QEGS CARNEGIE BOOK CLUB

Create Group Magazine

Glasgow Boys
In my opinion, Glasgow boys is one of the best books I have read. It is about two best friends in foster care, both fighting addictions and getting their lives back together. They both find out who they really are and who they want to be. An extremely interesting book.

Rehan

Treacle Town
My review on this book is that this book is not that good as it contains some foul language. I am not a fan of this genre, but even without the swear words this book would still not be to my liking. I was aware that some of these shortlisted books are senior fiction/young adult.

Muhammad H

Glasgow Boys
Margaret McDonald's "Glasgow Boys" Is a thoroughly enjoyable read. From beginning to end, I was captivated by the well-developed characters, each with their own unique personality and complexities. Their journeys are both engaging and emotionally resonant, making it easy to connect with their struggles and triumphs. The narrative unfolds at a satisfying pace, and the story itself carries a powerful moral message that lingers long after you finish reading. While I can't reveal plot details, I can say the underlying themes are both thought-provoking and relevant to modern life. If you're looking for a book with well-rounded characters, a compelling storyline, and a meaningful message, I would recommend "Glasgow Boys." It's a truly rewarding reading experience.

Shanelle

Play
Play is a very well-constructed book. It is about a group of friends who describe their lives in quite some detail. The reader is drawn into the book right from the start. I enjoyed Play, but found it did take me quite some time to read it.

Rehan

The Things We Leave Behind
This is a book about a girl and her stepsister, who run away from home. Life becomes dangerous and these are worrying times for them. I enjoyed the build up to this book.

Rehan

Play
Play is a book about sadness, but it does take a little bit of time to adjust to the book. Before you will like the book, you might want to start reading some other Carnegie books, for example The Final Year and Little Bang.

Muhammad H

The Things We Leave Behind
This book is emotive, lyrical and deeply harrowing. It deserves all the praise it can get - a rare gem of a story and a must read! This was one of those books I could not put down. Trigger Warning: this book contains topics of a sensitive nature including parental loss and terrorism. Please take care when reading.

Librarian

The Things We Leave Behind
This book is awesome - it tells how sometimes we have to let go and leave things behind. It is a bit sad but enjoyable at the same time, so readers who like sad but enjoyable books should enjoy this one.

Muhammad H

Glasgow Boys
Really good book - I enjoyed it a lot but it was too short for my liking. I would give this book a 8 out of 10

Toby

Little Bang
Really good - it was interesting and took me a while to catch up on after having a break for a while. I would give this a 7.5 out of 10

Toby

King of Nothing
Really good book - would definitely recommend! The story is amazing out of 10 I would rate this book a 9.7

Toby

The Things We Leave Behind
'The Things We Leave Behind' by Clare Furniss is a deeply affecting novel that deserves high praise. I'd rate it a solid four out of five stars. The story unfolds with a compelling narrative, drawing the reader into the lives of its well-developed characters. Each character feels authentic, possessing unique personalities and motivations that drive the plot forward in a believable and engaging way. The setting is vividly portrayed, adding another layer of depth and richness to the overall experience. The emotional core of the story is undeniable; it's a heartfelt exploration of relationships, loss, and the enduring power of human connection. While there might be minor aspects that could be improved (hence the four stars instead of five), the overall quality of writing, the strength of the characters, and the emotional impact of the story combine to create a truly memorable and rewarding read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a moving and thought-provoking story. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it.

Shanelle

I Love Books
This was our first chosen book to read and discuss. Reviews were mixed. Our shadowing group seemed to enjoy it the second time we read it. Much discussions took place on the topic of loving books. Pupils enjoyed a bookmark activity - a bookshelf of books to love.

Librarian
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Letters in Charcoal
Today Year 5 shadowing group read and discussed this book. The group looked carefully at the illustrations and the amount of detail gone into the images. Pupils enjoyed the story, though did feel it ended rather suddenly - we were all looking for more. After we read and discussed the book, the group completed a short letter writing task - some pupils wanted to thank Muguel for being so kind and some pupils wanted to explain why Gina did not respond to his letters.

Librarian

The Final Year
Five out of five stars! "The Final Year" is a captivating read that deserves all the praise. The character development is exceptional, drawing you into their lives and making the story incredibly relatable. The setting is vivid and well-crafted, adding another layer of depth to the narrative. What truly sets this book apart is its brevity. It manages to pack a powerful punch in a short amount of pages, without sacrificing any of the emotional resonance or compelling storyline. The moral compass of the story is clear and engaging, making it thought-provoking and memorable. It's a refreshing change from the often lengthy and sometimes meandering narratives we see so often, creating a truly unique and impactful reading experience. "The Final Year" is one of the best books I've read – highly recommended!

Shanelle

Little Bang
Little Bang is a fabulous book meant for everyone - it tells the reader a lot about dealing with tough situations and unexpected things - I rate it 10/10

Rehan

Little Bang
The Little Bang completely blew me away! Seriously, this is one of the best books I've read in ages. From the captivating setting to the incredibly strong and engaging language (although perhaps best suited for readers year eight and up, due to some advanced vocabulary), this book is a triumph. I loved every minute of it! The author's skillful use of description, compelling characters, pacing is particularly noteworthy. The story itself is a heartwarming adventure that kept me guessing until the very end, a thrilling mystery that left me breathless I found myself completely immersed in the world the author created. While the language might present a slight challenge for younger readers, the rewards far outweigh the effort. The richness and depth of the writing make it a truly worthwhile experience. Highly recommended! Five stars!

Shanelle

The Things We Leave Behind
I didn't really understand this book - I may try to read it again.

Kianna

Glasgow Boys
I loved this book - it really told a fantastic story. I will remember it forever. 10 out of 10 from me.

kianna

The Things We Leave Behind
I am finding this book really thrilling and fun to read and the story is spectacular. I haven't found anything that I didn't like in the book so far. I would rate this an 8 out of 10 - but I haven't finished it yet, so there is much more to come!

Toby

King of Nothing
ANTON AND HIS FRIENDS ARE THE KINGS OF YEAR 9! They're used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he's about but that's the way he wants it - he's got a reputation to live up to that's the way he likes it . I would rate this 4 stars ****

Mahek

All That It Ever Meant
I found the book really interesting to read because it is like a family vacation. I did find one thing I didn't like and it though - that I could not keep up with the story and I didn't know what was going on. I would rate this 8 out of 10.

Toby

The Final Year
The Final Year was full of different emotions - the saddest bit about it was when Nate's younger brother did not wake up and he had to have an operation . I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

Mahek

The Final Year
I absolutely loved this book! This book was one of my favourites from the start and I am so glad it got through to the shortlist. A perfect read for Yr6 Primary and I think it's one of those books to stay with the reader forever!

Librarian