Carnegievores

Play
I really enjoyed this book but the ending was a bit confusing to work out what was happening. But I loved how the writing was set out and I enjoyed the story line. The author did a really good job for making a book where you don’t want to put it down. I would rate it a 8/10.

Sarah

Glasgow Boys
Only read half of the book but I stopped because the different people's narratives were confusing me. But from what I read it wasn't a bad book; I'd give it a 6/10.

lucas

Little Bang
I really enjoyed Little Bang and it made me re-examine the way I feel about the whole issue of abortion. I loved the style of the writing, with its wholly realistic dialogue and touches of humour, and the characterisation was such that I really cared about what happened to Mel and Sid. The Debate group was a useful vehicle for putting across different sides of the argument, and the author's notes at the end of the book provided an important post-script. There are still aspects of the discussion that I am uneasy about (Mel said that she "grieved" but I wonder if that side of her feelings was possibly underplayed?) but I would be very happy to see this book win the Carnegie Medal this year - it gets my vote!

Harriet

Play
This book can be summarised in 4 words: "Okay book, terrible endings." "Play" is a book that explores themes of toxic masculinity and some teenage friendships. Its plot is similar to the plot of Crossing the Line with more advanced themes and a much more difficult read (it's not a verse-novel). I didn't like it much because while the characters do develop, its more of just snapshots of what the characters do - like an AI-generated video - where it's too still and quite bland. The ending is horrible... a lot of really interesting stuff happens in the last 50 pages just for it to... end. Nothing interesting happens. It just ends, with a bunch of loose ties. It isn't a proper ending, there's too much that happens that isn't explained. There's stuff in the book that is really interesting but unfortunately I won't type about that as it would spoil parts of the plot; but it doesn't explain some stuff that would be nice to know. 3/10; it's ok apart from the ending... which, as I've said, just... ends.

Thomas

King of Nothing
The King Of Nothing was a very good book but it was slightly average. This book is about how people can change even if they are bullies. This book made me kind of bad for those people who are bullies. I found this book kind of emotional and it makes it even better that it is written in first person. This book was about how a YR 9 student tries to keep his reputation while he makes friends who his 'gang' wouldn't like and he tries to hide it. The bad thing about this book is that I didn't get most of the slang so I just guessed what most of the words meant. This book definitely said 'fam' too much. It had a normal ending and there were not many plot twists. Overall a 7/10

Emily

Little Bang
One of the main reasons I loved this book wasn't just because of the style of writing, or the setting, or even the characters (although I did adore Cassie), it was the fact that the author had the courage to bring up real world issues, and write about them too - especially the prohibited law of abortion in Ireland, in 2018. This book reveals the misogyny of the 21st century, a matter that many people overlook, and one that is highly minimalized by others in power. The other reason why I loved this book was due to the characters, and found the contrast between Sid and Mel quite amusing; the fact that Mel is a well-to-do, high achieving school student, whilst Sid is much less highly strung and a lot more laid back (this also goes with the fact that he's a wannabe rockstar), and I think that the way they were polar opposites was sort of the reason that they were attracted to one another, for example; Sid needed more encouragement and someone who could get to know him for who he is, and who could understand him, something that his Mother was never able to do, no matter how hard she tried. Mel, on the other hand, needed someone to joke around with, and to make her more confident in herself and to show her that there is much more to life than just schoolwork and revision, and also I suppose that she needed someone to understand her as well. All in all, I this is one of the best Carnegie books I've read (including last year's). I felt like this book highlighted the problems in the U.K, even in the modern day that we're living in now, and the fact that this author has actually written about it is inspirational.

Pearl

The Final Year
"The Final Year" is a well written novel in verse that has a very good story as well as being very relatable in terms of year 6. It is a very good book that is definitely my 2nd place but I wouldn't be surprised if this book wins. The characters are quite unique and it's well written but since it's a verse novel it is a rapid read. "The Final Year" is a 300 page book that took me 3 hours to read (my average speed of a 300 page book is about 10 hours). My only other problem was that the ending feels like it forces you to read the sequel - "The Last Year" which I don't like because it wasn't clear that it was a series based on the cover and blurb. This a worse instance because they give a preview of what the first few poems are which presses it into you more. 7/10, very good with cool characters but an annoying ending.

Thomas

Little Bang
Little Bang was one of my favourite books I have read because it explores the difficulty of a teenage pregnancy from both of the parents' perspective, creating a very engaging book. Spread throughout the book were little bits of humour making it even more of a delight to read, though it didn't need it. The information about the abortion laws and difficulty was very educating on this topic. The pressure from the people around Sid and Mel is beautifully explored, the split perspective adding to this great effect. Towards the end, the final few chapters leave a mystery as to what would happen next and I only wish that there was a sequel exploring similarly deep meanings.

