Neil has his own personal struggles but begins to see a way out on discovering a love for slam poetry. But can he find the courage to pursue his dream? The strength of friendship within the group is well presented and put to the test as their lives become more and more tinged with hopelessness and fear for the future. Con’s imagined conversations with his dead mum bring some optimism to the general feeling of bleakness and gloom. His mum’s ‘presence’ is quite powerful and gives Connor some hope as he becomes more determined to find a better way to live. This novel felt authentic to a point, although, the Scottish dialect might be a challenge for some readers. But let’s talk about the ‘elephant in the room’! I think the book would have had equal impact without the prolific use of the ‘c’ word. In some instances it enhanced the emotions being felt, at other times it just felt indulgent and unnecessary. This would be a great read for fans of Melvyn Burgess and Kevin Brookes. Especially for those that enjoyed The Bunker Diary.

Mrs Sullivan

NA Book Club

Although this book cover is not aesthetically pleasing, however opinions are subjective, when you start to look into the details of the colour choices and the pictures, it becomes increasingly interesting. For instance, the orange of the streets and the sky screams danger or "run". Pink, on the other hand, is the colour of the houses: warmth, love, and safety. The shade of orange of the streets is darker than the sky, demonstrating that the road is the place to be the most cautious. A group of four young adults roam the streets, dressed in "roadman" like attire. Overall, this book cover is very interesting and very unattractive to the eye.

Clara

CFBL

I thought the book was really good and it also felt a bit emotional as the main character is in a desperate need to get away from where he is right now.I definitely recommend this book.

Bharwin

BexleyGS

This book was unusual and not the book I would usually read. It contained many swears and unusual scottish slang which confused me. This book is about Con, someone with hope for a future but no money to provide it. Can he leave his trapped town and make his mark?

Anya

Beauchamp Champs 2025

the grit and harsh reality of this book really conveyed a sense of struggle and being trapped successfully. i do think the pace of the book was quite uneven and that the second half was more captivating. the poems featured could've been more frequent as they were really interesting. the book left me feeling quite enlightened and hopeful for the future and how our actions affect our lives. 6.5/10- i wouldnt read it by choice, but i enjoyed it.

alice

Eltham Hill Y9 Book Club

Treacle town is an interesting story where a boy who lives a life in danger and full of adventures. But however, it is not a happy or an easy read, but it is worth reading because it is full of more 8ntresting and adventurous stories. If we read through each chapter it full of suspense. I really liked how the story is developed and how he completely changes his character. Treacle town is a book of violence, grief and poetry. It is also a book with death, murder, knife crime etc..

Dhiya

QKA Shadowers

At the start, I was really confused but as I read it I started to understand it. And I became a character in the story watching Con struggle. It did make me feel uncomfortable with the drugs and violence and personally is way too mature for me.

𝕊𝕒𝕒𝕟𝕧𝕚

Beauchamp Champs 2025

I thought that Treacle Town was incredibly well written and meaningful. It is very harsh in its telling of the main characters life, and it does not hide any truth of his world. This book shines a light on the way millions of people live, how their lives look and puts you in their shoes. I think that it tells a very important story and makes you think about the country we live in and how it is organised.

Kaja

OP No Shelf Control

I did not enjoy this book for a few reasons. I can sort of understand why this was selected but I do not agree. For starters, there were far too many swear words, especially the F-word. Second, Con (the main character) uses Scottish slang a lot and I don’t always understand it. Sometimes he uses mushed up slang so it is almost made up words. This makes the story quite hard to follow as I find it makes the book harder to read.Overall, I really did not enjoy this book so I believe it should not win.

Genevieve

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Treacle Town is a very special book and puts the concept of desire and responsibility into good use. The book really shows that because of the actions and decisions of the people around you including you're friends and family, doesn't mean you have to follow them or be like them. The author uses the main character to show the audience that despite obstacles and mishaps, you have to keep pushing and achieve you're dreams and wishes. It also explains that you should not be afraid of what other people think of your dreams. Overall a 8/10 book.

Jay

Isleworth & Syon

Treacle Town is a very raw, and dark, piece of fiction that I would recommend for 14 up-for more mature reader's as the themes (death, drugs, violence etc.) could be very upsetting. Darkness aside, Treacle Town is sweet and hopeful. Conner finds Slam Poetry in the mix of the darkness he is stuck in.

Alice

Diary of a Wally Kid

No wonder a child would pick a book with flashy colours, right? Well it isn’t the case for “Treacle Town”, it is quite the opposite actually. The Strong contrast between the intense orange cloud and the pink city filled with graffities of the book cover proves to instil anxiety in my mind. “Why so bright?”, “Why so intense?”, “Why?” are the questions buzzing inside my head when I am faced with this image. Might the colour palette be related to the sunset, implying the tragic end to a beautiful day or could it be about the night life in a poor part of the city. But what am I saying? Without reading the blurb, who could get the true story, the true meaning? Indeed, as soon as you start to read those big letters, everything comes to light. The words we could decipher in the top of the cover turn out to be the way out of our main character. He discovered the path of words, poetry. I was right, the story is about the sunset, an unstoppable, tragic fate. But, after the night comes dawn, doesn’t it? Am I seeing a hopeful ending? An escape plan to all the violence that is his life? Now as you might’ve noticed, I am quite the curious one, and I want to find out what will happen to Con O’Neill and I bet you do too.

Joseph

CFBL

I think "Treacle Town" is a lovely book that tells a warm and interesting story. The characters feel real and relatable, making it easy to connect with them. I enjoyed the way the author describes the town and its special places, which adds charm to the story. The main plot is entertaining, and there are many twists and turns that keep you guessing. I liked how the book shows the importance of friendship and community, which makes me think about my own friends and family. The writing is simple and easy to understand, making it a great read for both kids and adults. Each chapter leaves you wanting to read more, and I often found myself lost in the story. Overall, "Treacle Town" is a delightful book that made me smile, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant escape into a wonderful world.

kenul

Readerraptors

Treacle Town follows the story of Connor O'Neil - Con - who lives in Coatbridge, Scotland, and is struggling to escape the life ahead of him of brutal gang violence, However, Con doesn't want to end up like Biscuit, just another cautionary tale which will never be listened to, but he doesn't know how to escape - until he discovers the world of slam poetry, which Con realises could just be his way out. I really liked this book, although it contained a lot of mature language. However, the language - not talking about the swears now, just the general way of writing - was sometimes a bit hard to understand. A 7/10.

Holly

Chiswick Carnegie

I liked Treacle town, it was slower to begin with but then I read the second half in two sittings. I liked the story, character development and the cyclical nature of the ending. I think the sweary language will deter adults from encouraging children to read it which is unfortunate as it is an important topic and a very good book.

Daisy

Wyedean School

This book was great - one of my favourites. It was deep and powerful, with a great narration and a very compelling story. It seems quite relatable and realisitic to real life and is a good read. I would recommend, perhaps to those who enjoy coming-of-age books/films.

Joanna

Townley Book Club

Treacle Town is about 18-year-old Con O’Neill, who lives in a tough Scottish town with lots of gang fights and few opportunities. After his best friend, Biscuit, is killed by a rival gang, Con feels trapped in a cycle of violence and sadness. He wants a better life but doesn't know how to find it. One day, Con discovers slam poetry, where people perform their own poems. He realizes he has a talent for expressing his feelings through words. This new passion gives him hope that he might escape his difficult life. However, leaving the gang lifestyle isn't easy, and Con faces many challenges as he tries to change his future. The story shows the struggles of growing up in a place with limited chances and how finding something you love can offer a way out.

Kian

Bookwizards

Con O'Neill, who lives in a town where gang violence, sectarianism, and personal tragedy are prevalent. Con is struggling to escape this environment and finds hope in the world of slam poetry. I didn't really enjoy this book because it wasn't the type of book that interests me

Michelle

VISTA Academy

In ‘Treacle Town’, Connor is an 18-year-old boy trapped in a society of gangs and violence. After a close friend dies (due to gang violence), Connor delves into the world of slam poetry, and it might just be his means of escape… Reading the book, I thought it seemed like a good representation of life on the streets. However, I found the language used to be quite difficult to understand in places and the plot did not engage me, as this genre is not what I typically read. Overall: Two stars (**) out of five.

Bahja

Rockwood Reads

Treacle Town is a gripping young adult novel set in the dangerous streets of Coatbridge, Scotland. It follows Con O’Neill, a 18-year-old boy caught between gang violence and his desperate hope of escaping from misery. What makes this book compelling is Con’s emotional struggle. Raised in a world where violence and loyalty rule, he faces the murder of his friend Biscuit and the pressure to avenge him. However, Con discovers slam poetry, a form of expression offering him a way to extricate himself from his community’s expectations. His journey is punctuated with doubt, as he is tormented with the fear of being judged for his origins in this new poetry environment, which he initially thinks is only for “posh” people. The setting of Coatbridge allows Conaghan to paint a vivid picture of a city suffering economic decline and gang violence. The environment is oppressive, reflecting Con’s internal conflict. An interesting moment in the novel is when Connor realises the old Con’ died with his friend, Biscuit. He is no longer eager for violence and revenge, and his only focus becomes : slam poetry. We acknowledge for the first time Con’s positive evolution, and start saying to ourselves “Well, maybe he actually has the potential to get out of his “Treacle Town”…” Con’s relationship with his father builds is central to the story. Initially distant due to his father's obsession with bodybuilding and his own grief, Con begins to reconnect with him. This evolving relationship highlights the importance of forgiveness and the complexity of familial issues. Reading Treacle Town evokes a range of emotions. The tension builds constantly, especially when Con faces the choice between revenge and redemption. Ultimately, Treacle Town is about breaking free from the stereotypes that define us. It's a story of self-discovery, the power of expression, and the hope that even in the most challenging circumstances, change is possible.

