Lionheart25

Glasgow Boys
This book was so good in showing how difficult it can be for children from care to access the same opportunities as other children in the wider world. Beautifully written and explored topics often not talked about which should be like suicide and self harm

Emily

Play
This book was incredibly well written and insightful into the struggles and hardships of teenage boys. I loved the way it progresses through their high school journey and shows that so many things still need to change and be talked about especially in the treatment of girls at the hands of boys. I found it a bit difficult to understand the implications the drug dealers give and slang for the drugs but I don't really understand slang in general!

Emily

King of Nothing
As a girl who supports women's rights this book offers something that I had never really explored before, the dangers of toxic masculinity and influence of others on young boys growing up in today's society. It was amazing to see Anton finding his way through these challenges even when faced with blockade in his path from his friends and dad

Emily

The Things We Leave Behind
This book offers an amazing insight into the struggles of a teenage girl facing a uncertain future in a dystopia world. This book is cleverly crafted to keep you guessing till the end!

Emily

Glasgow Boys
This took me a while to get into, but about halfway through I was completely hooked and devastated at the lives and experiences of Banjo and Finlay - our two main characters. This was a brilliant read and something really different to what I would usually choose. The Scottish dialect is tricky at first, but worth persevering with!

Miss Yeabsley

Little Bang
I absolutely loved this book! It was the first book I read for this year's Carnegie Shortlist and I was blown away. Wonderfully well written and very insightful in what it was like for women when abortions were illegal. It showed the effects this had on a young couple with no intention to have a baby and how they dealt with this enormous change. Amazing!

Emily

Little Bang
I was excited by the concept of this book, but a little disappointed with the execution. If you're looking for a teen issues/romance book then you might enjoy it. I was hoping it would be more focused on the issues surrounding abortion in Ireland and that it might be a little more debate/law focused. I think some of the issues were slightly trivialised at points. I enjoyed it, but it wouldn't necessarily be a book I would recommend to others.

Miss Yeabsley

The Things We Leave Behind
WOW! What a fantastic read this was. A worrying depiction of what our future in the UK could be like. As a huge fan of historical fiction it was really interesting to read something that looked ahead, instead of looking back. I thought the main character was really gripping and complex and I enjoyed following her journey. I worked out around halfway what the potential twist might be and even though I expected it, it still hit with such a punch to have my suspicions confirmed. I would recommend this book to everyone!

Miss Yeabsley

Little Bang
When two opposite personalities crash what would you do? Mel and Sid are opposite forces, with everything in the universe pushing them away. Sid has missed more days of school than he’s gone too and failing his GCSE’s is on the horizon. Meanwhile, Mel is a straight 'A' grade student, hoping to become a physicist and is NOT failing her GCSE’s. But when a new year's party goes too far, things get heated. It can’t happen the first time. Can it? If you like drama, romance, and conflict in books, this is book is perfect for you?

Elodie