Gil

The Final Year
I read The Final Year: it was a very good book and if you have read Skellig it was nice to spot the similarities. I also like the way it was written in poems. It was a sad book with funny aspects. The illustrations in the book were also quite good. Overall one of my favourite books.

lucas

King of Nothing
'King of Nothing' is a very... average book. It's good, but there are most probably better books. The writing is good (I may have PTSD for the word 'fam') and joyful (I also may not have understood half of the words like 'mandem'. Even autocorrect is saying it's not a word) but it's so very average. It has an overdone plot with a classic cliché at the end. After reading half of the book I knew exactly how the book would end just because of the overdone cliché that the book progresses towards. 5.5/10, well written, but average.

Thomas

The Final Year
I really liked ''The Final Year'' By Matt Goodfellow because it had many emotional twists and it shows the stress of actually being in year six and also I love how they set it out so that it is not just pages upon pages of information. It has it in poems that make the reader understand it better. I also like that it is very relatable and we can go through those emotions and it is very lifelike. The plot summary is when Nate starts the first day in year six and has trouble keeping his emotions in. He has a very supportive teacher that helps him through the year. He also makes lots of different relationships during this book that change and you feel his emotions as if it was you. The illustrations give it a unique touch that makes it much better than the other books. They really help to portray the image that you have got in your head. The only thing bad about it, is that on some of the pages the writing is all over the place and it kind of makes it harder to read. I would rate this book 9/10 stars. I couldn't stop turning the pages!!!

Emily

Little Bang
An incredible book. Having not read 75% of the shortlisted Carnegie books, I can say with 100% certainty that this book is the best. Plot summary without spoiling much of anything that isn’t mentioned in the blurb: Sid and Mel are both Year 11s when they meet and fall in love. On their first date, the last thing they’re expecting happens. Choices for their futures open up, and it’s the last thing they can hope to do to stop themselves going down a horrible parallel universe. What are the good parts about the book? The characters are brilliant. Unlike with other books, the characters feel alive rather than someone the author concocted to throw terrible scenarios at and just make you feel sympathy. They aren’t without flaws, and sometimes they are boring, but that adds a bit to their developments. What do I think of the book? Very well written, with comic relief breaking apart the cynical and upsetting areas. It’s a joyfully written book. However, the last 50-60 pages felt lacklustre. In retrospect however, those lacklustre pages added to the ending. What have I got to say? Kelly McCaughrain is a literature genius. This book should stand on a pedestal to modern literature (although Inverted World and Raft are considered as modern literature and they were written 50-70 years ago. Maybe post-modern or futuristic literature?) It stands on par with Chaos Walking and the Hunger Games (book 1. Only book 1.) 10/10 would recommend to anyone who wants to read something different. The irony is, this incredible book would not have been read by me if the Carnegies did not exist. I am glad that this national event happens.

Thomas

Little Bang
An incredible book. Having not read 75% of the shortlisted Carnegie books, I can say with 100% certainty that this book is the best. Plot summary without spoiling much of anything that isn’t mentioned in the blurb: Sid and Mel are both Year 11s when they meet and fall in love. On their first date, the last thing they’re expecting happens. Choices for their futures open up, and it’s the last thing they can hope to do to stop themselves going down a horrible parallel universe. What are the good parts about the book?: The characters are brilliant. Unlike with other books, the characters feel alive rather than someone the author concocted to throw terrible scenarios at and just make you feel sympathy. They aren’t without flaws, and sometimes they are boring, but that adds a bit to their developments. What do I think of the book?: Very well written, with comic relief breaking apart the cynical and upsetting areas. It’s a joyfully written book. However, the last 50-60 pages felt lacklustre. In retrospect however, those lacklustre pages added to the ending. What have I got to say?: Kelly McCaughrain is a literature genius. This book should stand as a pedestal to modern literature (although Inverted World and Raft are considered as modern literature and they were written 50-70 years ago. Maybe post-modern or futuristic literature?) It stands on par with Chaos Walking and the Hunger Games (book 1. Only book 1.) 10/10 would recommend to anyone who wants to read something different. The irony is, this incredible book would not have been read by me if the Carnegies did not exist. I am glad that this national event happens.

Thomas

King of Nothing
This book is incredibly well-written, and addresses serious topics without the plot becoming heavy or arduous, which is extremely hard to do. The humour throughout is a lovely addition to the story, and complements the narrative that this is from the perspective of an ordinary boy from London. The characters are relatable to the audience, have detailed personalities and clearly represent the issues they were intended to address. As I was reading, I found that I could relate the book to myself and people around me at school, which is a massively important thing for a book like this. My only criticism is the lack of character description, however I understand that this is most likely due to the writing style, so is the correct decision for the book. Overall, a great book and a definite improvement on last year's 'Steady For This'.

Imogen

The Things We Leave Behind
'The Things We Leave Behind' is a very well written book that resembles the year it was written almost perfectly when compared to the political situation that could have occurred after the 2024 General Elections. The characters are tragic but add life to a story that would otherwise be bland and a slight comedic tone lightens up the story. I like this book because it's a dystopia, but unlike most dystopias I have read which are future (e.g. Mortal Engines) or sci-fi (e.g. Arc of a Scythe, Raft) it is set in the modern day. 8.5/10

Thomas