Brentwood Carnegies

King of Nothing
I could not have been happier that I chose this book. It is definently my new favourite book. I gave this book a five star rating because it has so many amazing elements to it. The storyline is about a boy the whole school fears, but after his life was saved by the biggest ‘nerd’ in school he starts to wonder if his reputation is so good after all. This book made me change my perspective on many things. It made me think about my current friendships and it taught me to know my worth. It taught me how to tell right from wrong, and that doing something wrong for the right reasons doesn't make you a bad person. It also taught me that anyone can change, and that even at the lowest point in your life it’s possible to turn it around. You are who you surround yourself with. This is also the book that got me into reading, I used to find reading boring and something that I have to do; but I know that I just have to find the right books, like this one. 10/10 read, would definitely recommend.

Priscilla

King of Nothing
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had, aspects of adventure and a plot twist 'The King of Nothing' is about Anton, who is a bully, that meets a person called Matthew who is called the school's biggest loser. Then Matthew, unexpectedly saved Anton’s life, when Anton got stung by a bee. He then uses an EpiPen to save Anton’s life. I would really encourage anyone to read this book and read more of the books that Nathanael Lessore has written.

Ronov

King of Nothing
This book is about is about Anton and his friend, they think they run the school. In reality they absolutely don’t run it, but all the other kids go by his rules when really it should be the headmaster. He actually runs the place. Matthew saves Anton’s life and it creates an unbreakable friendship, and then Anton really has a hard think about if he wants to be a bully and run the school or if he wants to to do something bigger with his life. The book is very inspiring because it teaches you a lesson that is if you put your mind to it you can do anything!

Adem

The Final Year
An incredibly real and emotionally charged story about a 10/11 year old boy moving into Year 6, navigating his way through life's challenges - some of which (hopefully) no child should endure. It is a very easy story, presented in verse, but really a story. I love the book, it's very heartfelt and warming, good for kids.

Alex

King of Nothing
'King of Nothing' by Nathanael Lessore is the book I chose for the Carnegie, I really enjoyed this book because the author writes in first person and when he does that he writes like an actual teenager, which makes it sound authentic. It seems like the book was written by a child and not a grown adult. This is a really amazing book.

Nathaniella

The Final Year
I’m normally not very emotional, but when it came to this book, it made my cry more than once. The Final Year is a book about Nate, the life of a boy who’s entering his final year at his primary school. He faces many challenges throughout this final year, navigating friendships, school and a struggling home life - all while his little brother falls extremely unwell. This story is told beautifully in poem. The portrayal of Nate’s resilience in the face of adversity is both inspiring and like you’ve been stabbed with a knife. I would be able to read this book almost everyday, it’s so interesting, I almost couldn’t stop reading!

Alia

King of Nothing
All I can say is wow ! This book was amazing and lived up to what I expected, especially from the author of 'Steady For This' which was also a thrilling book. I could try my best, but I would not find many faults in the plot. To me it was so moving, this storyline was able to make me angry, happy, amused, annoyed and sad all in one chapter. The plot of the King of Nothing follows the main character Anton, whose dad was sent to prison after getting in a fist fight. For as long as he remembered his friends from the “Mandem” have been with him through his highs and lows, as long as he’s with his friends, Caleb, Marcus and Kehinde he will never be made fun of again. He thinks that he will always be the 'king' of the school, but after getting in trouble with his mum and being forced into a “moist” camping trip, then getting saved by one of the losers on the receiving end of his friends insults, he begins to doubt everything Kehinde says. This story explores many different realities, like women’s rights and masculinity and despite being very delicate topics the book handles them almost perfectly. I know for a fact that this book will be one of my top reads for a while.

Ethan

Play
‘Play’ by Luke Palmer was definitely outside my usual reading genre, but I found it a gripping and eye-opening read. The way it explores male friendships, masculinity, and the struggles a boy can face was both insightful and heartbreaking. I found myself unexpectedly invested in their journeys, even when their choices frustrated me. While it’s not the kind of book I would have normally picked up, I’m glad I did - I may not pick another one of this type, but I enjoyed it. It gave me a new perspective on the pressures and challenges young men experience. Luke Palmer definitely highlights the pressures of masculinity and the power of friendship . I would recommend this book to anyone who is ok with 'Young Adult' themes like drugs and gangs, and who likes a thrilling and eye opening story.

Reya

King of Nothing
This was my favourite book of the whole Carnegie shortlist because of its real life setting, I loved the way the author subtly developed Anton and Matthew’s relationship. The plot was incredible and the wide range of vocabulary really made us feel the emotions of the characters, for example you can really feel his distaste at the idea of going to the happy campers, but by the end you can really sense how much he is enjoying it, especially The St. John’s project. I love the plot because it brings in a lot of problems that could happen in real life. However there are also some more exotic problems such as his dad being released from jail. The thing that speaks to me the most, (literally) is the language, the use of more modern language allows us to really get into it. The thing that gives it character is the moment when (SPOILER ALERT) his Nan dies. It was a tragedy, I feel that it did not need to happen, however I feel it really makes this book just that little bit more interesting. I have also read 'Steady For This' and feel that although that one was good, this one is superior. I think that this is one the best books I have ever read.

Jack