Lark

An uncompromising and heartbreaking end to the story of Nicky and Kenny, the beloved brothers of the Carnegie shortlisted Rook, beautifully told in McGowan’s gritty realism.

WINNER OF THE 2020 CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL.

Things are tense at home for Nicky and Kenny. Their mum's coming to visit and it will be the first time they've seen her in years. A lot has changed since they were little and Nicky's not so sure he's ready to see her again. When they head for a trek across the moors to take their minds off everything, a series of unforeseen circumstances leaves the brothers in a vulnerable and very dangerous position. There might even be a chance that this time not everyone will make it home alive…

Reviews

"A standalone masterpiece" – Chair of Judges, CILIP Carnegie Medal

"Heart-rending but perfectly pitched … life-affirming" – The Guardian

""Funny, scatological, terrifying, heartwarming and heartbreaking" – Sunday Times

“Never have three sparsely written novellas packed such an emotional punch. Not a word is wasted and, for me, they are the absolute definition of the word ‘classic’” – Phil Earle, Guardian

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".