Pike

Family bonds are tested when a fishing expedition nosedives into near tragedy in this second Truth of Things novella from Carnegie Medal winner Anthony McGowan. When Nicky spots a glint of gold down in the murky depths of Bacon Pond, he can't ignore it. It could mean money for his family, and money helps patch things up when you haven't got any. But sometimes it's better not to look too deep. Not when there are local gangsters involved and tough questions about your family's past. Nicky knows it's a bad idea to go back - it could ruin everything. But if he can't leave it alone, will the secrets of Bacon Pond drag them all down? Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 9.

"McGowan writes in prose as spare and effective as that of Barry Hines ... there's an extraordinary depth and elegance to this story. An outstanding novel" - LoveReading4Kids "A gut-wrenching tale of crime and punishment makes [Pike] compelling reading" - New Statesman "Dazzlingly true to life, a succinct yet satisfying read" - INIS "McGowan ... manages to transform a relatively simple storyline into a gripping tale with a fresh outlook and edgy twist" - Reading Zone "This story is an object lesson in the art of compression. In only 128 pages it touches on natural history, sibling relationships, living with mental disability, split families, fear of outsiders, dealing with bullies and coping with guilt" - Books For Keeps.

Reviews

Anthony McGowan is one of the most widely acclaimed YA and children's authors in the UK, with novels including The Knife that Killed Me and The Dogs of the Deadlands, an FT and Guardian Book of the Year. 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".