RaphaelHG

4Shadowers

I have just finished reading "Treacle Town", by Brian Conaghan and the power of this book really struck me. I read lots of YA fiction as a teacher but this really hit hard. *The language is very 'authentic' so I would not recommend this for below Y10 students.* It is such a powerful example of contemporary YA fiction. It holds a mirror up to the challenges faced by boys (and girls) who feel lost, forgotten and directionless in their "Treacle Town". It's a book about loss, suicide, mental health, social class, domestic abuse, gangs, knife crime, violence and toxic masculinity...and hope, through the medium of poetry. Whenever I return (my dad will say not often enough) to my home town (now city) of Doncaster I see the reality of many changes that have taken place over the 15 years since I left. The final poem in the book really shows this in such an effective way but it also poses the possibility of a hopeful future. Whilst I'm sure that most of the students I teach will find very little in common with Con surely that's all the more reason for them to read novels like this? I really hope this book gets the recognition it deserves and sparks debate around what we can do to see, support and inspire children and teenagers in "Treacle Towns". This book is on the shortlist for the Carnegie Medal for Writing alongside other books that explore portrayals of marginalised male perspectives. "The Final Year" by Matt Goodfellow is also on the short list and would be more appropriate for younger readers. It's really great to see these books being recognized and I look forward to working my way through the short list and discussing with students in my lunch time Carnegie Shadowing Club that I hope to develop further at Kellett. "Although sometimes I think that people like us are always alone in this world. Hidden away and stuck inside our "Treacle Towns". Unequal and unrecognised. Driftwood floating down our manky canal; surviving day to day, unable to plan for anything or get excited by the future. No pleasure. No prospects...it's like living in a vast open prison where everyone's screaming but no c**** listening. If on the rare occasion, they do manage to hear us, all they do is stare through the perimeter fence, totally unmoved, as if we're animals in the concrete zoo."

Laura

Carnegie Literary Circle

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is an intense novel about Connor, a teenager stuck in a town filled with violence, bullying, and hopelessness. After a brutal act changes everything, Connor finds himself pushed to the edge, trying to make sense of a world that keeps ignoring him. The story is uncomfortable at times, but that’s what makes it powerful. I liked how real the characters felt, even when I didn’t agree with their actions. The language is rough and full of slang, which made it feel authentic. It’s not a happy or easy read, but its definately worth reading and very interesting. I really liked how the story developed and how he stumbles upon the world of slam poetry that completely changes his character.

SashaHG

4Shadowers

I didn't like treacle town very much I just found it excessive in the amount of swearing and that made it rather boring and repetitive in dialogue

evelyn

Kesgrave Bookworms

Personally, I don’t like the book cover. Firstly, the book is a contemporary fiction, while the cover feels more dystopian/apocalyptic. The actual book feels more dark and grey, with at least a cool toned colour palette while the cover has more of a bright warm colour palette. On the other hand the colours and font are quite eye-catching. While the cover technically reflects what happens, 4 teens walking around their town, the book is much more than just four teens, which is kind of the whole idea of the book. The book is about how they are people as well, just like anyone else except in the cover they’re the only dark, saturated part of the town. I would almost say it’s the opposite of the actual book. The book doesn’t look like it’s about gang violence nor slam poetry when it actually is. I also feel like, the formatting is quite overwhelming. Although the font is easy to read, the formatting makes it hard to tell whether we should read “Treacle” first or “Town”. I do really like the typography though, It reflects the book very well. However my least favourite part of the book cover is that there is no space for my eyes, because the title is nearly touching the author’s name and the shine is in random places. Although this could be on purpose, because they can never relax due to gang violence, it makes the book overwhelmingto look at.

Lucie

CFBL

The cover does indeed reflect the book’s genre. While provoking anxiety with its colours. The cover does also evoke the intended mood and tone of the book. We see a group of 4 people behind graffitied walls. Which might just mean the group is onto something and perhaps action is a central theme in the book. Its colours, which are orange and pink, can be seen from a far distance. Both of the colours do not contrast well together. Which provoques frustration and therefore attraction. The title is written in large fonts. It is also sideways which might just be a metaphor for the book itself. However, the author’s name is not written in a large font. Which could mean the author does not want us, young adults, to focus on it. On a bookshelf, the book will definitely stand out with its appealing colours. In online book listings, it will potentially be the first book people will click on. In my opinion, the image is relevant to the book’s content. Behind us, we see an urban area which is far from clean and the group of 4 people in it. This might just demonstrate that the book will revolve around “gangs”. The cover also demonstrates the amount of money the group owns and which social class they belong to. And which social class the book might talk about. I believe that the font is appropriate for the genre as it is written in black. While it is easy to read, it does not contrast well with the background. Therefore creating chaos. The colour scheme is perfect in conveying the book’s mood. It results in effects such as mayhem and disorder. The layout is definitely not balanced, which for me is another perfect metaphor to describe society. While it is unbalanced, it somehow is still appealing for me as the title really stands out. To me, the author chose colors that do not match together to make many things stand out. I also think that the cover does stand out from other books in the same genre. Its contrasting colors and its title written sideways makes it very memorable. The book’s key message is very well communicated. The central theme of Mayhem and frustration manifests the fact that in the book, people will be on the edge of “collapsing”. Frustration might also create many tensions and fights. At a glance, for me, the main theme was obvious.

Jean

CFBL

Treacle town is a story about grief, violence and poetry. It was a bit slow pace, I didn't properly enjoy it until I got half way through. I think the swearing was a bit excessive and unneeded at points but overall I did enjoy it.

Safiyah

Bramcote College Library

I found that this book was reasonably difficult to read but overall I was glad to have read it. I thought that the theme was very topical and i enjoyed that it explored topics that are not mentioned often. I found it quite challenging to read because of all the different characters but once it got to the second half it flowed more quickly.

Betty

DauntseysShadowTeam

Treacle Town is a great book, I found it very intriguing , in the aspect in which it shed a new light upon such an unfortunate life like Conner's, he doesn't grow up in great conditions, in fact he struggles a lot. There is tones of controversy over this book, but, in my opinion it was a great read definitely my favourite book which I've read so far, the story is gripping and understanding, I enjoyed it 10/10

Charlotte

DauntseysShadowTeam

Treacle Town took me a while to get interested in but when I got to around half way through I was quite hooked. After that, I was able to enjoy reading it but it had a slow start. One of the things I found confusing was the characters in his friend group since they all had nicknames such as Nails and Wee Z. While the only one I always recognised was Mark (Biscuit) mainly because it made sense. Overall I liked the ending the most since everything I read before that made sense.

Maria

DauntseysShadowTeam

I couldn't understand it that well due to the thick accents. I am a native English speaker, but there was a swear word every other page.

Anton

Bacon and Eggs Literary Society

This book was an experience that I didn't think I would be reading during the short list for the Carnegies. Treacle Town focuses on those who have the hardest lives in poverty in Scotland and how this shapes the characters friendships, decisions and dreams for the future. It made me feel pity for them as well as rooting for their success and happiness. As their home town seems to be ever more inescapable and the main character wishes for a better future, we see the ways in which relationships and a persons financial position can truly pull them away from the very place that is harming them.

Bella

Balla Bookworms

I found it incredibly difficult to work out what was going on throughout the whole book. I could only list one or two things that happened in the entire book. I did not like it as I read it twice and still couldn’t work out anything going on. I would not recommend.

Lily

LSST Library Shadowers

Overall an extremely exciting to read book and you really get to know Connor and how his character developed as his mind changed about his social groups and his situation as a whole.

Minnie

Tenbury Page Turners 25

Although the book had lots of inappropriate language, and a bit of violence, I still enjoyed the book and found it quite interesting. To me, it felt like a realistic representation of UK gangs. Overall it was a decent read and I would recommend it to people into books with a bit of violence.

Owen

Walkden Readers 25

I liked this book very much as it had a very interesting story and teaches people about gang life and the troubles of it. I would recommend this book to others as it had good characters.

Ziven

Winchmore School Carnegie Group 2024/25

The book is written in the unique style of slang with a violent but not descriptive twist. Although it was not my favourite it was quite a good book overall because of the story line.

Plum

St Kaths

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is a powerful and emotional story about Con O’Neill’s struggle to escape gang violence. His journey with slam poetry gives him hope and a way to express himself. The friendships in the book are deep and complicated, showing both loyalty and betrayal. It tackles tough themes like violence and loss but reminds us that even in darkness, hope exists. This book stays with you long after you finish it, and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking stories.

omar

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Tried to read this book, but couldn't get into it because of the language that was used and the way it was written. I do understand that it was the way they speak but I just couldn't finish it.

Casey

SPS Book Clubbers

I really enjoyed reading Treacle Town, as it gave a unique insight into a world that I have never experienced, and made me connect with the lives the characters were living. The characters were very believable, and the story made me think about the experiences of people living very different lives to mine.

Eliza Bell

Ardingly Carnegie Book Group

Treacle Town was an experience that will likely stick with me for quite a while. The subtle language choices and descriptions from our narrator (Con) all helped me picture what each character would look like. The themes of gang violence, money and mourning were all incorporated very meticulously and the story felt very real and not artificial. To add on to this, Con would also sometimes be an unreliable narrator which made it feel all the more like it came from a teenager's mind. The book also explores how people in disadvantaged areas navigate around modern challenges like racism, pressure and violence. I would definitely recommend Treacle Town to a teenager as the emotions all of the characters feel are definitely relatable. However, I did feel that the book would be too intense or rushed at some points. Some things felt more tacky/slapped on like the slam poetry side story which did kind of ruin the immersion. To conclude, I think that if you are looking for something heart-wrenching with scottish undertones, make sure to check out Treacle Town.

Kang Heum

The Lotus Readers

I didn’t really like this book. This is because I didn’t understand what was happening most of the time and it was really confusing. I wouldn’t recommend it to other people as also it was really boring.

Beatrice

LSST Library Shadowers

Treacle Town is a raw, powerful novel about loyalty, loss, and the desperate search for hope in a broken community. Conaghan gives voice to youth trapped in cycles of violence, urging change before more lives are lost. Although some of its themes are more heavier it is very well written.

Jola

Beauchamp Champs 2025

I haven’t finish Treacle Town yet but I find the writing style really interesting. The main character is going through a whole mix of emotions like grief and anger and I think it’s really well portrayed in the book. It’s almost like you can feel his emotion in everything that he does - his thoughts, his actions, his interactions with others, and thats something I really like so far.

Charlotte

CFBL

he book cover is quite unique. I haven’t seen a cover with so many light colours in a while, but I don’t find it particularly attractive even if it is eye-catching. The colours clash together and I'm not a fan of real people on book covers - but I guess that’s a more personal preference. The images look like a collage to me and i don’t know if I like it or not. However the blurb was appealing to me. The writing on the back is clear and flows smoothly. I like the big writing on top and smaller on the bottom, it catches your eye and once you start the sentence you need to finish it. (And the presentation of the title is fun). The writing style in the book surprised me. I have never read a book written with an accent - and I like it more than I thought I would. The author spells words like he’d say them and uses phrases like “a wee lad”. I do believe the book cover reflects the story. We can see four characters in a town and I think it’s safe to assume they represent the main characters of the book in their small town. The light and warm colours of the cover give a calm feel (but it kind of makes me feel sad). I didn’t really want to read this book, it’s the opposite of what I usually look for when picking a book to read and it was my friends who convinced me to pick this one, but after reading a few chapters, I'm hooked.

