Europa Champs

King of Nothing
Nathan Lessore’s King of Nothing is a thrilling and gripping book about an adolescent, Anton. Anton has quite a big reputation at school after his dad was taken into custody in year 6 with his only true friend being his troupes victim! Following many detentions and sanctions mum has had enough! She placed a ban on his phone and set a deal with him, if he does 1 thing, anything of her choice she will lift the ban. But suddenly he was met with a bigger favour than he thought. What will he do!! I found this book absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed the way the author wrote down everything Anton thought or felt! This is definitely one of my top three!

Leena Saloni

The Final Year
This is an amazing book! The style is sort of like a poem! Very sweet, very nice! But it will make you cry! Some sad scenes but other than that it is a lovely book! Would highly recommend this book to just about anyone but specifically anyone looking for a shortish book to read! 8/10

Aurelia

All That It Ever Meant
All it ever meant is a book about a girl who recently lost her mother and so her dad takes her and her siblings on a road trip across their native country, Zimbabwe. It is a brilliant story about how different people cope with grief and loss of a loved one. Mati has a sister called Chichi and a brother called Tana, who all love each other though as they have gotten older they have grown further apart. Along the road trip, the children learn more about their struggling father's past. Also on the road trip is a friendly spirit called Metacais who randomly appears when he feels like it to provide advice to Mati. They have many intricate outfits which just add to their personality. Metacais animation has many in depth conversations in which Metacais asked her to tell them the story of what happened. When they arrive at their final destination, the funeral of their mother, there is one final twist that I hadn't seen coming which made the book much better. The book is slightly confusing at times because many of the characters have multiple names though by the end of the book I understood who was who. In conclusion, All It Ever Meant is a great book about grief whilst at the same time being a happy book about reconnecting with the family you still have. Even though it's a bit confusing at times it's a very good read.

Tristan

Play
Play by Luke Palmer is a novel following the story of Matt, Mark, Luke and Johnny, four boys who have formed together to make an odd friend group, all itching to have fun and get up to mischief. While Matt gets imaginative, Luke pushes himself, and Johnny, with his wild imagination, gets up to who knows what; Mark starts to work for a friend of his brothers and begins to pocket money; however, after making a mistake, he starts to question whether he's doing the right thing even though he might already be in too deep. Although, in this book, there are a lot of rocky bits throughout the four boys' relationships and personal lives, and the theme of drug usage is exaggerated a bit dramatically, it is truly riveting, with themes of boyhood, male friendship, modern-day masculinity and the loss of innocence all beautifully intertwined. From looking at all four boys' perspectives in the book, you can see from each chapter the pressures they face and each of their individual takes on what's happening as things change over time and their dynamic becomes different than it was when they were younger. What is especially great about this book is that, even though Matt, Mark and Luke's friendships have their ups and downs, Johnny (whose mind is something no one will ever come to understand) is almost the glue holding them all together, and how Palmer has designed Johnny and all the characters for that fact to have such interesting and individualistic personalities is a marvel. Finally, although the book's ending is somewhat unexpected and shocking, it is a great read , with the winding story and use of language that is able to paint a picture in your mind so vivid it might as well be real.

Beatrice

Little Bang
Little Bang by Kelly Mcaughrain is a novel that follows the story of science nerd Mel and slacker songwriter Sid and the events that follow after Mel accidentally conceives a baby on their first date. Since it is set in 2018 Northern Ireland, where abortion is still illegal, each chapter follows the stress and turmoil that the couple follow as they try to prepare for their new life; however, both of them are unsure what to do as Mel's parents, who are extremely religious, encourage them to keep the baby while Sid's mum recommends a termination. In the book, you get a look at both of the main character's perspectives, which, I think, makes it an even more interesting read, as you can see how in Mel's mind, everything has been taken away from her and she struggles to comprehend what to do, as everyone is telling her what they think is right (and the stress starts to get to her). For example, Sid, who, in an attempt to make her feel supported and reassured as he himself prepares to be a father, only makes her feel more alone in the decision that has been made for her. And, although, as a whole, this book was an extremely emotional read (as it is based around a very heavy subject), in the end, you get to see how both characters step up and mature, not only in their own character and self but also in their relationship with each other as well, because even though the stress between the two caused strain at times, there were a lot of moments where I got to see how much they truly cared for each other. I think that it is incredible how the author managed to capture the thoughts of both characters with such skill and a brilliant usage of words, leaving nothing to be misinterpreted, at the same time as very nearly making you sob. Behind the cover that a lot of people wrongfully judge, this book truly is brilliant.

