2014 Secondary List
Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Back to Blackbrick
Cosmo's brother Brian died when he was ten years old. His mum hides her
grief by working all the hours God sends and Cosmo lives with his
grandparents. They've been carefree days as Granddad buys him a horse called
John and teaches him all he knows about horses. But the good times have to
come to an end and although he doesn't want to admit it, Cosmo knows his
Granddad is losing his mind. So on one of the rare occasions when Granddad
seems to recognise him, Cosmo is bemused that he gives him a key to
Blackbrick Abbey and urges him to go there. Cosmo shrugs it off, but gradually Blackbrick
draws him in... Cosmo arrives there, scared and lonely, and is dropped off at the crumbling
gates of a huge house. As he goes in, the gates close, and when he turns to look, they're
rusty and padlocked as if they haven't been opened in years. Cosmo finds himself face to
face with his grandfather as a young man, and questions begin to form in his mind: can
Cosmo change the course of his family's future?
Back to Blackbrick deals with the serious and complex emotions facing a young teenager as
he comes to terms with his grandfather's dementia. Sarah Moore Fitzgerald explores the
complex emotions surrounding Alzheimer's disease, but in the context of a warm and
humorous story exploring memory, family, separation and loss. A highly entertaining read,
this will also introduce young people to one of the greatest social, medical and economic
challenges of our time. (Dr Selina Wray, Dementia research scientist Alzheimer's Research
UK)
Fletcher Moss
The Poison Boy
Winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s Novel Competition
2013.
Poison boy Dalton Fly, a lowly food taster to the rich, has a lucky
escape after drinking laced wine. But his mate is less fortunate,
and Dalton wants answers. Who murdered his friend and what
were they were really after? With the help of aristocratic girl,
Scarlet Dropmore, whose life he unwittingly saved, he sets out to
rescue his city from the poisoners within.
It's a swashbuckling, sewer tramping, river swimming, mud swilling, punch flinging, pistol
shooting adventure story. Set at an indeterminate time - but one that recalls aspects of the
Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras - and in the fictional town of Highlions - a sort of
smaller, darker London type city - complete with river running through, the book has crime,
intrigue and plenty of surprises - as well as a bit of sweet and innocent first love.
The story is told in a succinct and uncluttered way which gives it the brisk pace. The plot is
essentially a quest - a quest for justice and to solve a mystery. The main character is Dalton
Fly who works as a poison boy. His work involves pre-tasting the food of the rich in order to
ensure its safe to be eaten. After his friend and fellow poison boy dies horribly having drunk
some poisoned wine, Dalton is on a mission to find the poisoner. The mission is dangerous,
shocking and throws up some unexpected truths for Dalton.
The characters are complete originals. Dalton is an endearing hero who is both brave and
vulnerable. His friends, acquaintances and adversaries are also well-drawn. His friends are
brought instantly to life, but his enemies are equally vivid.
Tim Lott
How to be Invisible
It was the 13th of September, 13 days after my 13th birthday, when I
first learned how to be invisible.
Strato Nyman couldn’t be more of an odd-one-out. He’s the only black
kid in Hedgecombe-upon-Dray, he knows more about particle physics
than his teacher, and he’s constantly picked on by school bully Lloyd
Archibald Turnbull. It’s only at home that he blends in to the
background – his parents are too busy arguing to notice he exists. But
one day, Strato picks up a dusty old book in a mysterious bookshop
and learns how to become invisible. He soon discovers that people aren’t always what they
seem … and realizes standing out isn’t so bad after all.
An interesting and easy to read book with some very funny moments – and showing a
compassion for others, particularly the reasons behind bullying. Strato learns to cope with
his changing life by being able to understand the motivations of others through his
invisibility. At the point he longer needs to be invisible – the book (which allowed him to
become invisible in the first place) ceases to work. Some easy to understand physics as well!
Chris Priestley
Mr Creecher
Billy is a street urchin, pickpocket and petty thief. Mister Creecher is a
monstrous giant of a man who terrifies all he meets. Their relationship
begins as pure convenience. But a bond swiftly develops between
these two misfits as their bloody journey takes them ever northwards
on the trail of their target . . . Victor Frankenstein.
... at its very core this book is about humanity and friendship and
spends a great deal of time questioning issues around these themes.
Creecher is a monster who is shunned by society forced to live on the
outskirts, never quite fitting in anywhere. His mission in life is to hunt
down his creator who has promised to build him a mate. To do this he recruits Billy, a
partnership which is initially built on fear and convenience, to help him track the mysterious
Mister Frankenstein in return for food and protection. As the story goes on this relationship
changes to one of friendship as the two set off on their journey to help Creecher.
Throughout the journey there are several questions raised about what it means to be
human as Creecher ponders what he is and what sort of life he should be entitled to. The
friendship between Creecher and Billy develops and changes as the book progresses.
Friendship, trust and betrayal combine to form a dangerous liaison in this moving and
frightening new book.
Jon Robinson
Nowhere
Nowhere is a fast-paced conspiracy thriller set in a dystopian
society and is a debut novel.
'No one's coming for us.
Not our families, not the police.
No one.'
Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere.
A great story with many different layers to explore.
“You won't be able to put it down! Not your typical YA book - completely original. Would be
great for teenagers/reluctant readers as is challenging and thought provoking. Doesn't give
everything away in the first book which leaves the reader wanting to read more of the
trilogy. Raises some interesting questions to be answered in the next book! Would definitely
recommend!”
A very cliff hanging ending after a whirlwind read of a book – this should have teenagers
unable to put it down and talking about what it all means. A lot of questions around the
‘what would I do in this circumstance’ type. You’ll find the ending very frustrating!