Margot

CFBL

At first glance, does this book seem striking or catch my eye? Yes, but did it really communicate what was about the book? Not really.. It’s a different approach, sure, and original, but not what I expected. The cover is nice, it’s visually striking, it’s bold, it’s pretty but again I thought it would be about something joyful and uplifting but I guess I shouldn’t have judged a book by its cover. But I think we can all agree we have judged a book by its cover multiple times. Anyways, what struck me about this book was the colours, often bright colours like orange and yellow reflect joy which is a huge contrast to what the book is about. I would’ve expected some darker colours. Although it definitely doesn’t reflect the mood and genre of the book, the author might have been trying a different approach and I respect that. The layout is also quite not my style, the title is quite big and leaves not a lot of space for the name of the author. Overall, even though it is visually striking, it isn’t my favourite book cover.

Deirdre

CFBL

At first, when I saw the cover of Treacle Town, I didn’t see the link between it and the storyline, until I actually stopped to think. The colours were bright and vivid. When I see orange, pink, and yellow, I think of sunshine, optimism, a mix of love, joy, and warmth. Not exactly the palette I’d associate with a book centred on gang violence. But soon enough, I realised there was a second layer, a deeper meaning hidden in the popping colours and mixed-media design. I interpreted it as Brian Conaghan showing us what Con O’Neil, the main character, is reaching for: a better future. One full of joy. A better life. That really made me think about the power of a book cover and how much thought can go into something most people glance at for half a second. I liked the contrast between the little group of friends in somber colours and the vibrant background. The bold font was a strong choice, though it does unfortunately remind me of the TFL font and dragging myself to school on 7 hours of sleep. But still, it works. The blurb also does its job well. It gives you a clear idea of what you’re stepping into. Altogether: solid book cover, good blurb, great colours, and a design that actually means something.

Ariane

CFBL

Personally, when buying books, I tend to ignore the famous saying "Never judge a book by its cover". Yes I do know that it is not just for books.. Anyway, for me, the cover of a book plays a massive role in whether or not I get a book. The cover for Treacle Town stands out to me, as the colours and the way the text is presented is different from most other books I read. Although I do find that the colours contradict the story, I do like the fact that we can see the whereabouts that the book will be held. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of having people on the front cover as I find that it gives away part of the imagination and creativity that the reader has when they read a book, so the people on the cover is not a positive thing about the cover for me. Even so, when I first saw the cover, it grabbed my attention. The title is large and clear, with some effects that make it look faded and broken, which gives it a little more life. There are also patches of the book which also look a little worn out and damaged. I also really enjoyed the blurb as it's font seems to get smaller as the recap goes down. The blurb itself was intriguing, and it caught my attention, finalising my decision to read Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan.

Eloise

CFBL

Treacle Town is a gritty and atmospheric novel that explores the bleakness of a forgotten town through the eyes of a sharp and determined young boy. Despite being surrounded by poverty, violence, and despair, the boy stands out for his resilience and street-smart nature. His ability to read people, adapt quickly, and think ahead reveals a rare intelligence and strength of character. It becomes clear as the story progresses that he isn’t just surviving—he’s planning his escape. What makes Treacle Town so compelling is the way it shows that, even in the darkest environments, some individuals possess the skill and mindset to rise above it all. The boy isn’t just lucky; he’s prepared, and every choice he makes proves he’s capable of leaving Treacle Town behind for something better.

Romeo

CFBL

Book cover review I am not really a fan of the cover of Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan. In my opinion, the cover doesn't reflect the genre of the book. It gives a slight dystopian or post apocalyptic vibe, because the sky is yellow, and the boys are alone in what seems to be a lonely town. The story is called Treacle Town for a reason: it is hard to escape the town, you get trapped, stuck in sticky treacle. However on the cover, the town is represented with warm colours, and the boys are in black and white with tones of yellow, contrasting with the town behind them. They seem dull, when really it's the town that drags them down. When I first saw the book, the cover instantly caught my attention. Its bright colours and chunky bold fonts are very noticeable. If there wasn't the blurb on the back that was very interesting, I don’t think I would have picked this book.

Amelie

CFBL

This book was an absolute rollercoaster. With scenes that made me burst out laughing and with scenes that had me slamming down the book and sitting in silence for a good few minutes. I loved how the accents were readable and still had me imagining each and every one of the characters. I praise the author for being able to strike were it hurts. The parallels had me in tears. An overall amazing book that taught me how everyone has a way to release pressure. It was amazing.

Hayley L.

Newstead Wood Carnegie Shadowers

I found that this was a very interesting book. It really showed the story through the main character’s perspective. However, some of the language was harder to understand.

Zack

Crypt Bookworms

Treacle Town is one of the few books that doesn't have some courageous adventure and instead covers the truth about what life really is like for young people in disadvantaged areas. Personally, I quite liked the story line and the relationships we see between Connor and his peers that isn't just threats and yelling. The thing I liked most about this book was certainly the poems, that I myself found quite moving, especially the last one that ends the book. This story was certainly an interesting story to read from Conner's perspective but I do think I would of liked to see more of others opinions on Treacle Town and understand their characters better. The language of this book was also extremely strong and at times it did somewhat feel a little bit excessive. Overall I think this book is an accurate book that (maybe not the first thing I would think to pick up) I wouldn't doubt it if it won the Carnegies.

Sofia

BFS Umbra Readers

It’s a hert-wrenching novel that explores life in a broken Scottish town through the eyes of Con O’Neill, a teenager desperate to escape the cycle of violence and hopelessness. After losing his friend, Con finds a new path through slam poetry, which helps him express his feelings and find his voice in a world that wants to keep him quiet. Gang violence is a major theme and has a huge impact on the lives of young people in the story. Brian Conaghan does a great job of showing what it feels like to grow up in a place where nothing ever seems to change. The characters feel really real, and Con’s journey is heartbreaking. Even though the book can be dark, it’s full of honesty and raw emotion. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

Elizabeth

Rainbeau Readers

This amazing book on the journey of Con O'neill is a great insight to the awful time some teenagers are experiencing. It talks about how he experienced a time of gang violence. Then he gives an anecdote to his personal tragedy. This book has the main idea of the struggle to get out of a criminal and gang life once the terrible mistake of joining it occurs. It warns new generations in a way. Although the book does have a lot of unnecessary swearing involved in it, I'd rate it a 3.5 star book out of 5.

Aarnav

Bookwizards

"Treacle Town" kicks off with Con at his mate Biscuit's funeral – Biscuit got offed by another gang. Right away, you see how rough things are where Con lives. Chapter two shows his mates, Wee-Z, Trig, and Nails, and how they're all dealing with Biscuit being gone, and you can feel the pressure cooker of wanting to get even. Then, in chapter three, you get more of Con's own story, like his mum not being around and things being awkward with his dad, who's all about pumping iron. Basically, the start of the book throws you straight into a tough place where violence is normal and everyone's just trying to get by.

Saule

BCHS Book-talk

A very engagging book! a definite MUST READ! I love how the author describes in great detail the lifestyle of these disenfranchised citizens. The book is very well structured and the choice of vocabulary very realevent to the themes of the book. It's interesting to understand those people's lives since it's usually complicated to accesss this type of information. the book is very accesssible and any teenage reader may read it and interpret it in his or her own way.

Nelia (PMC)

4Shadowers

Treacle town is a brutal read but brilliantly crafted by Brian Conaghan. The first person perspective from the point of view of Connor is a brilliant feature as the world is seen through his eyes and it is important for reader's eyes to be opened to the perspectives of people in different situations. This is so effective that by the end of the novel, you are completely committed to Con and really connected with the decisions that he makes and the troubles that he has to face. Along with this, the story really challenges head on basically every problem that the world is facing, from racism being criticized in some of the slam poems, to his internal monologue and the way that he thinks about all of these issues such as the Scottish 'schemes'.

Sam

TBGS Readers

Treacle town was a very deep , heartfelt book . It taught many life lessons , the most important being that if you know what the right thing is , do it , don’t just follow everyone else . If I could change one thing about the book it would be the amount of swearing as I found a lot of it quite unnecessary. One of my favourite parts is the relationship that Con develops with his father throughout the book . Overall , I would give it a 4/5.

Holly H

VISTA Academy

I found this book a bit heavy on the language. Often books contain the odd spot of language but this was very intense, it is a shame that the younger ones cant read it. It also represents the younger generation being full of energy trying to become agangsters.

Ming

Ermysted’s

I found this book very interesting as it included poems about Biscuit (person who died young in the book) NO SPOILERS!! But overall I really liked this book (trigger warning: swearing, violence)

Olivia

St Angela’s Reading Angels

Treacle Town is a story about a boy who is exposed to gang violence, always involved in suspicious activities. However, when one of his close friends gets brutally murdered, he discovers slam poetry which helps him break free from the treacherous path he was following. Although I did find the overall idea of the story intriguing, I found the blurb to be misleading, as the book lacks crucial information about slam poetry, as it only contains about four poems in it, (none written by the narrator himself). However, the book shines a light on the difficulties and pressure the younger generation faces today. The dangers which the characters encounter represent the challenges which modern society inflicts on the youth of today even though they are not yet equipped to cope with them.

Juliette

4Shadowers

I didn’t really enjoy Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan. The story felt too intense at times, and I found it hard to connect with the main character, Con. He goes through a lot, but the way it's written made it difficult for me to feel truly invested in what he was experiencing. The slang and local dialect were confusing and made it hard to follow the dialogue. I also thought the storyline was predictable, especially the themes of violence and grief. The slam poetry part didn’t feel natural—it seemed like it was added just to make the book feel more modern or meaningful. Some parts dragged on, while others felt rushed. Overall, I think the book was trying too hard to be deep and powerful, but it didn’t really work for me.

Jean-Emmanuel

4Shadowers

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is a powerful book. I found the story emotional and easy to connect with. It talks about bullying, poverty, and standing up for what’s right and i think the author manages to do it in an amazing way, while keeping it interesting and engaging for the reader. I really liked it and enjoyed reading it. I’d recommend it to someone who likes reading books that are very original and unlike any other.

Poppy

4Shadowers

I have really enjoyed this book. It is fascinatingly interesting. I love the plot and how it shows that life can sometimes be bad but if you have friends and have trust everything can be good. This book has inspired me about this and I am really wanting to recommend this book to other people.

Ibrahim

Elms Judges

The book is very good and interesting. It contains very sophisticated language. I 100% recommend it. Good artwork, too. I do not recommend for under 12s, though.

matilde

Elms Judges

This book is not in the correct age range and the language is very appalling. In my personal opinion I do not recommend this book.

