TGGS Carnegie Readers
Glasgow Boys
Glasgow Boys was a deeply heartwarming read with excellent characters and fantastic pacing. Having read many similar books, I was impressed to see that McDonald had created a refreshing and unique story, and was also pleased to find a gay romance that isn’t used as a third act plot twist in a cliched crime novel. I also loved the dual narrative and thought the flashbacks were amazingly gripping and effective. That being said, I did dislike the fact that Finlay’s sexuality was the reason he and Banjo fought: It felt out of character for Banjo and very lacklustre of the author to use Finlay’s sexuality as a plot device. Additionally, I found the style of writing (third person, present tense) a little difficult to adjust to. I would also say that, although the book was superbly endearing, it did not feel particularly realistic overall, and it glossed slightly over the nastier aspects of the care system. However, this was generally a brilliant read, and I would definitely recommend it to a friend.
Alice
All That It Ever Meant
This story showed a grieving family uproot their lives and go on a camping holiday to Zimbabwe a country they had strong roots in. This beautiful book explored family relationships incredibly well and its depiction of grief was exceptional. The characters felt very real and the ending was spectacular.
Emily
Play
Play is a stunning book told from multiple perspectives. It follows the story of four young boys struggling with various challengers. The story explores what happens when one boy ends up in over his head. The focus on relationships among friends is what makes this story super special. I feel it is a book that it is important for every teenager to read.
Emily
Little Bang
Little Bang is an exceptional story that follows the journey of a pregnant couple in Ireland at a time where abortion is illegal. It explores serious social issues such as teenage pregnancy and women’s rights in a way that feels very real. Mel and Sid are extraordinarily well written characters- they feel like two teenagers you may know. This adds a deeper layer to the story. The story is very relevant to events in the world today which makes it a very important read.
Emily