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Toffee by Sarah Crossan

Another hard hitting novel by Sarah Crossan. Written in verse it tackles abuse, relationships and mental health. Going through life trying to please others and trying to be who others want her to be the protaganist struggles to be herself. But is all this lying to herself and others along the way worth it?

This is an excellent YA novel. If you enjoyed One, this is definitely worth a try.

EK/StJ/15/05/20

The Goldfish Boy Lisa Thompson

Matthew is stuck in his bedroom after he refuses to venture out because of his severe OCD. He watches out of his window as a visiting grandchild next door disappears and people in the neighbourhood are blamed. Meantime Matthew sees a counsellor who he is able to tell the reasons for his terrible OCD.

Age 10+

CM/StP/20/4/20

A review of this book is also available in the mystery section

This shows how the theme of a novel can be interpreted differently by different readers without either category being wrong.

The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair by Lara Williamson

Like Lauren St John, Lara Williamson's writing just 'speaks' to you! From the first page to the last you are in the company of the most wonderful characters. In this book, two brothers, Beckett and Billy move house in the middle of the night with their dad; leaving everything behind - including their dad's girlfriend Pearl.

Beckett and Billy have no idea what is going on and are determined to get to the bottom of this unexpected turn of events. PLUS, they love Pearl and want to go back to their old house and the way things were.

There's lots of funny moments in this book but it also handles some upsetting issues with great sensitivity.

Adults beware, this is a very moving book.

Just Call Me Spaghetti-Hoop Boy by Lara Williamson

ebook available on borrowbox!

Oh my goodness, The Boy Who Sailed the Ocean in an Armchair made me weep, however, I was close to a complete breakdown with this book! It is a GREAT story but SO moving.

Basically, Adam Butters is adopted and due to a misunderstanding he thinks he needs to leave the family he has lived with since he was a baby. He loves them all dearly and he tries to work things out in a way which, he thinks, will make things easy for them.

Lara Williamson is such a fantastic writer, you live every moment with Adam, the narrator of the story.

Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Elizabeth Acevedo is a National Poetry Slam Champion. She has taken this experience and give The Poet X rhythm and style.

15-year-old Xiamora is of Dominican origin. Her very religious mother has high expectations of what Xiamora's future will hold but Xiamora wants to be herself! Keeping her poetry slamming secret from her mother, she begins to find herself and others like her. But keeping a secret is not just lying to her mother, it is also lying to herself.

EK/StJ/26/05/20

On The Come Up by Angie Thomas

ebook available on borrowbox!

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. She pours her anger and frustration at the world around her into her first song, which goes viral, but fame isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

This is Angie Thomas' second novel, and like the wonderful T.H.U.G. takes on some very difficult subjects - racism, prejudice, gang culture, double standards - with a wit and honesty that puts this as one of the best novels I've read in a long time.

MC/GroveAc

Hey Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka

Jarrett doesn't have it easy. Living with his grandparents he tries to come to terms with having a mother who is an addict and a father whose name and whereabouts are unknown. His grandparents try their best to look after a young child but by his teenage years, Jarrett, realises there is something missing.

This graphic memoir lends itself to using art as a form of coping and therapy.

EK/StJ/2020

Winter Girls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson does not tackle easy subjects. In Winter Girls a girl is found dead in a hotel room. This is not a page turning mystery or crime novel but an exploration of anorexia.

The girls had been known as "The Winter Girls", ghost like girls walking the corridors of the school. Sniggered at by the girls and ignored by the boys, Cassie and Lia were in competition to be the skinniest. After finding Cassie dead, her best friend, Lia, must now try and learn to live with anorexia and survive this awful disease.

This gritty novel does not shy away from the graphic reality of anorexia, Laurie Halse Anderson tackles it face on.

EK/StJ/1/6/2020

Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist by John Young

Well, what a whirlwind of emotions in one book! Who knew you could cover cancer, death, being in care, being in prison, running away and relationships all in one book!

This was a bold choice of subjects to choose in a debut novel but John Young managed to keep me gripped throughout the whole book. Based in Scotland, there were familiar places mentioned alongside the very gritty storyline.

By the end of the book you are routing for the main character, Connor, and desperately want a happy ending......