Arfa jabbar

Bogle’s Book Worms

This was a very powerful book and not one for the faint hearted! The story of Con and his desperation to escape the cycle of poverty and violence into which he has been pulled, is moving and brutal. This is reflected in the extensive use of bad language, which pulls us into his world. His voice in the book is very real, and I so want to hope that his future will be brighter! This book is quite a tough read, but very immediate and will stay with me.

Ros

Balla Bookworms

Treacle Town was a beautiful piece of literature that kept me fully immersed from the first page to the last. The exploration and development of each troubled character in the novel made them feel relatable and kept their stories interesting. Difficult themes like grief and gang violence were characterised in a way that felt truly human, and many points in the novel were quite emotional.

Angio

Holt Readers

Treacle Town was a dark, emotional and beautiful book. The way it was written was captivating and it felt like you were with the characters every single step of their journey. It is written from the perspective of Connor O'Neil who is stuck in an endless cycle of gang violence. Throughout the book we see how he copes with things that many of us won't ever feel in that way. Things like loss, pain, fear, longing and guilt. But amidst the negative emotions there are positive ones too. Perhaps the most prominent is hope. The hope that maybe he can escape into the world of slam poetry. I felt that this book was an honestly brutal portrayal of gang violence and loss. I thought the standout message was that it is never too late to turn back. Treacle Town is gorgeous and a must-read book for everyone.

Lucy

The Maynard School

Enjoyed the book but I found it hard to understand it. The plot was interesting but took a while to get into it.

Dana

JCoSS Carnegie Group

I love this book. I would most definitely recommend this to Year 7. I love how it was chill at the start of the story, then there was a plot twist when the youngest son got sent in to the hospital. The teachers were so supportive of the oldest son when the youngest boy ended up in hospital they were so kind to him. I would recommend 'The Final Year' to people who love plot twist books and poems it both of them together plus if you struggle to read small type like I struggle with it, you will find this a quick and easy read. thank you for the opportunity I was a memories from primary school thank you

Poppy

Woodruffians

Reading this after most of the other books this year to start with it felt like I was starting to read 'another' variation of a theme. That did ease as I progressed. It felt much grittier even than Play. The mix of Slam and text messages with standard paragraphing helped with engagement. How government should be addressing the need to break the poverty cycle that people are in is an interest of mine anyway so that helps when reading this book. Reading Con's story amplifies the difficulty that the individual has with escaping themselves due to the conflicting influences on them. I'm fairly sure that is why the title is Treacle Town. Adding in the apparent need for revenge and where this ever ends resonates with all the world conflicts. I would like to highlight my noticing Mrs McVitie commenting on the impact on the family of the aggressor being impacted similarly to her. I especially liked that Con called her Mrs McVitie even though the book was set in present time (King not Queen). I did question the era at times. It's a book you feel quite bad about enjoying even though there appears to be hope for Con as there is so little hope generally and especially as the book ends as it does. Quite a straightforward style made the ability to notice the wider picture.

Sarah

THS Shadowing

This book was actually really good. Like, I could actually see the characters (and their situations) being real. That's how good it is. Another thing I like about this book is how Brian Conaghan doesn't censor himself. It's gritty, it's realistic, and it's overall a great book if you're tired of flat characters. All the characters in this book are multidimensional, and that's why I kept reading it. Overall, if you're looking for a realistic story you won't be able to put down, try Treacle Town.

Ellie

PGS Library

This book appears to me a lesson that all human beings should learn. When Trig declares a vendetta against their opposing gang (of whom we interestingly never meet the members of), and Con discovers Slam Poetry, it portrays the message that no matter where you are from or who you are, the art of writing is always an escape route - probably the wisest, most promising one. Also, Treacle Town is quite important to read in terms of cultural awareness, because the book is not fictional and sugarcoats nothing, there really are people out there suffering the same as Con O’Neil and his friend Nails. Even the title of the book encourages analytical thinking, as it suggests being stuck in sticky treacle, a twisted metaphor, yet also an intriguing one. Yes, to conclude, this book lacks nothing, says everything, and, in everyone who may read it, awakens something.

Molly

PGS Library

Treacle Town – A Thematic Playlist "Lose Yourself" – Eminem Embodies Con's discovery of slam poetry as a means to escape his harsh reality. "Runaway" – Kanye West Reflects Con's desire to break free from the cycle of violence and despair. "The Streets" – Dry Your Eyes Captures the raw emotion and everyday struggles depicted in the novel. "Glasgow" – Catfish and the Bottlemen Pays homage to the setting, highlighting the city's gritty atmosphere. "Hurt" – Johnny Cash Mirrors the themes of pain, loss, and introspection present in Con's journey. "Alright" – Kendrick Lamar Offers a sense of hope and resilience amidst adversity, aligning with Con's path. "Creep" – Radiohead Echoes Con's feelings of alienation and longing for acceptance. "Shake It Out" – Florence + The Machine Symbolizes the shedding of past burdens and the pursuit of a brighter future. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana Represents the angst and rebellion of youth trapped in oppressive circumstances. "Chasing Cars" – Snow Patrol Conveys the deep emotional connections and the desire for escape. This playlist aims to reflect the novel's exploration of hardship, identity, and the redemptive power of art. Each song has been selected to resonate with the emotional landscape of Treacle Town, offering listeners a musical journey parallel to Con's narrative.

Mrs G

KSA Book Wolves

Treacle Town is an interesting story picking up the topic of gang violence. However, it has too many swear words to influence or interest me and as a result of the inconsistent storyline I did not enjoy it.

Kaleb

Readerraptors

Whilst I enjoyed treacle town, I found the characters in treacle town to be a bit stereotypical in this book, and the plot a bit predictable, which meant the book was a bit boring in some parts for me.

Felix

Logs

I did not enjoy this book at all. I found the excessive use of bad language unnecessary and I could not invest in the characters. The characters lacked depth, and although the story reflects real life for some young people, there were few lighter moments that could have endeared the characters to the reader.

Sandy

Readerraptors

Treacle town is an interesting story about a boy who lives a life of danger and adventure, and must cope amongst gang violence and the struggle of losing a close friend. I very much enjoyed this book as I found it fascinating to read about his life, and I liked being able to put myself in his shoes. One thing in particular about Treacle Town that I enjoyed was how the author often alluded to Con's (the main character) memories of times he shared with the loved ones that he lost, such as his mother or his friend Biscuit. I liked this because I felt it added a hint of sentimentality to the story, amongst the more serious topics. There isn't much I would improve about the book although I perhaps wouldn't recommend it as much to younger audiences as there is a lot of coarse language, which I didn't mind so much as I felt it highlighted the type of society the characters live in, but others might disagree. Overall though, a wonderful book!

Olivia

Skipton Shadows

My opinion on treacle town is that the story line was inspirational and raised awareness for darker topics that are not usually talked about although this caused the overall effect to be increasingly intense or dull,which meant that it was challenging to read over long periods of time and follow the dialogue and narrative.

bonny clutterbuck

Logs

great boo but I think a lot more could of happened it in. I give it a 7.5/10

Katherine Jurd

Herts and Essex

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is a great book it shows the theme of gang violence I really liked the book as the gang can see no future for them but will soon change as they get interested in slam poetry. Overall I really liked the book!

Arfa jabbar

Bogle’s Book Worms

A gritty, thought-provoking coming of age novel, best suited for older readers due to its explicit language and challenging content. Despite the frequent swearing, which you quickly become desensitized to after the first few pages, the novel tackles important issues with sensitivity. The characters and dialogue of the protagonist Con and his friends felt authentic and relatable as they deal with the fallout of the murder of their friend ‘Biscuit’ and the struggles of growing up in a small town. I enjoyed the slam poetry elements of the novel; they were inspiring to read and gave hope in what was a story full of tragedy. A powerful read that will stay with you long after you've finished turning the last page.

Mrs Mann

Brooke Weston Book Busters

A very gripping book leaving you constantly worried for the main character and his quest for freedom from his town.

Oliver

Tenbury Page Turners 25

Overall this was a good a good book however the plot was quite hard to get into until the the last quarter. Even though it was quite slow, it showed a good use of emotion and had some good characters

Thomas

Southmoor Storywriters

Treacle town is about a boy who finds himself trapped in a world of violence and peer pressure. This book is about how he copes with these problems in unexpected ways and how he deals with conflicting emotions. This book really shocked me as it isn’t one that I would choose by myself, it really made me understand the struggles that some people face. I also think that this book has made me more open to poetry and that it doesn’t always involve fancy writing and complicated words to be meaningful. I think that the argument between Conner and Trig was written very well, and it really drew me in as a reader. This book also made me question a lot about my life and I think that I have learnt a lot from this book. Finally, I loved the way the book was written using local dialect, as someone who struggles to read complicated language it was nice for it to be written how I talk. I only wish that there will be a sequel of this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs cheering up or is going through a tough time. I would give it 5/5

Isabella

BCS Book Squad

Treacle Town is unlike any other book I have read. The unique writing style is captivating, passionate, and emotion driven without feeling fake or pushy. The poetry is well embedded and actually adds to the story and the moment, instead of taking it away. The internal conflict in the main character is heart-breaking but his resilience is outstanding. The repeated metaphor of the hard-to-escape, always-stuck-to-you treacle town is full of depth and I really loved exploring it. 7/10 for me :)

Connie

OAJW Golden Reader Club

Not easy to get into, but it was quite readable. The dialect felt real. The opening was intriguing. The language felt real and Con felt like a real character. It was a satisfying read and all the bits came together. I would give this book 7/10.

Bella

MSJ Shadowers

My parents would not allow me to read this book because of the language used.

Kadija

FOFF Girls

My parents would not allow me to read this book because of the language used.

Tasmeia

FOFF Girls

My parents would not allow me to read this book because of the language used.

Hafsa

FOFF Girls

Gave up - the language is just to offensive! It is ridiculous that this is part of the Carnegie awards this year!

Mrs Allsopp

FOFF Girls

This book was OK, but is it really necessary to swear multiple times on every page? However, the poems were a nice touch. It was a powerful moving theme with the main character discovering poetry slamming. This gives him an escape and a glimmer of hope for self expression providing a sense of potential redemption amidst the despair. The themes tackles significant social issues such as systemic inequality, poverty, gang violence and lack of opportunities for young people and the impact of environment, friendships, loyalty and loss, but it has such strong language and violence it can be quite difficult to connect with the characters. I rate this book 2 out of 5

Victoria

FOFF Girls

I really enjoyed this book. From the very first page there was an impact and there were very few times where I was bored as the plot was always evolving. It also shows real life deep topics that are happening everyday and the struggles that people in the UK face day in day out. This book is a 9/10.