Beatrice

The Things We Leave Behind
I very much enjoyed this book although the start was a bit confusing, I eventually understood the plot and the twists. It all began with the new Prime Minister who enforced many various rules and threats to keep the country clean, detaining and deporting immigrants. After various weeks Clem and her half-sister‘s mom gets detained for her heritage, later along with their father. In this tale we follow Clem and Billie as they flee London due to the new regime in place! I found this book emotional and realistic which emphasizes what can happen in the near future, the good and bad! I would recommend this book to people who like emotional, adventure and dramatic stories! In conclusion I am fond of this book but it was a bit confusing throughout.

Leena Saloni

King of Nothing
The King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore is a novel written from the perspective of Anton, a boy in year 9 who, at the start of the book, is allegedly the 'king of the school' he goes to in South London. He and his friends are feared and respected by all (partially due to his dad's criminal past); however, due to his lack of effort in school and sketchy friend group, his mum (in an attempt to make some changes to his attitude) decides to enrol him in a group called the Happy Campers, where he is forced to spend time with an odd boy called Matthew. When I first began this book, I wasn't very sure about it, seeing as I wasn't sure how the story was going to progress; however, as I persisted and saw Anton and Matthews' friendship grow and Anton's views changing, making him start to question all he thought, I started to enjoy it more. It was also quite nice to relate to the main character a bit (seeing as I am also in school), although nothing about his starting situation in the book was anything like familiar to me, which was partly the reason for my scepticism. In the end, however, though there were a couple of rocky times for Anton, the story ended neatly and satisfactorily. In addition, the writing, I thought, portrays very accurately the thought process of a teenage boy (making it easy to follow) and explores, very well, the themes of toxic masculinity, friendship and identity, which made for a very interesting and captivating read. I would recommend this novel to anyone in secondary school who has the patience to allow the story to work its magic.

Beatrice

The Final Year
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow is a short verse novel written from the perspective of Nathaniel Wilder, an 11-year-old boy in his final year of primary school. Nate lives with his mother, who he has a beautiful relationship with, along with his two younger brothers. Throughout the final year, the struggles and ups and downs Nate has with his mental problem, family situation and friendships in school are showcased, which shows how even a boy as young as 11 can have a lot on his plate and makes for a truly emotional yet beautiful read. The format used is extremely effective at portraying Nate's inner monologue, and as a result of this, you can get a truly good look at the way he thinks throughout the book. Personally, I think this book is extremely well written, from the paragraphs set in verses (making the book not only strangely poetic but also adding to its fluidity) to Goodfellow's ability to capture the viewer's attention with his use of language. Even through the plot twists, heartbreak and moments that went from joy to sorrow scattered through the pages, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would recommend it to anyone and everyone in need of a captivating story where every word pulls its weight.

Beatrice

The Things We Leave Behind
This book review is about the book called The Things We Leave Behind by Clare Furniss. This astonishing book, where a young teenager tells of their escape from authoritarian London after their mother was taken away and a protest against the prime minister (Which their father helped to organize.) was cut down by the army on grounds that there were riots. As they flee to their grandad in the countryside will they still be safe? Or will they be forced out again? In my opinion, this is a remarkable book. Its main themes are authoritarianism, refugee experience and death. For me it contains almost no negative points at all. My only issue is that there are 3 stories going on and I can not always make sense of which is which because they overlap or contradict each other. Overall it is an extraordinary book, one of the few that I can safely say was worth every second spent reading because of the amazing cliffhangers designed by Clare. Overall I give this book 5 stars out of 5 stars for its breathtaking story. I recommend this book to those aged 12 to 14.

Danny

Glasgow Boys
This book review is about the book called Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald. Meet Finlay, the boy studying at Glasgow university for his nursing degree. Then he suddenly meets Akash, an old friend again. What should he do? Follow his feelings or not? Meet Banjo, a boy with an explosive temper. Will he find love and happiness? But one thing is for sure, they need to confront the past before it threatens to spin their lives out of control. This outstanding book must be on everyone's must read list. In my opinion this superb book has everything that I enjoy reading in books: Drama, friendship, love and many cliffhangers. Banjo does an excessive amount of swearing, which is a little tiresome, though, in my opinion it does add a hint of realism to this book. I give this book 4.8 stars out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to those aged 13 to 14.

