Rook

A poignant, beautifully written novella about growing up and family. A companion piece to the hugely successful Brock and Pike, McGowan warms hearts once more with the adventures of Nicky and Kenny.

When Kenny and Nicky rescue a rook left for dead, Kenny is determined to keep
it alive. Nicky doubts the scruffy bird will make it, but then Nicky has plenty else to worry about. This time, it’s not his dad or Kenny who need help – his dad’s sorting his life out and Kenny’s busy making plans with his new best mate. Now it’s Nicky’s turn to struggle – with a school bully, his first love and
the fact that everything is about to go very, very wrong.

Shortlisted for the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal.

Reviews

"Gritty, unflinching and authentic … with a life-affirming warmth" – Carnegie Judging Panel

"Lucid and sharp as broken glass, it’s a book filled with raw, elemental emotion" – Guardian

"Rook is an outstanding piece of writing … unflinching and authentic, funny and gritty and a treasured addition to my bookshelves" – Waterstones Bookseller

"[McGowan’s] ability to accurately represent the inner lives of young people is unparalleled" – The Bookbag

"[McGowan’s] writing manages to convey elements of anxiety, despair, fear and hopelessness but all is underscored with a dash of exuberant humour" – Letterpress Project

About the author

Anthony McGowan is the author of many critically acclaimed YA novels including Hellbent, Henry Tumour and The Knife that Killed Me. His Barrington Stoke titles include the Carnegie Medal shortlisted Rook and the 2020 Carnegie Medal winner Lark which the judges described as "a standalone masterpiece".