Suitable for ages 15 years +

MD 9/6/20

All the things that could go wrong by Stewart Foster

This story is told chapter about by two boys, Dan and Alex. Alex has OCD and struggles to get out of the bathroom at times whilst Dan is hiding a secret about his big brother that he doesn't want anybody to find out.

Dan and his pals at school bully Alex quite badly but unfortunately for the two boys they discover that their mothers know each other quite well. They force the boys together over the half-term holiday to work on building a raft that Dan and his big brother started.

Gradually Alex begins to let go of his obsessions whilst Dan learns to understand them and to realise that there is more to Alex than he supposed.

CM/StP/10/6/20

Ink by Alice Broadway

Your skin tells your story. There is no where to hide.

When Leora's father dies, she wants to preserve his life and have his tattoos made into a Skin Book. He deserves it. But his tattoos reveal a different story. Leora is determined to find out who her father really was.

EK/StJ/19/6/20

The 1000 year old boy by Ross Welford

When I read the title of this book, I was curious about what kind of story this would be - perhaps historical? Certainly the main character, Alfie Monk is over 1000 years old although he looks 11. He’s a ‘Neverdead’. However, when a fire destroys his home, Alfie realises that he needs to find a different way to live…and die. This is a story full of action, friendship and humour which I found hard to put down.

Recommended for 10 +

Inside my head by Jim Carrington

A story about life, families, school but mainly about bullying and how it can do so much damage. One of the main characters, Zoe, has recently moved to the area and in her first week of school so much happens but if it wasn't for her, who knows how different life could be for Gary?

You get a sense of how real the storyline might be for some readers.

MD BA 02/07/20

When Mr Dog bites by Brian Conaghan

The title of this book is quite a misleading one :)

The main character in this book, Dylan who is 16 years old, has Tourettes. Life is hard enough to navigate with just that but there is so much more that he has to deal with that reveals itself as the book goes along.

The story is based in the west of Scotland and as you read through the book you get to know his family and friends along the way as their lives weave their way alongside his.
There are lots of twists and turns in this book, some that might surprise you. This book was shortlisted for one of the main children's book awards in 2015.

The big thing to know about this book though is that it does contain some offensive language in the context of the storyline and a fair amount of swearing so we would recommend that this book is for ages 16 years and over.

If you do start reading it and it makes you feel uncomfortable or if you are unsure about it to begin with then please do talk to an adult.

MD BA 7/7/20

Picture me gone by Meg Rosoff

Mila and her father go from London to visit his friend Michael in New York. He has gone missing by the time they get there so they set off on a journey north to the America/Canada to try to find him. They meet his other son and mother staying in Michael's holiday home. Michael's first son was killed in a car accident a few years previously and new baby Gabriel has not filled the gap. This is a voyage of self-discovery for everybody although it is debatable whether anybody is better for it.

Written in an odd style with no speech marks it can be a bit tricky in places.

Suitable 12+

CM/StP/10/7/20

A tragic kind of wonderful by Eric Lindstrom

Mel's family move to a new place after the death of her brother. Mel builds a new life with new friends but has difficulty in forming relationships. This is because after her brother died she had a breakdown and developed bi-polar disorder. The family told nobody in the new area about this except her counsellor so some of her actions appear to be mighty odd!This novel demonstrates the key features of bi-polar disorder graphically whilst indicating that no two people have identical symptoms. I do not recommend it for under fourteens except as bibliotherapy.

Suitable age 14+

CM/StP/28/7/20

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt

Getting old now this novel stands the test of time. Dicey, James, Maybeth and Sammy are abandoned by their mother at a shopping mall. They decide to make their way across part of America to find their great Aunt Cilla. This is the story of their adventures and the people they meet along the way as well as what happens when they arrive at Aunt Cilla's that sends them back off in another direction. Will Dicey and the gang ever have a secure home again? 10/10

Suitable age 10+

CM/StP/11/02/2021

Dicey's song by Cynthia Voight

Following on from Homecoming we follow Dicey, James,Maybeth and Sammy Tillerman and their gran as they live together. As a tight close-knit family they face the trials of everyday life including a child who cannot learn and another who tries to be good with varying levels of success. Looking after them takes Gram out of her comfort, zone again and again. Will she manage to look after them all and the group of friends they attract.

A lovely story for mature readers with good empathy.

12+

CM/24/2/2021/StP

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