SHSK Shadowers
The Final Year
The final year is a wonderful, emotional book. It is written in verse and is extremely beautiful. This book follows a 10 year old boy called Nate. His mum is an alcoholic and a heavy smoker. On top of all that Auntie San (who really isn't their auntie, more of a friend) is currently living with them. She is exactly like Nate's Mum. His little brother Jax and Dylan have very different personality's. Jax is the popular kid where as Dylan is kind of a loner. He fantasises about Spiderman (whom he calls "Spidey") and runs around the already chaotic house-hold which has earned him the nickname "Turbo terror". Nate struggles with his life. Having to make breakfast and care for 2 children and an adult isn't easy! But luckily his best friend Parker Smith (PS) is always there for him. Until, he gets separated from his best friend in Y6 and PS gets placed with Nate's bully - Turner. His new teacher- Mr Joshua - is very excited for the start of the new year. Nate gets seated next to the quiet kid, Caleb. They become friends almost instantly and bond over their passion for poetry words and art. Mr Joshua then introduces Nate to Skellig and Nate becomes OBBSESSED! However shortly after their Year 6 residential, Dylan's fate becomes murky and Nate's family become hopeless.
Overall, this was a great book, full of laughter, joy and sadness. I really love the style of writing because even though there aren't many words, there are enough to tell the story with emotion. Such an amazing read and I would definitely recommend!
10/10
Liya
The Things We Leave Behind
The Things We Leave Behind is set in a dystopian England where people report on their neighbours and trust is almost impossible. The main character is called Clem. She is in a sort of hospital, and she tells a woman named Polly her story in what appear to be counselling sessions. After her world is torn apart by events set in place by the Prime Minister, Toby Knight, she sets off on a journey seeking asylum with her distant family. It is full of interesting twists and turns. It is accompanied by a separate, fairytale-esque story that Clem tells to add meaning to the main story.
One of the most intriguing points of this book is how it is told afterwards, to a different character, and Clem decides that she can tell us a less depressing version of the tale because she doesn’t think she can get through saying what really happened. Therefore, at the end, we experience a major plot twist that makes us rethink everything we have previously been told.
Although this story resolves itself, it leaves us enough loose ends to make up our own, long-term ending, where the storyline could go either way. All in all, it is a very interesting and well-written book. I recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian fiction.
Theodora
The Final Year
The Final Year Matt Goodfellow &
Joe Todd-Stanton
is an honest story about Nate’s transition from Y5 to Y6 and beyond, and all the emotions that these situations of change cause. I found the style of the book unusual at first, as I wouldn’t normally read verse, but once used to it, it conveys more emotions and unsaid feelings through to the reader. Nate experiences some big changes at school with his friends, and at home, and throughout he learns to find his voice through his new teacher – Mr Joshua. I really liked how Nate was portrayed, he felt very real and talking in his own voice rather than someone else’s description of him. My favourite part of the book was the ending because all the loose ends are tied up and it shows the contrast between Nate at the start of the book, nervous and shy compared to him at the end going confidently into Y7. I think that the fast-moving plot was written well, and the illustrations helped me to better visualise Nate’s unspoken emotions. I think that it is well written, though some people may struggle with the poem structure, and it's a moving, gripping, nostalgic read which I would recommend to anyone 8+. I would give it a rating of 4/5, and I would say to anyone considering the book not to fear the verse format, because it's more engaging and authentic than many other books.