Abby

Southmoor Storywriters

Reading Treacle Town was very different to my reading style. But after reading this book, which had introduced the idea of poetry in fiction to me, it was enlightening. The mention of grief, violence and hatred can be shown in this book very deeply. Overall, for the first time reading this type of style, I enjoyed it throughout especially the ending. I would love to continue down this path of fiction with a touch of poetry.

Sophia

Holt Readers

This book was an interesting book about the horrors of gang violence and it involved drugs and murder. Our protagonist is stuck in it all and he just wants to escape it. The psychological nuances and the choice of colloquial language made it a different type of book. This book always keeps you thinking, will he ever escape? It also contained political ideologies and characters with strong racist and cultural views. I would only recommend this book to KS4 or 6th form students.

Akay

Fiction Addiction

I personally thought that the plot of the book was very interesting, because I have not seen nor read many novels based in ‘treacle towns’ before. Thus, it was very eye-opening to the struggles people face whilst living in areas like Coatbridge (the town the book is predominantly based in), yet also how the stereotypes of inhabitants there are not always true. Some of the people around the protagonist, Connor, result to violence to resolve problems (like his frenemy Trig). Despite this, throughout the book, Connor realises that he does not like this attitude towards life, thus tries to escape into the world of Slam Poetry. I liked this aspect of the story, but thought that it was introduced too late in the novel. Connor and his friend Nails only went to one Slam session in the book, when I think it would have been more interesting to watch Connor’s poetry skills develop throughout numerous visits. Finally, be warned that the book is very sad, with multiple deaths occurring. I do think that these were an important aspect of the overall storyline, however, so were definitely necessary. Due to this, it was quite a heavy read. Overall, I would rate the book 3.5 stars. It was not the kind of novel I would normally read, but I did find it very thought-provoking.

Verity

Norwich High School Bookworms

This book has been a really emotional rollercoaster not just for me but for Connor too. As soon as you read the first page it hits you with what young people might experience in certain areas. This book really gives an insight into what you have to do to get revenge or to just leave everything the way they are. This book shows some twisted decisions as well. For example if Connor should stay at home or go fight with his friend. I really enjoyed the part where Connor and his father have fixed their relationship and they think back to the good times - that really made me feel great to know that Connor has someone in his family who respects what he wants to do. What I don't like about this book is the language. I think that some bad words in this book don't need to be repeated so many times. That's why I recommend it to children over 13 years of age (Year9/10).

Ashton

Book Squad

I am afraid I can not give a serious review as I could not finish the book and found it very hard to read. But from what I read I thought that if I had finished it - it could have been good but the way it was written made it hard to get through.

Franklin

The High Storrs Shadows

At the start of the book I found the language and the type of slang used very hard to understand and with my small attention span evidently almost put the book down. But after a little bit I began to get more into it, and understood a little more of the terms used. I started to like the main character at around the middle of the book and really wanted him to achieve what he desired. The writing changing tense was very confusing at times, and i had to re-read a lot of the chapters before I could understand it, but it was an overall okay read because i couldnt understand a lot and it was really sad, but a pretty solid book.

Jennifer

Kesgrave Bookworms

This book was griping and I enjoyed it. It did have slang words that I didn't really understand. It was hard to see what people can go through, but had an inspiring base to the book!

Hattie

LHS Shadowing Group 2025

This was a bit hard to get into, as the slang was quite hard to understand, however as I progressed I found that I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to many people. I think the message of the book was also really strong because it showed how even after a horrible event you can find hope.

Maya

STAGS Shadowers

At the start of this book I found the slang and language quite hard to understand and I didn't get into the book for a while, I nearly stopped reading. But after a while I really didn't want to stop reading and I really enjoyed it in the end. I really started to like the main character and I really wanted him to escape and achieve what he wanted. I thought it was strange that the writing would change tense, but I did like it and it did make it more emotional and it made you feel like it was his conscience talking to himself. Overall I loved the book though, it was really sad but amazing.

Eben

THS Shadowing

I found this book a very powerful read. I did enjoy this book, something different than I've read before. Written from Connors POV. Connor is torn between friends and family and everything he has ever known and a new life, a new challenge, and the hope of something different, something better. After his best friend is killed, he wants more from life but struggles with what people will think, doesn't think he can do it or deserves it. The language used is very real. It's relatable to younger readers. Dealing with issues of mental health, grief, peer pressure, gang violence. It's very in the moment, real. Abit too descriptive in parts for me but I think it would be good for people in in a similar situation to read and realise there is always a choice to be made, a way out. A very interesting book.

Lydia

MHHS Shadowers

I found the book to be a really eye-opening read, which expressed an important message. It shows the reality of real-life towns in the UK, showing how difficult it really is to get out of 'lower class' life. It also presents the struggles of grief and peer pressure. The Scottish dialect and the swears really enhanced the book made the book feel more 'real' and made it come to life. Overall, I would rate it a 7.5/10.

William B

Ermysted’s

Treacle town written by Brian Conaghan is about an 18 year old named Con O'Neill who is trapped a town full of violence and danger. All he wants is to escape this life and experience happiness and satisfaction. As a reader you are taken through the life of Con in his point of view which is one thing I think is great about the book. The novel being written in first person allowed me to really understand Con's emotions and how every experience affected him. Moreover, I found myself engaging with the book a lot more because of this choice by Brian and as a result the story felt more relatable and easy-to-read. One slight negative I have about the novel is that I found the Scottish slang used a bit confusing at times. However i understand that the people spoke like that so that the book was realistic. Overall I found Treacle town very enjoyable and would definitely recommend to other teenagers. 4 stars

Tom

Bookwizards

Connor starts questioning himself and the point of his life after his best friend, Biscuit, gets murdered. After deciding that being a gangster will get him nowhere, Con discovers the world of Slam Poetry and finds that he quite likes it. A book about regret, fresh starts, toxic friendships and letting go of revenge, Treacle Town provides an insight to people in less privileged areas, who sometimes find themselves stuck, with no way to put their talents to use. While not necessarily the type of book I would go for, I must admit the author did a good job writing it.

Aarna CI

4Shadowers

When I say this book opened my eyes, it wasn't like gently waking from a dream, but being grabbed by the shoulders by Conor himself and having your eyes forced open. The characters were so well written, that at times they felt real, which only added to the sense of tragedy. I am very attached to this book now, and I am well aware it will haunt me for a long time to come.

Elizabeth

Winchmore School Carnegie Group 2024/25

I think this is quite a good book, from the death of Con’s best friend to the violence throughout the story and how Con tries to break free from the cycle of violence. I really enjoyed reading it because it deals with both emotional and physical topics. It also made me think about things that have happened in my own life, as some parts of the book are quite relatable. I do think there could have been a bit less swearing, as I found it quite harsh – but I guess it’s one of the ways the author shows how violent life is in this town.

Charlotte

Rainbeau Readers

I thought 'Treacle Town' expressed a very important message and story of the joy and sanctuary words and poetry can provide, especially amongst struggle. The use of some scottish dialect throughout the book made the protagonist come to life as he was communicating in his own language. In the book there is some swearing, however this adds to the authenticity of the protagonist (Con) and doesn't dilute any character's emotion. I enjoyed reading the poetry, which was occasional throughout the book.

Sophia

Diary of a Wally Kid

Within our shadowing group, I recommended this book to our older students as it contains some controversial and challenging context that require higher levels of maturity. Some of Con's friends are keen to seek revenge for Biscuit's death (his friend) but Con becomes increasingly wary and weary of the endless cycle of violence and instead finds himself drawn to the world of slam poetry. Con is desperate to get away, to find another life where he can experience happiness and fulfilment. Con senses a glimmer of hope - a hope that might just lead to his escape from Treacle Town. A very real and raw read- something I'm not 100% sure some of my students would want to read.

Mrs Whittaker

The WH shadowers

This book just wasn't for me - the age recommendation is accurate- this is not for younger readers or readers with sensitivities due to content such as gangs, violence and the language used. I gave it a chance but it's not for me.

Josh

The WH shadowers

This book perfectly represents grief and the struggles of finding ways to deal with it. The poetry works very well to describe the current political and economic state in Scotland and even some parts of England making it easy to relate to or at least understand what they're talking about, I also adore the use of slang in this book as it gives a more authentic feel. Overall, this book was a wonderful read and I would 100% recommend giving it a try, although some phrases they use, ("gaff" - house, "coupon" - face, etc...), once you get the hang of it the book is a splendid mix of camaraderie and loss.

Lucy

Winchmore School Carnegie Group 2024/25

I believe Treacle Town captured the effect of knife crime and peer pressure really well. It reflected the emotional rollercoaster you take through grief and it teaches a lesson that when somebody passes away unnaturally it creates a more melancholy undertone towards all the family and friends of the victim. It really captures that all gang violence has a certain affect on the victims relations that they can never forgive. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

Sophie

The Carlton Chapter

I found this book extremely eye-opening. It shows what you don't see behind the 'shady guys' you steer clear of, and perhaps forget are people with feelings, needs and aches. Connor's escape into slam poetry followed by the scene in which he doesn't go into the slam meeting is so captivating because it plants the seed of doubt into your head ; "Is this it? Is he really gonna give it up?". This makes the ending a breath of relief, leaving you to make up their future yourself. Lastly, Biscuit's death makes you think about your everyday life, when you see young people that were killed in the street on the news- who were they, what did they like, how are their parents? Treacle Town changes your view on everyday life and the way you live. Changes how you think...And isn't that what books are for?

Maria

The Carlton Chapter

A great portrayal of gangs, grief, and living in a violent neighborhood with seemingly no way out. You can't not grow attached to the characters and wish for them to achieve their dreams and escape the situations they are in. I feel like the book has very accurate representations of the more dangerous areas of the UK and how people on the internet react to different teenage gang crimes in the UK.

Ava

SPS Book Clubbers

Miroslava

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Reading that book was quite an experience for me. It really unsettled me, made me feel worried and anxious the whole time, and left me feeling completely drained when I finished. While I did appreciate the variety of poems scattered throughout, the harsh language and those detailed violent scenes were a lot to take in. Overall, I found the book to be too abrasive and intense for me right now.

Miroslava

Beauchamp Champs 2025

Treacle Town was a book I neither hated nor loved reading. At times the plot was powerful and quite moving, as it really showed what it is like to try and get out of the system you are trapped in. I especially enjoyed reading the parts where he goes to Glasgow, as these chapters are more about the beauty of life, whereas at home the book really emphasises his helplessness which is very disheartening. I also think that lots of the bad language used was unnecessary as many swear words seemed to be dropped into sentences that did not hold much meaning to the plot. I understand that Brian Conaghan was trying to write in the style of a boy living there, but there were several times that it made the plot confusing and distracted me from a key moment. The ending was very sad but had a glimmer of hope which I definitely appreciated. I would recommend to 14+ as the topic and language are very serious. Overall I would give this book a 7/10.

