OAJW Golden Reader Club

The Things We Leave Behind
The start of the book is hard to grasp, I find the book hard to relate to which makes it challenging to read and paragraph layout was slightly confusing which did not make me want to continue the read. Sorry Clare.

Arnav

Glasgow Boys
8.5/10 - This book excels in conveying raw emotions from gut-wrenching trauma to ecstasy. I thoroughly love the unique way that the sentences were structured as both point of views, feeling different and like true representations of the characters thoughts. The steady build up to Finlay and Banjo's history being revealed was executed well, and was heart-breaking to read. I adored the story and progression, however, I feel it was concluded too well which slightly diminished what the characters went through although the soft finality is very cosy. I grew very attached to the main characters as they were wonderfully written and have a lot of depth that you feel relatable to them. LOVED this book.

Connie

The Final Year
9.4/10 - I love the form of poetry and the characters making their own poetry in this book, it helps me to understand the characters well in the first few pages where I cannot put the book down, I want to know what happens next. However, I did at one point want to stop reading because of the sad element of the story but then I HAD to see what happened next and it gripped me straight back into the story. The element of school, growing up, friendships are all relatable as a Year 7 :)

Lucas (13)

Play
I've always found the concept of masculinity (and gender as a whole) strange, with twisting, turning, confusing mazes that seem to be full of rules; utterly impossible to navigate. I really enjoy how this book tackles these issues, and that each character who 'plays' the game of life and has a result due to their own choices. The alternating POV's can be normally jarring to follow, but this book allowed them to flow well together and shows the thought and skill behind them being cohesive, especially in the final chapters! It clearly communicated the struggle the each boy was going through in their own way. Personally, I found the attitudes of the protagonists relatable and the transition from the lack of maturity to the facing of consequences is awe-inspiring and bitter sweet. I loved reading play! I give it 3.5 out of 5! My only critique is the dialogue does try to hard...

Connie