Lydia
Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys Margaret McDonald
This book is about two adolescents, Finlay and Banjo, who met in the care system when they were growing up but haven't spoken to each other for several years. Though Finlay is studying for a nursing degree at Glasgow University, and Banjo is starting high school, they both share feelings of loneliness, frustration and memories of what happened in their past. As the plot unfolds, Banjo is supported to realise that there is more to life than acceptance, and that vulnerability isn't a weakness but that it helps him to connect with others. We also learn as readers the reason for their falling-out, and how they are drawn back together and learn together how to let go of the past. It was a bit hard to get into, but as the characters develop the plot becomes more gripping and emotional. Both Finlay and Banjo both felt very real, especially with Banjo’s accent, and I think that Glasgow Boys spreads more awareness about the care system and those in care. My favourite part of the book was the end because it was emotional, and the ending tied up all the loose ends and was satisfying in general. The scenes of emotional outbursts, of anger, grief and frustration were quite well written – the arguments felt real and believable, and made the book more gripping. I think that it is a generally a good read, because though it was sometimes confusing switching between perspectives, it made the book more interesting and memorable, as well as the complex characters and plot. I would recommend this book to ages 12+ because of some strong language, but I think that it is an especially good book for teenagers because it highlights what some teenagers go through at this stage in their lives. I give it a rating 3/5 because it was a bit hard to get into, though generally good.
Lydia
The Things We Leave Behind
The Things We Leave Behind by Clare Furniss is a dystopian book set at an unspecified date in London, starring Clem, a girl whose 15th birthday opens the book. The love and sunshine doesn’t last for long, though, as Toby Knight, an MP takes power and becomes the new prime minister of England. He discriminates against people from other countries, and Clem’s stepmother, Claudia is forced away from her family as she has Jamaican roots, and her English citizenship has not been recognised yet. Clem’s father urges her and her half sister, Billie to go run away, and seek out their grandfather. They go away whilst their father dangerously works with a group of rebels to oppose Knight. Once they reach their grandfather’s house in a small village, Clem realizes that after their grandmother died, their Grandpa had dementia as a result. The book continues to follow Clem and Billie as they make their way to Scotland, seeking out Clem’s travelling mother.
But this is a story.
And stories are lies.
This is a book filled with so many emotions and ideas, I was almost overwhelmed by it all. But, by the end the fast-paced book made sense, and I feel that was the desired effect. The Things We Leave Behind is full of so many surprises and twists and turns in its plot. This is a good book, and I think people who are 12-17 would like it. I would also give it a 7/10 rating, as it can sometimes be a bit confusing or boring.
Cora
Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys by Margret McDonald
Glasgow Boys is a sweet, heart wrenching book about two conflicted boys trying to live life. Finlay has just left care as he is 18 years old and in university training to be a nurse. Heavily Scottish-accented Banjo is still in care, but only has a year left of the protection of his foster parents as he is 17. The book follows Finlay around uni, where he meets two girls and makes friends with them quick, and develops a crush on Akash, a boy from his past. Banjo goes to a new school and joins the athletics team, where he unfortunately makes lots of enemies.
Things seem alright so far don’t they? Well, every few switches between Banjo and Finlay, there is a section from their shared past. When they where both in a place for kids without foster parents yet. Past Finlay discovers that Banjo suffered child abuse, his now-behind-bars-parents beating him up and then giving him painkillers to knock him out, so he’s out of the way. Banjo suffered violent withdrawal, and as his parents used to beat him up, he often gets in fights so he can be punched.
Banjo starts working in a café because he wants to find a sense of community and normality, and Finlay gets his first job as a cleaner in primary schools, before school time. Both struggle with friendships and relationships, as their pasts of violence, abuse, neglect and loss stands in their way of love and affection- both ways.
This is an amazing book and it is definitely worth the read. This book will break your heart and then patch it up again- before re-breaking it. Glasgow Boys makes you realise how lucky we are to have a good family and friends, and makes you think about how many children go through life as Finlay or Banjo- but don’t get their happy ending. McDonald is a brilliant author who published a brilliant book, which I would rate 9.5/10, and is suitable for people who are 11+.
Cora
Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys is a sweet, heart wrenching book about two conflicted boys trying to live life. Finlay has just left care as he is 18 years old and in university training to be a nurse. Heavily Scottish-accented Banjo is still in care, but only has a year left of the protection of his foster parents as he is 17. The book follows Finlay around uni, where he meets two girls and makes friends with them quick, and develops a crush on Akash, a boy from his past. Banjo goes to a new school and joins the athletics team, where he unfortunately makes lots of enemies.