Jemimah

KES Bookworms

The book has a good story but I struggled to read it, It was not a bad book but I found it boring and hard to read, just wasn't really my type of book. I would recommend to people who like this style though!

Austin

Saltash Sprightly Scholars

I didnt like this book, i thought the language was hard to understand and was an unenjoyable read.

Juliette

GreatB00ks

In my honest opinion, this book took me quite a bit of time to fully understand. The way Brian Conaghan wrote it gives a powerful perspective from Connor’s point of view. The language he used and the way he developed the characters really pulled me in and made me want to keep reading. At first, though, I found it really confusing and hard to get into because the language felt very local and unfamiliar, and it took me a while to get used to it. Another thing I struggled with was the amount of swearing—it sometimes felt like there was a swear word on every page, and a lot of it didn’t feel necessary. That said, I really liked how the beginning and ending were connected, especially in how they explored the theme of violence. It really shows how reckless young people can be when things get out of control, and how one action can cause so much pain—both physical and emotional. Overall, I think this is an amazing book for readers aged 14 and up. It’s powerful and hits you like a punch in the face.

Hayden

Rainbeau Readers

This book starts off at a funeral of a teen gang member who has been murdered by a rival mob and follows the main character con through a world of poverty and gang violence.

Pranav

Ermysted’s

Are you interested in the life of a person in a gang. Well if so this is the book for you! This book is about a boy who lost one of his friends to a fight and is learning how to become a person with a good future. Later on he gets the opportunity to join a poetry group but will he? You’ll have to read it to find that out. My view on the book was that it was confusing and quite disappointing in places. I found it very hard to keep up with the book as it was using a lot of slang and swear words. Despite that I found the poetry part of the story very intriguing. This is a book I would not recommend to other younger readers.

Milo

Larkmead

Mum is dead. Biscuit is dead. Trig is dead. I need to get away from here. That is what con is thinking. His mum has committed suicide, Biscuit has been murdered. Trig is gone. Everything he has ever known is gone. His dad is a workaholic, Wee zs' hand is severed and all he has left is Nails. nails is the one person who has been there for him. Ups and Downs. Never leaving his side. Even when he leaves the gang and pursues a career in Slam Poetry. The one poem is dedicated to him. The one and only 'Biscuit'. 'Treacle Town, we love you'.l

sam w

Ermysted’s

When I started reading Treacle Town, it felt a bit slow - nothing of much significance occurred for the first few chapters. However, this did mean that the novel built the setting and characters very strongly, and it led to an understanding of the background to the story. The book itself is a very good one. It opened my eyes to the fact that there are still places like Treacle Town in the UK, and that they are hard to escape. I found the use of swearing and offensive language excessive, but since it is how people actually speak, I think it made the book more realistic. I like how Con has to struggle to escape Coatbridge; just like in real life, you sometimes need to struggle to get something you want or need. The book was interesting, and overall, I would rate it 7/10

Aashaz Z.

Ermysted’s

I thought it was a good book, and the story was good, but I didn't really understand what was going on. The ending however was quite sad and I did not expect it. I was glad Con managed to get away from the system though. I would rate it a six because I liked the concept of the story but it made no sense. I would recommend this book to 14 year olds because the language is quite bad.

Amelia M

Skipton Shadows

Truth- I found this unreadable. Between the written gangster/gang language and the Glaswegian it was harsh and not enjoyable. I thought some of the swear words- the 'c' word in particular- were unnecessary. I ended up flicking through Treacle Town and it seemed like it started with a gang related tragic death and ended with the same thing- so nothing learnt. Not for me.

Deborah

Ousedale Olney

Ok, it wasn’t a bad book. I understood the plot, I understood the message, and I understood the way Conaghan put his point across. It starts with a death, and it ends with a death - that sense of futility and a repeating cycle of depressive events deliberately gives the book a nihilistic feel to it, like Con is fighting something he can’t beat - except he does. And that’s great. Through a heavy exterior, hard hitting language and plots, this book hides nothing. It’s straight up, it’s blunt, and while that’s good in some places, it could be argued too that that is the book’s downfall. All in all, Conaghan isn’t a bad writer. This just isn't his best book.

Hanzalah

Ermysted’s

Treacle town is a well written novel that is based in Scotland. It was about a boy trying to stop fighting between two gangs. Although two people died, it was a peaceful ending about a boy pursuing his dream to become a poet. This book gave me pleasure to read because it described Scotland so it seemed like I was there.

Ned

Bookwizards

Because of Treacle Town, I've become somewhat obsessed with the 'Treacle Towns' around Glasgow. Treacle Town provides a raw insight into a deprived, depressed, neglected area where there seems no hope or help for any kind of upward mobility. It's incredibly painful and sings to The Poet X but in a very different way and in a very different context. A very worthy read.

Lara

Horsham BOok HUNTers

“Treacle Town” is the story of a young man who, after having lost his best friend in what he calls a “battle”, realises that a life full of brutal violence, revenge and tragedy is not worth it. He realises that fighting “battles” against other gangs just brings more sadness and anger to his life and he tries to escape his life; his sketchy town, thanks to the universe of slam poetry. I thought this book was so incredibly well thought through as the author creates a very real and honest personality for his character; and whilst the young man changes for the better throughout the story, we’re still able to recognise the character’s intact personality, which is full of faults because of the rough environment he had to grow up in, but also very truthful and soft. The young man’s unique personality gets through to the reader thanks to the rather vulgar expressions he uses but also by the way he interprets his uncertain friendships, family relationships, important events that happen in his desolate town and the way he ultimately admits that he does love his town and friends despite the violence and faults present in them, which can easily hide the positive aspects of everyone. I also really enjoyed how this book broaches very important aspects of life such as racism and poor working-class societies through the punch-in-the-face slam poems the author created for his character. All this made this book very thought-provoking, outspoken and heartfelt even though it could be seen at first glance as a “normal” book with a lot of slang language and brutal events.

MargotHG

4Shadowers

This book focuses on a boy called Connor, who goes through many struggles during the course of the book, feeling stuck in the place where he lives; hence the name: Treacle Town. But there is one beacon of light for him: slam poetry. The book ends with the reader not knowing whether this has a lasting impact on his life at all, making it feel like we've just seen a slice of Connor's life, and letting you reflect on the messages spoken about in the book.

Francesca

Orpington Library Older Teens

Treacle Town is a raw, coming-of-age novel set in Scotland. It describes the life of a teenager meddling in gang violence, poverty, and personal loss. Con struggles with the urge to get revenge after his friend Biscuit is killed, but he also longs to get away from the depressing atmosphere around him. A spark of hope and a possible way out of his situation are provided by his discovery of slam poetry. I definitely recommend this book to adolescents.

Rheem

KECHG Shadowers

Treacle Town is an engrossing novel about Connor and his aggressive gang of friends. This novel takes us through how Connor, who was initially unable to resist any criminal activity, manages to escape his brutal town with the help of slam poetry. I appreciated this book, as the back-story was quite original and helped me connect with the main characters and understand how they would be feeling in some situations. I also really liked the mixture of slam poetry, because they were interesting to read, made me get absorbed in the story and made me think about real-life themes such as racism. Overall, even if there was a lot of foul language, I think that it developed the personality of the characters and helped me understand how awful the town or the situation was.

SrishtiHG

4Shadowers

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

FGCS Carnegies 2025

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is about a boy called Con O’Neill, who lives in a town torn apart by gang violence, sometimes even leading to death. The story follows Con as he tries to break free from the cycle of violence and tragedy and find a way out of Treacle Town. At first, I found the book a bit hard to get into because it’s set in Scotland and the language took some getting used to. But once I got into it, I really enjoyed it. The book deals with deep and meaningful topics, and I thought it was powerful and thought-provoking. I would recommend this book to readers aged 13 and over, as it covers mature themes and contains quite a bit of strong language. It's a gripping and emotional story that really makes you think.

Isabella

Rainbeau Readers

A really good, hard-hitting book showing the troubles many children face and highlighting how we should not take any support for granted.

Finn

St Kaths

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is a novel set in the deprived town of Coatbridge, Glasgow, Scotland. We are introduced to the protagonist Connor O’Neil, who has been struggling with the loss of his mother and his dearest friend Mark, ‘Biscuit’, McVitie. He is also feeling the urge to escape this rabbit-hole of a town, where he is affected by the poverty and uncertainty of lacking a job. His town of Coatbridge is almost a close twin to Maycomb in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, where a day in the town is depicted as being ‘twenty-four hours long but seemed longer’. This portrays the idea that both characters are searching for change to their local towns and shows how they feel uncomfortable in the presence of things that wreck their communities, in this case, racial prejudice and violence. Overall, this book deserved its reputation as a truly interesting story, largely because of how the developed use of inner monologue which shows us what Conor is thinking and further creates queries about the decisions he might make, like his decision to join the poetry group or not. The frequent and, some might say, over-the-top use of foul language conveys how the characters feel about their living conditions and the failures of the council or government. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the lives of people from less fortunate areas of the country. However, the bad language may not be liked by some readers.

Alex

Bookwizards

Treacle Town by Matt Goodfellow is a gritty, gripping verse novel that dives deep into themes of poverty, family, and resilience. Through the eyes of Jamie, we see a tough world softened by moments of hope, poetry, and quiet strength. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel because of Goodfellow’s lyrical style which brings raw emotion and realism to every page, making this a powerful, unforgettable read about survival and finding light in the darkest places.

Nailah

KECHG Shadowers

'Treacle Town' is a good book but the language used is definitely not suitable for teenagers. However, the language went really well with the story, setting, and characters. I liked the poetry aspect but not the gang violence and the impact it had on the characters.

Sophie

Fiction Addiction

I really enjoyed this book, because I felt it showed the perspective of people who might not have the privileges that we have today. I felt truly invested in the the character's lives, and wanted them to achieve their goals. I also liked the incorporation of slam poetry, it allowed me to read a different style of writing to what I am used to. Overall, I would highly recommend this book!

Asha

Beauchamp Champs 2025

A good storyline but hard to read because of the slang and executed badly with too much focus on one area and not much focus on progressing storyline.