Danny

The Final Year
I found this book simply amazing since it had everything, heartbreak, joy and adventures in itself! It all started out as the 10 year old Nate moved into Year 6 J at Poppy Field Primary and suddenly he is split from his very best friend! As they drift apart Nate developed his own way of controlling the beast with help from his teacher brothers and new classmate! Suddenly everything takes a turn for the worse when disaster strikes Nate’s brother Dylan. I also very much enjoyed the way the author wrote in poems as if it was Nate’s very own notebook and how detailed but quick it was! I would recommend this book to people who like realistic, entertaining and emotional stories! In conclusion it is perfect for a quick read in between books to reset but it is also a very memorable one!

Leena Saloni

The Things We Leave Behind
Clare Furniss’s The Things We Leave Behind is a young adult novel that explores themes of grief, family, and self-discovery. The story follows Tara, a teenager grappling with the sudden loss of her mother. As she navigates her new reality, Tara uncovers family secrets that challenge her understanding of her past and herself. Furniss’s writing is poignant and sensitive, effectively capturing the emotional turmoil of adolescence compounded by tragedy. The characters are well-developed, with Tara’s journey feeling authentic and relatable. The narrative delves into the complexities of familial relationships and the process of healing, offering readers a thoughtful examination of loss and resilience. However, the novel’s pacing can be uneven, with certain sections feeling drawn out, potentially hindering reader engagement. Additionally, while the emotional depth is commendable, some plot developments may come across as predictable, lessening their impact. Overall, The Things We Leave Behind is a heartfelt exploration of grief and growth, resonating with readers who appreciate character-driven stories. While it may not break new ground in the genre, its emotional sincerity and relatable protagonist make it a worthwhile read. Rating: 6/10

Navid

Play
Play is a book about 4 teenage boys who grow up together and after a while of playing together they start to hang around the wrong kind of people. Luc loves rugby but his dad keeps pushing him to his limit. Johnny's just a bit crazy really, he loves to build dens that are designed to collapse and then collapses them. Matt realises he's gay and that he is in love with Mark. Mark's older brother knows a drug dealer known as the Guy. Before long Mark is a drug dealer too, doing jobs for the Guy. They have wild parties with their friends from school (which involve lots of drugs). Bearing in mind none of these boys are over 18, this book really highlights the dangers of young people being left alone regularly. For example, Johnny's parents are nice people but they go on holiday without him so he found other ways to entertain himself, even though they were illegal. Even though it pays very well, Mark wants to stop selling drugs but the guy won't let him showing that it's not completely the child's fault and that they need support from trust-worthy adults I really loved this book because it raises awareness of important issues though at the same time it's an interesting and engaging story. I would be interested to know if it was deliberate that the characters had the same name as the four gospel writers in the bible.

Tristan

Glasgow Boys
This book is told from the perspective of Finlay and Banjo, who were each other’s only friends before they argued. Now they haven’t spoken to each other for years and are trying to find their way in life - Banjo in a foster home, trying not to get into fights, and Finlay trying to balance university and work while struggling with his sexuality. Glasgow Boys was definitely my favourite out of the seven Carnegie books I read, for the following reasons: (a) Banjo’s Scottish accent was great. (b) It dealt with some really serious issues but at the same time it was quite light-hearted, and (c) I could really relate to the characters, because I have Polish heritage, like Finlay, and was born in Glasgow - but I think even people who can’t will really enjoy it. I recommend it to everyone over the age of 11.

Zosia

Little Bang
I really liked this book because the author wrote from each person's perspective which helped make the book more interesting and insightful into each character! The storyline of the book is as following: After a first date Mel and Sid get an unexpected surprise, a baby, it is still not clear what they want to do but their journey is very fascinating! I would recommend this book to people who particularly love romance, drama and adventure but after the first few chapters it gets a bit predictable. All in all I found this book very entertaining and I would say it is one of my favourite books!

Leena Saloni

All That It Ever Meant
I found this book very interesting as it has many unexpected twists and turns which made it slightly confusing. It is about a family of 5 from Zimbabwe, when their mom suddenly dies in a car crash. The main character, Mati, narrates the story of the family going on a journey into their homeland to meet family for a funeral. On this journey Mati meets an old spirit that she soon has befriended called Meticias. Throughout the adventure there are many disputes between Mati’s siblings, Chici and … Suddenly there is a plot twist which clarifies everything! I would recommend this book to people who like fantasy adventure but also a slightly calmer plot to it! All in all I really liked this book for how the author wrote as if she was the main character and added so much detail into every word she wrote!