Things seem alright so far don’t they? Well, every few switches between Banjo and Finlay, there is a section from their shared past. When they where both in a place for kids without foster parents yet. Past Finlay discovers that Banjo suffered child abuse, his now-behind-bars-parents beating him up and then giving him painkillers to knock him out, so he’s out of the way. Banjo suffered violent withdrawal, and as his parents used to beat him up, he often gets in fights so he can be punched.
Banjo starts working in a café because he wants to find a sense of community and normality, and Finlay gets his first job as a cleaner in primary schools, before school time. Both struggle with friendships and relationships, as their pasts of violence, abuse, neglect and loss stands in their way of love and affection- both ways.
This is an amazing book and it is definitely worth the read. This book will break your heart and then patch it up again- before re-breaking it. Glasgow Boys makes you realise how lucky we are to have a good family and friends, and makes you think about how many children go through life as Finlay or Banjo- but don’t get their happy ending. McDonald is a brilliant author who published a brilliant book, which I would rate 9.5/10
Cora
Little Bang
Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain
Firstly, this book is for older readers, as it features lots about sex, teenage pregnancy, abortion and miscarriage. If you are not ok reading about these topics then this is not your book. With that aside this is a wonderful book set in Ireland 2017/18. The main to characters are Sid (a 16 year boy who going to fail all his GCSEs) and Mel (a 15/16 year old girl who is science obsessed and wants to study at Cambridge University). The story opens with an eventful New Year’s Eve. Mel has been invited with lots of other Y11 girls to a hilltop New Year Eve’s party with the Y11 guys. This is Sid and Mel’s first date, and when everybody’s left when it turns 2018, Sid and Mel have the hill and tent to themselves, without prying eyes. In the cold 2018 January night Mel and Sid have sex on their first date. Careful Mel asks Sid if he knows what he’s doing- he doesn’t have a condom, but he tells Mel it’s fine. Unfortunately though, Sid has no idea what he’s doing, and they end up in a toilet cubicle together, with Mel doing a pregnancy test. Guess what the results is- Mel’s pregnant.
Their futures are shattered. Mel can’t go to Cambridge, her Christian family is shaming her, and she feels like she’s being tossed up and down in a fast-flowing river. Sid is going job-hunting, applying to every and any job that doesn’t require qualifications to bring in money for his new family. Emotions run high, and the Ireland seems to have chosen the wrong time to start protests for legal abortion. Lots of people are talking about the protests, and Mel has to pretend everything’s normal and join in. Sid is pushing against his feminist mum to keep the baby, and starts using the situation to prove himself to his mum, which is something he does often.
I loved this book start to finish, as it is deeply moving and focuses on the topics many people are too scared or embarrassed to discuss. McCaughrain is a wonderful author who expresses the positives and negatives so well on paper. This is a must read book, and I would rate it 10/10. The age rating is important though, so I think it would have to 13+.
Cora
The Final Year
The Final Year follows Sam and his friends during their last year of high school, as they face the challenges of growing up, friendship, and the future. It’s a coming-of-age story set in a world full of uncertainty, exploring themes like personal growth, love, and loss. The book is not part of a series, but its emotional depth makes it an engaging read on its own.
I really connected with Sam because his struggles with the future and relationships felt real and relatable. The author’s writing captures the emotional highs and lows of senior year, especially the quiet, introspective moments. One scene towards the end had me genuinely moved, and I couldn’t put the book down.
While I enjoyed the book overall, some parts felt predictable, and I would’ve liked a few more surprises. Some character decisions were a bit frustrating, but that’s what made them feel authentic.
I’d recommend this to readers who are 8 or 9+ and enjoy coming-of-age stories with emotional depth, like The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Looking for Alaska. It’s a heartfelt and relatable read. Overall, I would rate this a 4.5 out of 5.