Willow

CGS CAKE Club

I really liked the book Treacle Town. It has lots of detail about the town it is set in. The story revolves around Conor and his closest friend, who are part of a gang. We are taken aback by the opening chapter at his best friend Biscuit's wake and funeral. Biscuit has been murdered in a park by a rival gang member and everyone is grieving his loss. Everyone knows who committed the murder but nobody reports it to the police. It is a harsh look at the reality of young boys who are faced with situations like this every day but can't escape their town.

layton

Rebel Readers

Treacle Town is a superbly written book with a multi faceted plot and complex characters. Con is written as a traditional ‘gang’ character who has a complex relationship with his gym obsessed father, but is transported into the world of slam poetry almost by chance, but for the better. The death of Biscuit, while not seen in the book, remains a topical plot point throughout the entire book, being juxtaposed at the end by the death of another character, leading to the book having an almost cyclical structure. While the characters are extremely well written, it can sometimes be a bit difficult to keep up with their dialogue and the different plot lines, but Treacle Town is still a good read in my opinion.

James

Southmoor Storywriters

I enjoyed Treacle Town, and although I was bewildered at the content in the first few pages, I soon understood and began to appreciate this book.

Nancy

Wyedean School

‘Treacle Town’ is novel by Brian Conaghan about Conor and his gang, who are deeply involved in crime. Conor’s dad and society haven given up on him and his gang. He feels they are left to ‘rot’ and that nobody care about them. No one offers help. They have no future. They are hopeless. When his best friend and gang-mate Biscuit (Mark) is murdered in the park, everyone knows who was behind it but no one dares to report it to the police. Not even Conor. The other gang members want revenge but Conor realises that violence is not an answer and wants to quit. He looks for a way out. Randomly, he lands via a YouTube video into the world of Slam poetry. The author explains well why and how Conor and others get trapped in gang violence and other crimes. Even though I understand that the author used (extreme!) bad language to make the characters sound more authentic, I feel it wasn’t really necessary. (There is constant swearing, literally not a single page without it!) Therefore, I recommend NOT reading the book when you are under 16.

Eric

Beauchamp Champs 2025

'Treacle Town' was an enjoyable read, and gives a sometimes overlooked insight into the world of gang violence. It follows Connor, while he comes to terms with the death of his friend 'Biscuit' (Mark) as well as the sudden realisation after Biscuit's death that he can't just drown in the treacle that has held onto him for so long. My only criticisms of 'Treacle Town' would be the plethora of foul language used as it could be seen as unnecessary. Also the plot doesn't particularly thicken beyond what I have described. Entertaining, but not enough so that I would read it again. 6/10

Rory

KES Bookworms

I found this book a bit heavy on the language. Often books contain the odd spot of language but this was very intense. If I were to offer this book to anyone I would say adults/older teenagers as some of the content is not for younger people. However the story was good I would just have written it with less language.

James

SHS On The Same Page

Treacle Town was a hard-hitting, quite emotional read which took me through the twists and turns of Con's troubled and unpredictably devastating life. Everything in this novel is well-crafted from the character's names and nicknames that represent their characters to the intertwining and clashing of their motives in this rough dangerous town. This sense of hopelessness continued until the end of the novel which left me slightly hopeful yet mostly saddened at the fate and future of these characters.

benjaminr

Ermysted’s

This book was pretty good. It started well, then slowed in the middle but I really enjoyed the end. It really made you feel for Con when he finally broke through the 'treacle'!

Wilf

St Kaths

Treacle town is a miserable, depressing book about one of the most overused topics in fiction. It is the most boring book that I have read so far, and fails to capture any of depth that the main characters have. It is a very shallow book overall, and the only good thing about it was that it was short. I would not recommend this to anyone.

Tejas

Colchester Royal Grammar School

My first impression of this book was: 'Who would read this, its quite rubbish and boring'. To be honest, that was my impression throughout most of the book. However, as the story started building up toward the climax of the book, I started getting quite intrigued to the plot and all the drama that it created in my mind. Questions started to be asked. My interest was building. This is truely a book that you just have to see through and deal with because the ending is deffinately worth it.

Nurdan

Chiswick Carnegie

I overall really liked this book. Once you get past the unique way it is written the story is filled with messages of hope and resilience. As Con seeks to leave his old life of violence behind to explore his love for slam poetry he must make the right choice, forgiveness or revenge, while also dealing with his troubled past past. My favourite thing about the book is how it shows young people that all is not lost, that life does not revolve around education and that whatever happened in the past will change you, affect you, but definitely not prevent you from reaching your goals and dreams. Overall this book is amazing, sending strong and inspiring messages, a must read. I will be rooting for Con in the rest of his journeys.

Taira

Chiswick Carnegie

Treacle Town was a very interesting story that had you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole story. It was about a young boy living his troubled life through friendships, failures,fear and opportunity. This book really taught me that even when everything is going bad, you can still get back up there to pursue your dreams- whatever they may be. I felt that the climax of the climax of the story could have been more exciting. But overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend this to anyone who feels they need to get out of their comfort zone and pursue their dreams.

Grace

Chiswick Carnegie

Treacle Town is a very good book that shows the effects of being involved in criminal activity whilst trying to get out of it at the same time. The book does have quite a lot of swearing/foul language throughout so this does need to be read by someone mature enough and who doesn't mind this type of language. The language used is necessary as it comes directly from the main character and shows the life he has and is living. The characters' lives were described very well and it shows the challenges that some people have to experience. Overall, I found this book very interesting and has made readers aware of these hard topics. This book is an 7.5/10

Yagna

The WH shadowers

Hanzalah

Ermysted’s

This book is a moving book, starting with the death of Con's best friend, Mark(Biscuit). It touches upon the death (suicide) of Con's mother and drug and alcohol misuse, but has gang violence and toxic masculinity as the larger problems for the protagonist. It introduced me to slam poetry, which before I had not heard of. on the other hand, however, it uses more swears than are really necessary, with the book dragging on a bit from the swears and the book was slightly depressing. I have seen other reviews where they have said that the Glaswegian dialect was confusing, however, I did not find this a problem, as long as you know the context it is used in. I would not recommend for readers who do not like to read foul language but it is good for young adults and older. 6/10

Elijah

VISTA Academy

Biscuit is in a box. The box is a coffin. The coffin is in the living room of Biscuit's house. His friend, Con, looks at him and thinks about the life that led him there: unemployment, drugs, an empty future, gang violence and social media-driven petty vengeances. Con's mate Trig isn't going to stand for the video that their rival gang, the Winhill Fleeto, have posted online, celebrating Biscuit's murder: he wants revenge. Con just wants out. Out of the cycle of tit-for-tat violence. Away from people like Trig. Away from his intense father - a bouncer using an intense bodybuilding regime to shield himself from his grief at his wife's suicide. Con's Mum’s suicide. Away from a town that seems to drag him back as he tries to get out, a town that sticks to him even when he thinks he's pulled himself clear. A ‘treacle town’, as his great friend Biscuit used to call it. Down a YouTube rabbit-hole one night, Con chances on a clip of a performer on a stage in Glasgow. Slam poetry: young people skilfully putting into words the things Con's been desperate to say. He sees a chance of escape. But can he overcome all of his fears? Of the mockery and scorn of his Dad and his friends? Of the very idea of standing up and exposing his thoughts and feelings in front of an audience? Of taking a risk on a new, exciting life away from his ‘treacle town’? I loved this book. Con’s world is not one I’m familiar with, but Brian Conaghan really seems to capture Con’s voice as narrator and the voices of the young people in it. That means there’s A LOT of swearing. In fact there’s so much swearing that I didn’t really notice it after the first few pages, it’s just one of the authentic features of the intense, dangerous setting of the novel. I really rooted for Con and understood why living in his world was so difficult and escaping even harder. Even though Trig’s an idiot and Con’s Dad’s lifestyle makes for an oppressive, claustrophobic home environment, I felt sorry for each of them, too. There’s tragedy in ‘Treacle Town’ and hope too. Highly recommended. *****

Mr Hodgson

Ermysted’s

I really enjoyed this book mainly because of how they mixed both English writing and Scottish slang. I think it made the book a lot more interesting to read. I would recommend this book to teenagers as it contains some controversial and challenging context that require higher levels of maturity. The characters' lives were described very well, developing on the challenges that some people have to experience. Overall, I found this book very interesting and has made readers aware of these hard topics.

Evie

Logs

I thought that Treacle Town was a great book to start the Carnegie journey. Firstly, I loved the cover as I felt that it conveyed the book perfectly in an easy to understand way. The book follows an evocative path of devastating lows and hopeful highs. Personally, I really enjoyed the slam poems as I felt that they reflect society in some ways. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the Irish slang as some of it was hard to make sense of. Overall, I really enjoyed Treacle Town as it was cleverly written and extremely realistic.

Liam

Bookwizards

I did not enjoy this book. Whether it was the constant swearing or the Scottish dialect with no glossary, I found this book to be extremely slow-moving and boring. It seemed to wait until the end for anything to happen. The only thing I really enjoyed was the change in Con's character as he gets more into slam poetry as it was interesting to see him pull away from his life and move on to another path. Overall I would not recommend this book to other people my age.

Lucian

Ermysted’s

Treacle Town shows a viewpoint not really shown before, showing gang violence in Glasgow. I really liked the inclusivity in the book: Nails being lesbian and the different backgrounds, like Wee-Z. The message is put across vey powerfully, and Biscuit's funeral is vey poignant. I like how it shows that there is always a way out, but doesn't belittle the issues like some books, starkly showing the consequences of continued violence through Mark's death.

Edward L

Ermysted’s

Treacle Town. This book is very exciting , enthusiastic , and adventurous. I really enjoyed this book as it is all about a group of boys who are living in harsh conditions in their town that have happened by a gang of other boys and have to figure out who is tearing apart their town and making it be how it is . This book is a coming of age novel and I would give it a 7/10 rating .

River

Kingdown

it was really good! I feel as though it could do with a better ending- the characters like mark/biscuit at the start had a really bad turn but wee z just gives me a laugh because of his nickname. I mean this book really enters the modern day now like all the slang kids use nowadays. I rate it 9/10- probably the best book I've read in a while yet I do want to warn any young readers there is some strong language but it is based in a British/Scottish gang rivalry.

Dylan

Kingdown

This book takes place in modern-day Scotland, in a poverty-ridden “Treacle Town”. The reader follows a teenage inhabitant of this town, Con, shortly after the murder of his friend, ‘Biscuit’, as he struggles with his position in society. When he discovers “slam poetry”, he finds a glimmer of hope that, if pursued, could lead to his escape. This book carries a powerful message about the inequality in our society and the violence and discrimination faced by the less privileged. While I wouldn’t recommend it to younger audiences due to strong language and sensitive topics, I would absolutely recommend Treacle Town to young adult readers because of how it handles said sensitive topics.

