Ardingly Carnegie Book Group

The Things We Leave Behind
I really liked 'the things we leave behind' and thought it was very entertaining and hard to put down. This book was very interesting and had so many things happening which made me intrigued to read what was going to happen next, I felt very bad for clem as she went through so much like having to leave her home and her father after her best friend died but that is why I kept reading because I wanted to know what would happen next

Grace

Little Bang
Little bang was a very entertaining book which i didn't want to put down. This book was about a girl named Mel and a boy named Sid who found themselves in a tricky situation when Mel found her self unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 16. It was set in northern Ireland where abortion was illegal. What will they do to tackle this tricky choice? My favourite character would probably be Mel because she managed to make her own decisions and showed perseverance when things got tough. Overall I would recommend this book.

penny

All That It Ever Meant
I find this book really interesting, however quite sad at the beginning, as the family were slowly healing after their mother's passing. It's hard to relate in terms of location, because I've never been to Africa before, let alone Zimbabwe specifically. It was fun to look at the family's journey to Zimbabwe, while facing some conflicts along the way. My favourite character is the older sister, because she seems to rarely listen, and I could definitely relate to it at times as I'm reaching my teenage years.

Sonia

Play
Play is about 4 boys who grow up together and are best friends until some of them begin to start acting differently and some strange things start happening to them. I really enjoyed this novel as I can relate to the boys a lot especially johnny as I feel that he didn't change as much and I feel that I experienced a situation quite similar to his in my old school and he is in a friendship that seems quite familiar to me. I thought that Luke Palmer wrote it really well and that's why I found it so fast and easy to read. I think this book is quite a true story as the events that occur in the book are in fact everyday occurrences in the real life of a teenage boy. Overall, I thought this book was really enjoyable and I think I will recommend it to a friend.

Nico

Play
This book explored many themes that are present in a teenagers life and goes through many of the struggles that a teenager might have. It has a good moral, and meaning. Showing the problems of naivety and why trusting someone is so important as well as who you surround yourself with. The book also presents the hard choices one has to make and the consequences that actions might have. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people who like a thrilling story

Peter

King of Nothing
(spoiler alert!!) King of nothing was quite the book, it explored the sights of how people can change after looking back at themselves. The book starts off with a boy called Anton, a boy who "rules the school" with his friend group. After getting detention once again, Anton was sent to a summer camp, and it happens to have the school nerd, Matthew. Matthew sticks to Anton like duck tape, and eventually saves his life from a bee sting. Their friendship builds throughout the book, and it changes Anton. One thing I don't like about King of Nothing, is the overuse of slang. At the start of the book they use the word "bruv" and "fam" a little too often which makes it sound a little unrealistic. But apart from that, I enjoyed this book, it had it's funny scenes, and I could understand what it feels like to change and what someone has to leave behind to do so.

Danny

Glasgow Boys
​Reading Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald was an interesting book to read. The story follows Finlay and Banjo, two boys who grew up in care and are now trying to find their way in the world. Finlay is at university studying nursing, while Banjo is finishing high school and living with a foster family. They both face tough challenges, like dealing with their pasts and figuring out who they are. I found it really moving how the book showed their struggles with trust and connection, especially since they hadn't experienced much love or support growing up. It made me think about how important friendship and understanding are, especially when life gets hard.​ What stood out to me was how real the characters felt. The book doesn't shy away from serious topics like mental health and identity, but it also shows moments of hope and happiness. I liked that the chapters switched between Finlay and Banjo's perspectives, so you get to see how each of them is coping. Even though some parts were sad, the story left me feeling hopeful. It shows that even when things seem really bad, there's a chance for things to get better if you have people who care about you. also the book has flashbacks from past years when they must have been feeling happier. I'd recommend this book to other teens because it's honest, heartfelt, and reminds you that you're not alone in facing challenges also that if you have good friendships then there will always be people to support you.

Ahaan

Little Bang
In Little Bang, obviously it was quite hard to relate to the character as I have never had this experience however, I felt like I understood what was happening as the explanation of the characters emotions was very detailed. If I could change something I would create more of a backstory as I felt quite confused when I first started the book. Therefore I had to re-read it but after that I really enjoyed it. Overall I enjoyed the unexpected helpful nature of Sid and the perseverance of Mel even though her parents were very religious which meant that she had to go against her parents beliefs until they decided to let her choose her own future and get an abortion. I really recommend this book to any teen who wants a change in read and a different view on the world and future.

Grace

Little Bang
Personally I couldn't relate to the book, which I think probably made me empathise more for the character of Mel and how she had to face the religious struggles of having to have the baby, and also facing disappointment from her religiously driven parents. I think it's really good that it shows Sid's commitment to do as best he can to help Mel, and to gain Mel's father's approval, so the betrayal he felt afterwards when Mel ended up getting an abortion on her own hit hard. I think the statistics and realism of this book is crazy as this is what many Northern Irish women have to go through because of the many religious families against any from of contraception, as this is the risk that follows. I could relate to some aspects of the book more than others, and I think the relationships built in this book were very clever, such as; Sid and Cassie , she helped him to fulfill his music career alongside his many other jobs, and helped him to let loose and just have fun. I also think the clever connection between Sid's mother, Lucille and that they built a bond based around Sid and the baby; Little bang .I would recommend this book to any teen who wants to look through life in a different point of view, who could put themselves into the characters shoes.

Frida

Little Bang
The things we leave behind is a heart breaking but hope filled story of a young girl's attempt to survive and find safety when their country ends up turning on itself. The story is about when a government gains power and turns on outsiders. It will do anything to prevent its downfall. It made me feel greatly sad and emotional at numerous times. It challenged my brain and what I would have done in her situation. I loved most of the book but the end was heart breaking I just knew there would be something really awful at the end. It was so sad and left me in tears! But it was a beautiful book. I absolutely adored it, however I would have loved a happier ending! But overall I loved it.

rose

Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys explores the different perspectives on life from two boys, Finlay and Banjo. Its a deeply moving and heart warming book that shows what its like growing up in a care system and the realities of the world.

Xander

Glasgow Boys
Glasgow boys was a really emotive and beautiful book. I liked how it was a dual narrative and how the reader got an insight into both Banjo and Finlay's lives in the present and flashbacks to the past from when they lived together. I think Margaret McDonald described and captured how both the characters feelings took over them and overwhelmed them. For example, Banjo and his anger and Finlay and his anxiety. Some parts made me laugh and others made me sad but I think there was a good balance between the two feelings. I was very engaged throughout the whole book and I really enjoyed it.

Chloe

Little Bang
I really liked this book, it had a good plot line and it really made you think about what you would do in that situation. It raises the moral dilemmas of abortion and how different people have different strong opinions on what the right thing to do is. I think that it is very important that this topic is raised as there are still countries in the world where abortion is illegal.

Suzie

Little Bang
Little Bang is a thought-provoking and complex book, and I really enjoyed reading it. It raises important questions about abortion, and the characters make it feel relevant to me. The book expressed the difficulties involved in making decisions about abortion and the moral dilemmas associated with the topic.

Eliza Bell