Trisha
The Things We Leave Behind
The Things We Leave Behind by Clare Furniss is a gripping emotional story about Clem, a 16-year-old girl who is forced to flee her home in the future England that is falling apart due to political unrest. Along with her sister, she escapes to Scotland, but their journey is filled with loss, trauma, and tough decisions about what it means to survive.
I particularly liked Clem because throughout this story she has experienced so much and shows bravery and strength when others couldn’t. This story didn’t quite interest me at the beginning but as I read on it found myself staying up late to find out what happened next. I felt that the stressful and chaotic scenes where the ones that I found were written best.
Something I disliked about the book was that it was quite hard to understand what was happening at the beginning therefore making me uninterested about finding out what happened next.
I would recommend this book to people 12+ who are drawn to dystopian literature with real world relevance. I would give this book an 8 out of 10.
Trisha
King of Nothing
Personally, I think this book was amazing. I really taught me the importance of friendships and how sometimes the people who you have never talked to could become one of the best friends you will ever meet and possible save your life in the most unexpected way. I really love the way that Nathanael Lessore writes his books. I love all the little details that are hilarious and that most people will understand (like the Eurovision one). I think that this book is the perfect balance of funny but also important teachings such as always help your family, because you never know when they could one day disappear out of your life. I really enjoyed this book! Overall I would rate it a 8/10.
Liya
Little Bang
Little Bang is a moving book about the complexities of teen pregnancy, societal expectations and parental pressure. The book is set in 2018 in Northern Ireland, in a time where abortion was still illegal. At the centre of the story are teenagers, Mel and Sid, who find themselves in an awkward situation after their first date. The story includes many themes including conflicting family pressures and personal dilemmas; this book harnesses the sad reality of grappling with the multifaceted decision of abortion. The book is written with dual perspectives, allowing the readers to experience the personal emotions felt by Mel and Sid and their contrasting views on their situation. Mel and Sid grow up from different backgrounds, Mel, lives with a religious family and Sid lives with a feminist mother whose knowledge is often underestimated. The narrative is down to earth, offering the emotional turmoil the characters endure. In conclusion, little bang is a memorable story that really makes the reader think about teenage pregnancies in a different light. It addresses the emotional and personal aspects of teen pregnancy but also addresses political rights and societal pressures that young people have when facing abortion. This book was hopeful and memorable, something I will never forget.
Mila
The Final Year
The final year by Matt Goodfellow is an exceptional, gripping and memorable book. The story is told from the perspective of a ten year old boy, Nate, who is experiencing his final year of primary school. The book walks the reader through many of the challenges that Nate faces including bullying, friendship difficulties and a family emergency in which his younger brother has to be rushed to hospital. The book is written in free verse which enhances the storytelling to make it an even more emotive narrative. This book explores themes of family, friendship and loss. Readers connect with Nate’s intense feelings of pain, anger and love as though the events were happening in front of them. To conclude this is a hopeful book about how school and home life become entangled and strong emotions are shown. This book is a tear jerker and one I will never forget.
Mila
The Final Year
Luke Palmer’s book, play is a compelling and engaging exploration of competition and friendship, set in the world of sports. At the centre of the story is a teenager named Jack. The novel explores the friendship between Jack and his friendship group of boys. This novel is especially good at depicting the character development of a group of boys that have their own issues and self-identity to struggle with as they grow up. Through this group of close-knit boys Palmer explores the challenges of friendship including jealousy and betrayal. As Jack becomes more consumed in his triumphs he must decide whether it is worth the cost of his closest friends. In conclusion, Play is not only a sports novel but also a story about identity and the complex nature of friendships. Perfectly representing the emotional cost of constantly striving for success. Through friendships Palmer explores themes of loyalty, jealousy. Play is a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading about the complexity of teenage friendships and the path to self-discovery.
