The List

By Author / Illustrator

Keith Gray, illus Tom Clohosy Cole

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Barrington Stoke

ISBN

9781800903203

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

04-07-2024

Synopsis

Can friendships survive as Denny relives the good times and rewrites the bad? A comic and compelling tale from award-winning author Keith Gray.

It's the end of the summer and Denny is having to move away with his mum now that she's found a good job, but he's not planning on leaving quietly. He's made a list of scores to settle and wrongs to right before he goes. He asks his best friend, Jake, to help.

Jake is absolutely gutted that Denny is leaving and worries what life will be like without him. Of course he'll do anything to help, no matter how weird or unrealistic the items on Denny's list might be. But the list is more powerful than either of them realise - it can make and break friendships.

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Reviews

Ruth

Driven by an imminent house move, Denny creates a list of things he needs to do before he leaves the area and invites his friend, Jake, to help him achieve them. The story describes the issues that have weighed on Denny's mind and together the friends settle scores and right wrongs before it is too late. Amongst other things, Denny is determined to seek revenge on Mal and to relive a kiss with Tabby. Instead of packing up his room the two friends set off on their final mission together.

Ostensibly a story about about a list of things to do, The List is also about friendship as Jake realises he has to come to terms with the loss of his mate in a matter of days and Denny learns the extent of what he is leaving behind.

Keth Gray has written a cracking story filled with action and empathy which will be instantly recognised by tween and teen readers. It is realistic and powerful yet funny and the story is pacey with a sense of the passage of time. The days until Denny's departure tick away and there is a countdown via chapter headings.

This new publication from Barrington Stoke offers readers another great accessible, dyslexia friendly read by contemporary author Keith Gray, which will become a popular loan in the library with secondary school students. Highly recommended.

120 pages / Reviewed by Ruth Cornish, school librarian