Leena Saloni

Play
I personally did not like this book. I did not like the drugs, the implied sex, the violence, etc. The writing style is good but the topics are a bit harsh. If you are not into these topics please do not read. 4 out of 10

Aurelia

Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys focuses on two boys, Finlay ( who is still grappling with the fact he might be gay) and Banjo (who is scared that his anger might ruin everything) trying to find their way in the world and not let anyone know their past in foster care. Through love and turmoil, hate and care, will they be able to refrain from returning to their old ways? Glasgow boys is an amazing book that dives head first into a world of chaos and love. I would recommend this book to readers that are 13+ as there are so dark scenes and to readers that like gay books. If you are not into tension and/or violence this book is not for you! Still, I loved it! 9 out of 10

Aurelia

Play
In a village in the south of England, four boys grow up together, thinking of new games to play - some of them more dangerous than others. Matt is great at art, with supportive parents, but struggles with his sexuality; Luc is a brilliant athlete, but his father pushes him too hard; Johnny is neglected by his parents; and Mark’s older brother introduces him into someone who starts pushing him into drug dealing. The boys themselves also take drugs - they talk about this quite matter-of-factly, which is a bit unsettling. One thing that was intresting in this book was how the boys were all seeing what was happening differently - so something that was really important - even life-changing - for one of them would be completely insignificant for another - mentioned, but irrelevant. I would give this book 7 out of 10 as it was really interesting (I think people over 12 should read it, because it talks about some important things, like homophobia and toxic masculinity) but I made quite slow progress as it was very slow-paced at times - it wasn’t really unputdownable.

Zosia

Little Bang
It’s New Year’s Eve and Sid and Mel’s first date when Little Bang happens. Mel is now pregnant at only sixteen, and everyone has different opinions on what she should do: her parents, strict Catholics, are extremely anti-abortion, while Sid’s mother Lucille keeps going on rants about how horrible children are. It should really be Mel’s choice, but is it, when abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland? Little Bang was a great book, if slightly predictable - I could really see all the different viewpoints and opinions on abortion (which is what this book is about). Like I mentioned, it was a bit predictable, which spoiled it a bit for me (I was a bit bored near the end because I realised what was going to happen about two thirds of the way in), but otherwise, I really enjoyed it.

Zosia

King of Nothing
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore is an awesome and hilarious book that also makes you think. It came out on April 11, 2024, and follows Anton, a Year 9 kid who thinks he’s the boss of the school. Everyone knows him, and he acts tough, especially because his dad is in prison. He kind of wears it like a badge of honour. But his mum is not having it, so she forces him to join the "Happy Campers," a community group that’s the opposite of everything Anton likes. At Happy Campers, he meets Matthew, a kid he used to think was a complete loser. Then something crazy happens—Matthew actually saves Anton’s life. After that, everything starts to change. Anton has to figure out who he really is, not just who he pretends to be. The book is really funny, and Anton’s voice feels super real. He’s got this over-the-top personality that makes you laugh, but at the same time, you can tell he’s struggling with stuff like fitting in, being tough, and what it really means to be a friend. Matthew is such a great character too - he’s weird in the best way and doesn’t care what people think. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes funny but meaningful stories. It’s got a great message about being yourself and choosing the right people to have in your life. I’d give it a solid 9.5/10!

Navid

The Final Year
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow is a book written in verse that tells the story of a boy named Nate who is going through his last year of primary school. It’s kind of like reading a poem that never ends, but in a good way. The book deals with a lot of deep stuff, like growing up, family problems, friendship, and trying to figure out who you are. What I liked most about the book is how real it felt. Nate is a character who’s easy to relate to, especially if you’ve ever felt confused or like no one really gets you. He’s got a lot on his plate—his dad isn’t around much, his best mate seems to be changing, and school isn’t always easy. But through all of this, he still tries to do the right thing and figure stuff out. The way the book is written in poems makes it really different from most books I’ve read. Sometimes it’s emotional, sometimes it’s funny, and other times it’s a bit sad. It’s not a long book, but the way the words are written makes you think a lot. I gave it a 7 out of 10 because while I thought it was powerful and moving, some parts were slow and a bit too emotional for me. But I’d still recommend it to anyone going through changes or the end of something big—like finishing primary school.