Mila
Glasgow Boys
Glasgow boys by Margaret McDonald is by far my favorite book of the year, if not the best book I have read. It follows two boys around university age through many challenges and unexpected reunions, whilst they both try to outrun the past. They both find relationships, make new friends and try new things. It explores themes such as anger, happiness, new beginnings and forgiveness. It is written in a dual narrative, set through a coming-of-age lens focusing on the resilience and courage of the characters. The two boys are Banjo, still in high school learning to manage anger and adapting to a new foster home within the care system, and Finlay, new into nursing school and exploring who he is, and looking for a support network of friends whilst learning to trust and forget is relationship with Banjo.
In this book I really liked the use of language and the dual narrative, exploring the perspectives and lives of the two boys. I felt it really connected the bits of story and made it an easier read, as well as adding more to the story. By using the Scottish language and accent in Banjo’s story but not Finlay’s, it brings a sense of difference to the story, showing that there was a great connection and friendship, but that they are also different people.
I also enjoyed the mystery that the book builds, becase you see little snapshots of Finlay and Banjo’s life together later in the story, but at the start of the book I was trying to think of how Finlay and Banjo could know each other because they wouldn’t be sharing a book if they didn’t know who the other was. Personally, this is what made the book impossible to put down, because I was just desperate to know what the connection between the two of them was and every time you got a bit of the ‘three years ago’, It intrigued me so much and then I wanted to find out more.
I didn’t dislike anything about this book, which was very unusual for me but I would recommend this book to anyone, especially those who are figuring out who they are and I found this book really refreshing for my mind, because I could relate to some of the struggles of the characters and overall, I loved this book so much I could read it every day and never get tired of it.
Nellie
The Final Year
This is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of a boy called Nate who is just about to go into Year 6. He is a young carer, looking after his 8-year-old brother Jax and his 4-year-old brother Dylan, as their mother is a drunk alcoholic and smoker, who spends most of her time with her friend, Aunt San blowing their money on bingo, hoping for a big win that never comes. Aunt San is not actually related to the boys, but she steps in to help them a lot so she feels like an aunt.
When the classes for Year 6 are mixed up, Nate and his only friend Parker Smith think they will be in the same class – and they’re not. Nate is in the class with the new teacher, and Parker is with his bully (Turner). Over the summer holiday, Parker and Turner coincidentally end up in the same beach in Spain- and become friends. Nate and Parker’s friendship slip from their grasp as Parker turns on Nate. Nate starts to wonder whether their many years of friendship actually meant anything. Mr Joshua, Nate’s new teacher, introduces the class to Skellig, and encourages Nate to release his emotions through his poetry. Throughout the whole book, Mr Joshua is there, helping and supporting Nate through hard times. Nate bonds with Caleb, an artist, and they share a room in the Year 6 residential. Together, Nate and Caleb discover the wonders of Lake District, and they express it though poetry and art. When Dylan’s fate becomes murky, everyone’s bonds are tested, as people take sides; who wants to help Dylan, who doesn’t.
This book is written in verse- so I wouldn’t usually pick this book up to read, but I’m glad I read it. This book is filled with so much emotion I sometimes almost came to tears before it resolved itself. This book highlights the ups and downs of life and explores the life of a young carer, trying to get through Year 6 and his SATS. This is an incredible page-turner that would be thoroughly enjoyed by people aged 9-15, but I know some adults who enjoyed it too!
Cora
The Things We Leave Behind
Clare Furniss’ book The things we leave behind is a gripping story set in a dystopian England, and it follows key themes of love, safety, power and hope. It is a very emotional story which follows the path of Clem and her younger sister, Bille and their search for safety, recovery from what they have been through and a future of hope. The pace of the story is good, and the plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, with such a shocking plot twist at the end I had no idea of it, which shows what a skilled writer Clare Furniss is. The description is really good, and the emotion floods through every page, making all the characters feel relatable and real. My favourite part of the book was the end, with the plot twist, it almost made me cry because there are tearful reunions and memories of the past. I really enjoyed the ending because the book built up to it and it was an emotional rollercoaster, it tied up all the loose ends and left me feeling happy, but wishing the book would last for longer! I would definitely recommend this to and YA readers, or anyone interested in a suspenseful book of hope and loss. It would also be good for schools because of the dystopian world that it is set in, which is not that far off our own world and could be completely possible in just a few years. Overall, I loved reading this book, especially the plot twist, and would give it a 5/5 because of its cleverly structured, emotive and gripping narrative.
