FGCS Bibliophiles 2026

The Boy I Love
this book has taken me on a rollercoaster of emotions I had never ridden in my life until now. It's touching, poetical language made it impossible for me to put down for even a second. It's 1916, and young Stephen Wraxall is sent back to war after a cruel injury in war at the front, the memory of his old comrades and first love haunting him as he goes back. But when he meets his new soldier-servant, Danny McCormick, Stephen is made clear of one thing; the undeniable connection between him, and how he cannot let him go. But there is one unignorable question left: will this love between Danny and Stephen save them from this raging war? Or will it leave them damned in the horrors of war? The story of Danny and Stephen has made my heart both ache and burst with joy all at once. The book itself is full of characters to love and despise, all beautifully and amazingly written, but not too complex. It is emotional, but not to the point it's unbearable. It goes through the true gruesomeness of war, and how true lovers are torn apart in the process. Not only this, but it shows what war can do to a man, the scars that it leaves on them, that was what really rubbed the salt into the wound for me. Overall, this book stuck to me for a while after I read it, and that's exactly what the Carnegies look for: books that stick to the reader. Although I have yet to read the other books listed for the medal, this book has won my heart, and has definitely got my vote!

Afsheen

Popcorn
Popcorn is a book that I felt I could relate to in so many different ways. The author's way of describing anxiety is really accurate and as I watched Andrew get closer and closer to popping I felt like the world was against this boy, but he made it through. I always thought anxiety made you weak but this book showed me that in a lot of ways it makes you stronger. I think this is an incredible read and put a whole new spin on the meaning of anxiety. I would recommend it to people around the age of 11.

Bea

Popcorn
I liked this book and I enjoyed the story

Anna