Anna

LGGS Shadow Questers

Treacle Town is a powerful book which employs a viewpoint that often goes unexplored - that of a teenaged gang member from an underprivileged background. This makes the book really interesting, and there are several emotional parts which make us feel sympathy for the characters. Overall, this is a really great book which I would definitely recommend.

Ruqayya

KECHG Shadowers

This book is one of the best I've ever read. It's definitely for older people (because of the swear words) and it has a lot of dark turns. The poetry is quite nice and the idea of Con's mum committing suicide adds more to the story. The fighting, murder and bloodshed in the book is perfectly balanced with the poetry and the characters being nice to each other. Overall, an excellent read with a brilliant storyline.

Noah

Southmoor Storywriters

I have mixed views when considering ‘Treacle Town’. On one hand it is a gritty, down to earth and quite depressing depiction of life in a Glasgow suburb, among a group of unemployed and alienated gang members. Their life is hopeless, drug and alcohol fueled, punctuated by acts of extreme violence along the sectarian divide of the city. Their language while sounding genuine here, is generally unacceptable in a wider society. Particularly when depicted in a book aimed at teenagers. We have of course seen this before from this author with ‘When Mister Dog Bites’. That is a book that never made it onto the shelves of my school Library because that type of foul language is simply not tolerated in that environment. This I fear will be another. The Glaswegian dialect is another issue. On the other hand I found the relationship between Con and his father as the most interesting aspect showing how it changed when there is a death in the family prior to where we, as readers, join them. There is an uplifting tone to save the novel near the end but it comes at a terrible cost. It reminds me of the Robert Frost poem ‘The Road Not Taken’ as Con too takes the path less travelled and that ‘made all the difference’.

Mr Hyde

Marshland Readers

I think this book does a mediocre job at conveying the message of people living in environments such as the one Treacle Town is set in. Firstly, in efforts to convey the style in which the characters' personalities represent, Conaghan uses an unnecessary amount of foul language, which could have worked in the right contexts, but throughout the book these words are littered in places that didn't require the excess emotion. Although understandable that the author tried to show how a group of 18 year olds would talk, it feels forced and not at all natural. The story of the book itself is very grim, and I could not get myself to enjoy the first 2/3s of it. It tackle the very important theme in gang life of action and reaction; in other words: revenge. The book follows an 18 year old unemployed man living in his dad's house, and follows his thought process through his realisation of a better life. The theme of revenge ripples through the whole book, and is due to a conflict between two Scottish gangs. The main character finds his way out of this never-ending cycle, at the expense of some of his friends. He learns that violence is not the only way out of a fight. Forgiveness is. Overall, I have mixed feelings for the book. Its story is good on the whole, once it picks up, but the writing style is very off-putting if you're not ready for it. Good book.

Muadh

Ermysted’s

This book was really interesting as it came from a perspective I haven’t explored before. I found myself really invested in the characters as they had many sides and you could see how they changed during certain events. I won’t spoil the ending however I think it is a really effective one. My only criticism is the language because I couldn’t understand what they were saying but after my first chapter I got the hang of it and it isn’t a bad thing because it further built up the characters.

Phoebe C

Herts and Essex

This book is a perfect representation of kids trying to be wannabe gangsters in current times

Connor R

Ermysted’s

I think that this book is very thought-provoking and emotional. It explores deep and intense themes that are not hidden, but also not overbearing. I really like how poetry and verse is included, albeit SLAM poetry, and I think it allows the reader to connect more with the plight of Con as he tries to forge a new path for himself. I like how dialect is used and not ignored; it is very reflective of what real life must be like for these people. Nothing in this book is glossed-over, making a clear impression on the reader. This is a book that is not easily forgotten, and that I think has an outstanding story, that draws you in right from the start.

Merryn

Diary of a Wally Kid

The book was a overall accurate facinating tale, that resonated with the more obscured side to our british isles, i found it compelling and emotional .although i found certain aspects of the language and mannerisms to be a bit overdone although this may be intentional. the only other issue i found with this book was that the first dozen pages seemed a bit dry and uninticing but overall the book was marvelous and really showed what one can achieve even if the situaution was not perfect.

edward

SHS On The Same Page

Treacle town was a disappointing read. I found it really depressing from start to finish, and felt that the use of profanity, etc. was much in excess. The characters, in my opinion, have little to no depth to them, and the storyline was quite mundane. The only positive I would give is that it gives a realistic portrayal of the negatives associated with knife crime and other atrocities. Overall, I am very disappointed with the quality of this book, and will not be recommending it to others.

Manas

Colchester Royal Grammar School

An incredibly written novel by Brian Conaghan which excellently explores challenging themes such as gang violence and loss. This book is for older readers looking for an absorbing yet heartbreaking novel.

Lizzie

Presdales Carnegies Reading Group

This book is depressing. I know that is what is supposed to be, but the opening scene is genuinely heart wrenching. I really enjoyed the slam poetry aspect, but at times I struggled to see where the plot was going or how the conflicts and relationships would resolve. Overall, once you can abstract from the swearing and sometimes not understandable dialect, it is a fascinating novel that sheds a light on the problems faced by so many.

Zac

CGS CAKE Club

I Found this book to be very powerful It has a lot of tough emotions and is very tragic even in the first chapter. I liked the poetry used in the book and connor's journey into the world of slam poetry. However i found some of the language used a bit hard to read and it took a while for the plot to move along. Overall it was a good book with lots of raw emotions.

Yusuf K

Ermysted’s

Gurman

Lionheart25

I thought that the beginning of treacle town was very slow, and it took a while to get better, but when it got better it was good. I think that the moral of the story was that no matter how deep you are into gang life, you can get out, and that gang life is dangerous. I think this because both biscuit and trig die, which shows it is dangerous, and he gets a job which shows there is a way out.

James W-B

Ermysted’s

Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan is a powerful and emotional book. It is based in a small but threatening village where Con and his friends have a very important decision for their future: stay or go. After losing important people in his life, Con can't bare it any longer and has made up his mind, but it won't be easy. I particularly liked how the book was slow and going one step at a time, forcing the story to build up as you read. This made me want to read along more quickly to find out what happens next. My favourite part was near the end when the book rounded up all his life and turned him into a different person as compared to from the start. The thing I disliked was the wording of the book and how the author used language that 18 year old Con and his friends use to try and fit the theme. The language was good comparing it to how the characters would speak but, overall, it made it harder to read. Overall, I think this is a good book for people aged Con's age our experiencing the same type of things. I would recommend this for readers ages 14 - 19 and I would give it 7.5 / 10.

Hisham N

Ermysted’s

This was a very moving book, gritty, raw and full of emotion. I am transported to treacle town and I feel as I am there right with with Connor. The author is very talented.

Lyra

Pittville School

This novel is powerful and packs a punch. Con's inner conflicting thoughts and emotions are portrayed in such a convincing way. Allowing the language and dialect to wash over me, I became immersed in Con's world and the empathy I felt for him and the other main characters grew as their stories unfolded. Willing them to make the right choices, I was utterly gripped to the very end.

Rachel

Bilbo Baggins’ Bookworms

It was an interesting read but some of the Irish dialect was a bit confusing. The scene changes were sometimes quite abrupt but altogether I thought it was alright, but not as good as some of the other books I've read recently. However it got better as it progressed.

Livie

St Kaths

'Treacle town' was a book that if I saw on a book shelf or in a shop I would probably not pick it up. Not because the book is bad (it's fantastic) but because I don't typically read this genre. I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book, learning about some of the pressure and experiences people go through relating to gang violence was something I enjoyed because I'm not as educated in the topic. As I read the book I got to discover more and more about Con's struggles with his best friend Mark's (Biscuit's) passing. How his friends are always telling him 'do it for Biscuit'. I really admire Connors resilience to them saying this (although at times he may crumble and give in) I think them saying this really makes it harder for him to cope with the grief and struggle of his friends passing which is why SLAM poetry and some of the connections he makes with it is so vital for his character development. In addition, I like the idea of starting off the book with everyone at Biscuits funeral- this made me want to learn more, want to know how he died. It felt like I was there- in the moment. Overall, I enjoyed this book however some of the foul language and slang is ,at times, unnecessary and also a bit confusing. Finally, I would rate this book a 6/10

Libby A

VISTA Academy

This was a tragically heartbreaking yet beautiful book, written in the unique style of slang language. The present tense, as well as the style used, gave the book a very raw and real feel, encouraging empathy in the reader and expressing a perspective on gang violence and disadvantaged areas that is too rare in literature. The world of slam poetry as an escape echoes previous winner The Poet X, as the book shows how it allows young people to convey their emotions in a world where they are constantly told not to. The examination of father-son relationships also deepens the novel, as well as discussions of suicide and the breaking down of toxic masculinity. There are a lot of swear words used, but they are not generally used in a way offensive to the reader.

Eve

St Kaths

it was a good book and it got a lot better at the end.

hasan i

Ermysted’s

Treacle Town is about main character Con - he is trapped in his town, surrounded by gang violence and occupied with the constant thought of his best friend Mark 'Biscuit' McVitie, who has been murdered. He needs to find a way to get out, and when he discovers slam poetry, it presents itself to Con as his perfect escape route. My favourite character was Con, because he was resilient - throughout the book he was pressured into doing things he didn't want to do, and even though sometimes he gave in, towards the end of the story he made a decision and stuck with it, refusing to let anyone change his mind. I also liked the fact that some scenes were written very well. For example, at the start of the book at Biscuit's funeral, the atmosphere and mood were described in such a way that I felt as if I was there in that moment, feeling the grief and guilt of his friends and family. However, I think that there didn't have to be as much swearing or foul language, while it may add to the story and make it more interesting, Brian Conaghan could have used different words that potentially might not be as offensive to other readers. I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to young adult readers who like learning about challenges some individuals face in different parts of the U.K or other countries.

Emma M

VISTA Academy

This book made me confused as it used many slang terms and inappropriate language. However, I enjoyed how the author wrote about a difficult and avoided topic of gang violence.

Meri

Pittville School

I didn't really like this book as much because there is a lot of death and sadness in the book such as when Connor's mum kills herself. There's also a LOT of violence and gangs and also a lot of people wanting revenge for the loved ones they've lost.

Abigail

St Cath’s Shadowing

I’d rate Treacle Town a 7/10. The story was quite enjoyable, with interesting characters and a good plot that kept me engaged. However, I found the language a bit difficult to understand at times, which made it harder to fully get into the book. While I liked the overall story, the writing style wasn’t my favorite. Still, it was a decent read, and I’d recommend it to someone who doesn’t mind more challenging language.

Bassit

Ermysted’s