Brock (Book 1 Of Brock) (Carnegie Medal Nominee 2014)

Description: A bleakly poetic tale about one boy's determination to save a badger cub from the destructive hands of a local gang. When Nicky finds Jezbo and his gang digging up a badger set, there's not a lot he can do to save them. But one badger cub has escaped - can Nicky save it? Another stunning and moving novella in the spirit of Kes from award-winning Anthony McGowan. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 12+

Literary Awards: Carnegie Medal Nominee (2014)

Review: "Brock is both timeless and current, and simple but beautifully written." - Library Mice blog "a very nifty read with some beautiful scene-setting and after the violence some truly heart-warming moments between both the human and non-human characters. Loved loved LOVED it." - Bookauhu's Book Nook blog "Brock is about as lean as you can get, using simple, effective language to keep a great pace while maintaining atmosphere, tension, action, empathy... look, it's just brilliant." - Colin Mulhearn "The author has created a range of characters who are believable - in fact many are probably recognisable from our own lives. The chapters, are relatively short, making it an ideal book for readers who do not have a long attention span or who struggle with reading. However the sparseness and the simplicity of the writing do not detract from what is a good, although at times bleak, story" - BOOKS TEENS AND MAGAZINES "Superb book about the beauty of nature and power of love - loved the book, great stuff." - Litforlads blog "This is a book about raw courage with can be both heart-breaking and uplifting - The characters in this book are so genuine, I feel as if I know them - I loved this book and so did my eight year old son. We both read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down once we had started." - The Book Bag blog "Few other writers for the young better understand the pull of the gang and the fear of the bully. It is about why animals are beyond our infantile projections of good and bad... but still deserve human compassion. Don't miss it." - Amanda Craig, The Times

Author Biography: Born in Manchester, Anthony McGowan went to school in Leeds. He has worked as a nightclub bouncer, civil servant, and Open University tutor in philosophy. He published his first novel for teenagers, Hellbent, in 2005. It was described by The Times as 'a brilliantly nauseating thriller'. His other books for teenagers include Henry Tumour and The Knife that Killed Me, the film of which is released in 2013. He now lives in north west London.