Navid

The Final Year
This book review is about the book called The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow. This amazing book, where you are in the life of a Year 5 student with a few days left until the summer holidays, and after that the last year of Primary. With only a little brother that seems to never get tired as the only thing to attend to this summer, what could go wrong in the final year? In my opinion, this excellent book draws an image so vivid and detailed it opens a doorway into the story of a family that is fatherless and in poverty. One of the few books you must get your hands on as soon as possible. This marvellous book has many elements which I usually look for: realism, hints of sadness and a very good plot. Two points that I did not like especially: I usually like books that have complicated plots which take up 250 plus pages. This book has 290 pages but, because it is written a poem per page, most of the space is not occupied. I personally do not like their informal speaking manner “ya, wot, un” because it seems overdone. Overall I rate this book 3.5 stars out of 5. I recommend this book to those aged 10 to 12.

Danny

King of Nothing
This book review is about the book called The King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore. ‘Dreams are for Martin Luther King. I don’t need none of that. I’m king of the school, already living my best life.’ Or is he? When Anton is made to go to a group called ‘Happy Campers’ will he die from a bee sting? Or will he survive thanks to a classmate? Can he survive his friends and his recently released father? In my opinion this is a gripping book about peer-pressure that makes it high on your must-read list. It has everything I would want to see in a book: drama, plot twists and a hint of sadness. Personally, I would give the father a bigger role in the book instead of the few pages that he gets. Also, more about the past would be nice because we only get small amounts of information from before Anton's life. I think this could improve the book because it provides the basis for the book. Perfect for those aged 11 to 12. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Danny

The Final Year
The Final Year is a book about a boy called Nate going into his final year of primary school who loves to write poetry. He expects Year 6 to be a piece of cake but things don't go quite to plan. He lives with his mum who loves bingo and alcohol and his two younger brothers Jax and Dylan. Jax is the middle child and loved by everyone, Dylan on the other hand is known affectionately as Turbo Terror and loves to pretend he's Spiderman. Nate's best friend is called PS and they have known each other for a very long time. As well as having friends in school Nate also has enemies, specifically Turner, the school bully. On the day of Nate's transition day he meets his Year 6 teacher, Mr Joshua. Mr Joshua always wanted to be a musician but sadly that didn't quite work out so he became a teacher. Mr Joshua really tries hard to boost and nurture Nate's love of poetry. During the summer holidays disaster strikes for Nate, PS becomes friends with Turner and quickly Nate is left behind. The book is about how Nate manages with being in Year 6 and coping with friendships. What made The Final Year so great was the creativeness of the poetry and how even when something bad happened Nate was able to overcome it. The Final Year is the first poetry book I have ever read though after reading it I know it won't be the last.

Tristan

King of Nothing
The King of Nothing is a brilliant book about a teenager called Anton who isn't exactly a model student. In fact he's one of the worst kids in the school but that all changes when he meets Matthew. The book starts when Anton is goofing around in his classes, as usual, and gets a detention. When he gets home his mum is not happy and she forces him to sign up for a youth club called "the Happy Campers". They are the polar opposite to who he would usually hang out with. Whereas his friends like talking about football and girls, the Happy Campers enjoy picking berries and singing. To Anton's horror, when he joins the Happy Campers he finds that Matthew, a boy he has picked on in the past, is actually a member. The story takes an unexpected turn when Anton is stung by a bee and Matthew jumps into action and promptly saves Anton's life. Gradually they become friends and Anton has to make the choice between being friends with Matthew who he genuinely feels happy being around or maintaining his reputation at school. I absolutely love this book because it is very funny but at the same time features very deep and serious topics like sexism and toxic masculinity. Even though Anton has had a rough start to his life with his dad being in prison and him being friends with controlling bullies, the book shows everyone that anyone can change. I really loved this message in the book because it is really inspiring. The book could have been very dark and said how Anton had no future but instead the author chose to say how Anton became a better person. For those reasons, the King of Nothing is a great book and I will definitely read it again in the future.

Tristan

All That It Ever Meant
After her mother’s death, Mati and her family set out on a road trip from London to Zimbabwe. This is where Mati starts talking to Meticais, whom nobody else can see, and telling her about her family and the (rather long, told in installments) story of the day everything changed. This book illustrates life lived in two different cultures and shows how different people cope with grief differently. I loved this book! The characters were all really sweet, especially Tana. There were two timelines going on at once (one of them being in the past, the story that Mati was telling to Meticais) which I found confusing at first - I got lost a few times - but it was definitely worth it for the end (which I won’t give away, but I will say that it had me in tears, while also completely making sense) and the little moments of realisation along the way. I would definitely recommend it to everybody above the age of ten, though be warned - you do need to have a little patience at the beginning. My advice for you: read it anyway! It is so worth it!

Zosia