Cake a Book Club

The Final Year
I liked the book well. The front cover did not properly match with the book. I think that it is perfect for children in year 6 and 7

Cece

All That It Ever Meant
It was quite sad and the plot twist at the end was really shocking - I liked how the plot was quite original and overall, it was a very good book.

Annabel

Treacle Town
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

Play
Wow, what a read and what a collection of characters! Matt, Luc, Mark and Johnny. It was only afterwards that another member of the group pointed out those were the names of the four Apostles in the Bible. Meeting as young boys building dens the friendship amongst these four friends continues into adolescence and early manhood. The boys have different characters and totally different backgrounds but they all connect. Matt is an artist, Mark falls under the influence of drug dealers as his older brother did and finds himself used as a supplier and a drugs mule, Luc is under the influence of his bullying dad who belittles Luc's mum and who has great sporting dreams for his son until he gets injured, Johnny is a loose cannon but his heart is in the right place and at the end of the day he is the only one with concerns about the other 3. Play is interpreted in different ways: do you play the game or do you not conform, what is at stake? My favourite character was Johnny, mad as a box of frogs and neglected by his wealthy parents but so caring of his friends. The story builds up to a climax one summer night. No spoilers, read it for yourself.

Mrs. P

The Things We Leave Behind
Another amazing read which made me think of After the Party with a similar government in power. A very compelling What If style story, a future you hope does not happen because of the disastrous effect it would have on society as a whole. Clem and Billie are forced by their father to leave London after Claudia, Clem's stepmother, is arrested and threatened with deportation. Arriving in Wales in the little village her grandfather lives in, Clem finds the villagers hostile and under the sway of their councillor who wants to root out anyone not belonging to the village citing lack of food and supplies. Clem and Billie camp out and eventually make it to Scotland which is safer as it's independent (spoiler!). There is a twist to the tale reminiscent of All that It Ever Meant. Satisfying!

Mrs. P

The Final Year
It was quite simple language, but was moving and sad. there were some really good ideas and I liked how it was in verse. Overall, it was a good book and I would recommend it to people who are getting ready to go to high school, as it relates to some struggles people may have.

Annabel

Little Bang
Mel and Sid make the most unlikely couple but at the end of the day they bring out the best in each other from the situation they are thrown into. The dilemma they find themselves in with Mel's pregnancy makes Sid look at this life critically and turn it around while Mel finds hers spiralling out of control. A book to make you think about the whole issue of abortion and who is affected from the person who undergoes the procedure, their boyfriend, parents, family, school friends and school staff. We see a range of opinions, we see sympathy and we see hostility. I enjoyed the familiar setting of Northern Ireland where I was born and brought up. A great book for older teens and a great discussion starter on a difficult topic.

Mrs P

The Things We Leave Behind
While reading this book I felt for the characters and was moved by their experience. At first, I wasn't sure about this book but as soon as I got into it I couldn't put it down. A spectacular read.

Emilia

The Things We Leave Behind
It is a really deep and moving book, with a big plot twist. The way it was written wasn't that good but it had some amazing ideas and plots. Overall, I really liked it, as it was a really nice but bittersweet ending and just hooked me all the way through.

Annabel

Glasgow Boys
This book just blew me away! Staff in schools should read it to appreciate the journey that kids in care have been on. The two main characters were drawn so well, you just knew through the narrative how they felt, how they had been let down and why they tried not to get close to people. The concept of touch was also enlightening and how both Finlay and Banjo felt that eventually they could let their individual guards down because those around did love them and care for them. They in turn found people to love and care for. The dialect for Banjo was spot on and as an Ulster Scots person I didn't need the glossary at the back but can see how it would help explain words and terms. Such clever writing, Margaret McDonald deserves a round of extended applause for this story. This should be a film!

Mrs. P

The Final Year
An amazing verse novel. We are introduced to Nate or more accurately Nate introduces himself and his family, single mum and his two brothers: Jaxon who is 2 years younger and Dylan the 'baby' at 4, all 3 boys have different absent fathers. Straightaway we learn that Mum was only 17 when she had Nate and is now 27 and trying to hold things together. Nate is navigating Year 6 with its challenges of changing friendships, school residential trip then the SATS plus his own chaotic home life. In the middle of this Dylan collapses and is diagnosed with a heart condition that then requires surgery. Despite his young age Nate keeps the family together but struggles with his emotions. His teacher Mr Joshua proves to be a great support. We get to the last day of Y6 for Nate and the possibility of seeing his father. Looking forward to the next book!

Mrs. P

King of Nothing
I loved last year's Steady for This by the same author and this book did not disappoint. Anton is used to being the King of the school just by the reputation of his absent father doing time. It is the troublesome Kehinde who gives him this reputation and encourages their 'bad boy' behaviour at school which leads them to being feared by other students. Anton's mother encourages him to participate in one of her projects as a result of his behaviour at school and he becomes involved with the Happy Campers' group that is helping to turn a disused church building into a women's refuge. Anton risks his 'bad boy' reputation by becoming friends with Matthew who is his complete opposite. As the story progresses Anton sees how toxic his friendship with Kehinde is and later as he meets his father after his release from prison he is exposed to his father's opinion and treatment of women. Strong female characters include Anton's mum and Nanna plus Rochelle, Grace and Fernanda from school. This might be a story but it is an accurate representation of the issue of toxic masculinity and school staff and youth workers should be encouraged to read it. 10/10!

Mrs. P

All That It Ever Meant
A Road Trip is a great opportunity for people to spend time together, think and talk and we saw this scenario here. A grieving father takes his children to their homeland of Zimbabwe after the death of their mother. One of the daughters Mati is the main narrator and she is visited and supported by a spirit being called Meticais who turns up in a variety of wacky outfits supplemented by a pipe and initiates conversation. Mati is forced to confront what happened that brought the family together on this trip and the family dynamics. As the story reaches its climax we realise the significance of Mati as narrator and Meticais as a spirit being. No spoilers but you will have a satisfying moment of realisation that puts the story elements into perspective. Excellent!

Mrs P

Glasgow Boys
I loved this book, it was filled with emotion and everyday I looked forward to reading it. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends (and I already have.)

Sophie

Glasgow Boys
A hopeful, thought provoking novel which spotlights the hope and love that shines throughout a touching coming of age story. The characters are filled with life and their suffering and pain is intertwined with the ways they can still find love and joy amongst all they have been through. I especially love the relationships that make the whole book shine with hope, especially Akash and Finlay. This amazing book will defiantly be one I reread over and over again.

Isla

Glasgow Boys
This is a thought-provoking story of Finlay and Banjo and their intertwined lives in the Scottish care system. I loved the depth of character and the relationships they form (especially Finlay and Akash). More importantly, I think are the friendships and the message that, with the right people, things will get better. 10/10

Nancy