Lydia
The Final Year
This book is about a boy called Nate who is going into Year 6 and struggling to deal with how everything is changing. When he is put into his class for his last year at primary school, he is put in a different class to his best friend, who then starts hanging out with the bully. Nate has anger management problems, which he has been trying to control since Year 2, but on his own he is finding it difficult to continue doing so. A catastrophe then strikes at home, leaving him and his family in chaos.
I think the key theme in The Final Year is change, because the storyline is all about things suddenly and unexpectedly changing and having to adapt and figure things out. The problems that arise during the course of the book are fixed, slightly unrealistically, by the end – however, those that came into play beforehand are not, perhaps making the book slightly more relatable and real-world.
The author of this book writes the whole thing in verse, highlighting the fact that Nate sees things a bit differently. Be that as it may, the page layout could be confusing for some people to read, due to large spaces between words, and some pages only have five words on, in relatively small text, which I consider to be a very unsustainable use of paper. Matt Goodfellow also uses a lot of slang language, possibly to emphasise how Nate is still young and learning.
All in all, the story has a very captivating plotline, with multiple completely unexpected twists and turns. However, there are a lot of references to Skellig, which a reader may not understand if they haven’t read the book. Therefore, I would rate this book around 8/10.
Theodora
King of Nothing
King of Nothing is about a troublesome boy in Y9 called Anton in a South London secondary school. He and his friends (or mandem) are the kings of Y9 with their imposing reputations. Anton’s ‘rep’ is because of his dad- behind bars. The mandem is rude in lessons, disrespectful and they care only about their reputation. After Anton gets into serious trouble in school, his mum makes him go to a camp on Saturdays, called Happy Campers. Just as his luck would have it, the weird loser called Matthew from school is there too, and Anton worries about how long his reputation will last; will Matthew tell? He ends up going on an eventful camping trip with him and forms a new friendship with him, but he can’t be friends with Matthew and the mandem, so he has to make a choice- but the rough boys of his mandem are unpredictable and not a stranger to giving beatings to get their way.
This is a book that really makes you think about our world and the people in it- I think Lessore is trying to address the world’s issues in the book. It mainly touches on anti-feminist theories and problems with patriarchy, and addresses them well, as Anton learns about them and questions what he thinks is right. He changes to challenge them and shows that anyone can become a better person if they are given the chance, time, and helpful nudge in the right direction.
I would give this book a 9/10 rating, as it worded, written and thought through well, and on the whole is a very good story with lots of ideas. I think people 11 or over would really enjoy it.
Cora
The Final Year
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow was not what I expected. Seeing as it is a book in verse, I expected it to be a bit boring- it was quite the opposite. If it was not for Carnegie, I would not have picked up this book -as I do not usually read this style of writing- and I am very glad that I did. The story is in the narrator (Nate's) point of view. Nate is a 10-year-old (at the start of the book), young carer who looks after his two younger brothers; Jaxon (8) and Dylan (4). With neither of their fathers, Nate is left to look after his siblings most nights. He has had problems with his anger in the past but has leant to control them. When Year 6 starts, he begins to drift away from his best friend PS. As the year progresses, things begin to get harder for Nate. I won’t spoil anymore. Overall, I would rate this book an 8/10 because its really interesting and draws you in, however it does start to go a little quickly towards the end. I would recommend this book to ages 8+ because I feel like anyone over 8 could really enjoy it.
Ananyaa